1. Introduction to the Regions of Asia & the Middle East
Geography
Introduction to the Regions of Asia & the Middle East

2. Regions of Asia Middle East South Asia East Asia North Asia – Russia
Turkey / Lebanon / Israel / Jordan / Afghanistan / Iran / Iraq / Syria / Saudia Arabia / Kuwait / Yemen / Oman / Qatar / UAE (United Arab Emirates) / Bahrain
South Asia
India / Pakistan / Nepal / Bhutan / Bangladesh / Sri Lanka / The Maldives
East Asia
China / Taiwan / North Korea / South Korea / Japan
North Asia – Russia
Central Asia – The “-Istans”
South Eastern Asia – Vietnam / Laos / Kampuchea / Thailand / Myanmar / Indonesia / Malaysia / Philippines

3. The Middle East

4. Major Landforms : Mountains
Mountains block rainfall & provide natural barriers for protection from attack.
Mountains in the Middle East located in the North (Turkey) and North East (Iran / Afghanistan)
Major Mt. Ranges:
Taurus (Turkey)
Mt. Ararat (North Eastern Turkey)
Zagros (Iran, Iraq)
Elbuzr (Iran)
Asir (Saudi Arabia)

5. Major Landforms : Seas
Seas - Provide trade routes to exchange products and ideas throughout Mid East (Note: A Sea is SALT water…) Major Seas: - Mediterranean (West) - Black & Caspian (North) - Arabian Sea (South) - Red Sea (South West) - Dead Sea (West)

6. Major Landforms: Rivers
River - fresh water source provide trade routes / fertile soil / irrigation Flooding of rivers = chronic problem Major rivers: - Nile (Egypt) - Runs South to North - Tigris (Fertile Crescent) - Euphrates (Fertile Crescent)

7. Major Landforms : Deserts
Deserts - Dry / Barren area of land without water or vegetation Major Deserts: - Rub al Khali - (empty quarter) Southern S.A. Peninsula - Arabian Desert -Arabian Peninsula - Sahara - Worlds largest Desert Northern Africa

9. Strategic Location The Importance of Water
Commands major trade routes over land & seas
- Trade Promotes the flow of wealth / knowledge / ideas - Rich Cities & Economic Advantages
Makes the Middle East susceptible to attack
The Importance of Water
Water is scarce in the Middle East
Majority of population lives near oasis / along rivers / near the coast
Settlements are scattered - lead to the development of many separate nations

10. The Middle East: Cross Road of Peoples
Diversity
Connects 3 Continents  Asia / Africa / Europe
15 Countries
350 Million People
Meeting ground for many cultures
7 Major Languages - Turkish - Arabic - Kurdish - Persian - Hebrew - Greek - Armenian
3 Major Religions - Judaism - Christianity - Islam

11. Lifestyles Bedouins = nomadic herders & farmers Tribal society
Family is everything
Protection
Access to water
Modern Bedouin
Only 3% of the population
New political boundaries have limited wandering
Most jobs in cities / oil fields / army
Even so…cultural connection to family / tribe is still strong

12. Living in the desert…
Today modern cities can survive in the desert…if there is money to import the water (i.e. Kuwait)
Older cities built to fit the environment…
Protect against invasion and the sun
Narrow streets / thick walls / inner open courtyards / awnings along streets to provide shade