1. SW Asia
An Overview

2. Global Intersection
This region lies at the crossroads of 3 continents: Africa, Europe, & Asia
All 3 meet at the Mediterranean Sea and have long been linked by trade

3. Physical Features

4. A. Arabian Peninsula The largest peninsula in the world
More than 1 million square miles

5. B. Dead Sea
Forms part of the border between Israel and Jordan

6. B. Dead Sea
At 1,349 feet below sea level, it is the lowest place on dry land
9 times as salty as the ocean
As a result, almost nothing can survive in its waters

9. C. Caspian Sea
The world’s largest inland body of water

10. C. Caspian Sea
It was once part of the ocean, so its waters are salty, but not as salty as the ocean due to freshwater inflow
As a result, both freshwater and saltwater fish survive here

11. D. Tigris & Euphrates River Valley
Originate only 50 miles from one another in Turkey.
Join together in Iraq
Empty into the Persian Gulf
Noah’s Ark

12. D. Tigris & Euphrates River Valley
One of the most fertile river valleys in the world.

13. Climate & Vegetation

14. E. Climate
Almost entirely arid and semiarid climate

15. F. Vegetation
Desert scrub covers the majority of the region

16. Human Geography

17. Economic Activity

18. G. Natural Resources Oil
SW Asia has the world’s largest known oil reserves
Countries here have grown rich with such great demand

19. Over 60% of the world’s oil reserves are found here.

20. G. Natural Resources Water Lacks water
Limits commercial farming and livestock raising

22. Culture

23. H. Population 550 million 10% of world’s population
Fast growing population

24. H. Population
About urban and rural

25. I. Religion 92% Islam 5% Christianity 1% Judaism 85-90% Sunni Muslim
10-15% Shi’ites
5% Christianity
1% Judaism

26. Early History

27. J. Mesopotamia
Greek for “land between two rivers”

29. J. Mesopotamia
Early civilization started here - often called “the cradle of civilization.”
Some of the world’s first cities arose here.
Farming began here some 7,000 years.

30. K. Religion
Birthplace of Judaism, Christianity, Islam