1. The Geography of Southwest Asia

2. This region contains the greatest concentration of arid regions in the
World (Deserts and Steppes) – Hence “Desert World”, “Arid World”

3. Egypt’s Nubian Desert begins right at the edges of the Nile.

4. The Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) is considered the most
forbidding desert in the world. Usually the world’s hottest
region. The first non native to cross was the legendary
“Lawrence of Arabia”. Muslims consider this desert to
be the “Garden of Allah”.

5. Iran’s Dasht-e-Kavir (Salt Desert)
resembles USA Great Salt
Lake, with its surface salts.

6. Causes of Deserts:
Orographic Barriers – Prevent moisture from reaching area
Pressure Cells – High pressure prevents moisture from reaching area.
Desertification – Caused by natural or human activities.

7. Egypt – Fayhaum Oasis – Ancient forms of irrigation still used
today.

8. Aqueducts have been used since ancient times to
move water from sources to places needed.
Water Storage (reservoirs and cisterns) found in
many desert locations.

10. Cradle of Civilization
Tigris
Euphrates
Tigris and Euphrates are SW Asia region’s major water source - form area known as Mesopotamia
Shatt-al-Arab

11. Euphrates
Baghdad
Tigris
Tigris and Euphrates both begin in Turkey. Today
Turkey is working to create a series of dams on
Both rivers – downstream users nervous.

12. Iraq has drained the marsh
And most of the Marsh
Arabs have left or been
Driven away.
Before the Tigris and
Euphrates reach the
Persian Gulf, they form
A marshland. For
Thousands of years,
Home to the Marsh
Arabs.

13. 1976 Satellite View – Red is water area
2000 Satellite View – Marshes Nearly Gone

14. The Persian Gulf, under it, around it is
The world’s largest petroleum reserve.
Strait of Hormuz – Strategic passage
In and out of the Persian Gulf.

15. Dardanelles
Bosporus Strait
Sea of Marmara
Dardanelles Strait
Turkey controls one of the world’s most important group
Of waterbodies – the Dardanelles, the sea of Marmara,
And the Bosporus. Black Sea to Mediterranean Sea access.

16. Red Sea (actually drowned
Portion of the Great Rift
Valley) – the separation between
Asia and Africa.

17. Dead Sea – World’s Lowest Location – End Point of
The Jordan River – Part of the Great Rift Valley.

23. ELBURZ Elburz are SW Asia’s highest mts.,
Mt. Demavend Here Is This Region’s
Highest Location.
ELBURZ

24. ZAGROS The Zagros Mts Form The Southern Border of Iran and
The Iranian Plateau.
ZAGROS

25. PONTIC ANATOLIA TAURUS
Turkey is the Anatolian Plateau bordered north by the Pontic
Mts., south by the Taurus Mts. Mt. Ararat, rumored site of
Noah’s Ark is here. Turkey is headwaters of Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers.
Pontic Mts.
Anatolian Plateau
Taurus Mts
PONTIC
ANATOLIA
TAURUS