1. Agenda: Resources of the Middle East Part 1: Oil and the Middle East
Warm Up: 1. Which countries have the largest reserves of natural gas and oil? Name the top four. 2. In which world region are these found? 3. Around which body are all these countries located?
Unit 3
Melissa Davis
2010

2. Part 1 Standards
SS7G7a. Explain how the distribution of oil has affected the development of Southwest Asia (Middle East).
SS7E6c. Explain the primary function of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
SS7E7c. Explain the role of oil in the economies Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

3. Major Resources of the Middle East
Petroleum
Water
Cotton
Natural Gas
Coal
Iron

4. Two of the most important natural resources are: Natural gas Oil
SS7G7a. Explain how the distribution of oil has affected the development of Southwest Asia (Middle East).
Two of the most important natural resources are:
Natural gas
Oil
They bring wealth into the region and are needed by much of the world
Over half the world’s known oil reserves are located in the Middle East.

5. Oil Reserves vs. Economy
The Southwest Asian countries with the largest reserves of natural gas and oil are:
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Iraq
Kuwait
These countries have seen tremendous growth in national wealth and an improved standard of living in the past 50 years.
Some other countries have smaller reserves, especially around the Arabian Gulf.
Those countries without the reserves have had a much harder time improving living conditions for their people.
This difference has lead to much conflict.

6. SS7E6c. Explain the primary function of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
In the 1960’s several of these countries joined with other oil-rich countries around the world to form the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
They wanted to work together to try and regulate the supply and price of oil.
The first 5 countries were:
Kuwait
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Venezuela

7. These countries along with others who have joined since 1960, continue to decide how much oil they will produce.
That determines the price on the world market.
When they produce less, the price on the world market goes up.
When the increase production, the price on the world market goes down.

8. SS7E7c. Explain the role of oil in the economies Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Oil is one of the most important and valuable natural resources in the Middle East.
Oil and natural gas are considered fossil fuels which means they were created centuries ago.
They are also non-renewable natural resources which means they cannot be replaced
Most of the world’s industrial nations depend on a steady supply of both resources
The US imports over half of its supply, almost 18 million barrels every day.

9. Israel has very few natural resources and practically no oil.
For this reason, countries in the Middle East have a steady market for all the oil and natural gas they produce.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are two of the world’s largest suppliers / producers of oil.
Over half of the world’s known supply comes from them.
Israel has very few natural resources and practically no oil.
They have a high industrial economy, so the world price of oil has a huge impact on their economy.

10. Part 2: Water and the Middle East
Part 2 Standards
Part 2: Water and the Middle East
SS7G7b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of the Middle East have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.
SS7G6a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation and drinking water.

11. One of the 504 dams in Turkey
SS7G7b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of the Middle East have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.
WATER
Only 3 countries in the Middle East do not need to depend on outside fresh water:
Iran, Egypt, and Turkey
2/3 of the Middle East depend on water from outside their borders
Jordan is one of the most water scarce countries in the world.
One of the 504 dams in Turkey

12. Conflicts over Water
The Euphrates and Tigris provides water for much of Syria and Iraq however, they begin in Turkey.
Turkey has been trying to build hydroelectric dams which would reduce the water supply to the other 2 countries.
Syria built its own dams in response cutting off even more water to Iraq.

13. Conflicts (continued)
The Jordan River provides water for both Jordan and Israel.
In the 1960’s, the Arab nations tried to divert water away from Israel by cutting off the supply of the Jordan River.
Because Israel
controls Golan
Heights, Jordan was
unable to carry
out this plan.

14. The Middle East has a number of very large desert areas
SS7G7b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of the Middle East have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.
DESERT
The Middle East has a number of very large desert areas
The great Syrian Desert
Rub al-Khali or “empty Quarter”
These deserts provide natural barriers against invasion

15. The deserts have also led to a way of life that developed around the need to survive in such harsh surroundings.
These people are known as “Bedouins” or desert nomads
They survive and make a living by
Living in tent camps
Surviving as sheep and camel herders
Trading animals and handmade goods

16. The countries of the Middle East have a very hot and dry climate.
Four large oceans or bodies of water border the Middle East.
Mountain ranges close to many of the coastal areas block rains coming from these bodies of water and result in much of the interior being desert.
Because there are coastal areas as well as a number of large rivers, other parts of the region have enough water to support agriculture and towns and cities of significant size.

17. Many people in the Middle East practice subsistence agriculture – growing small amounts of crops to take care of local needs.
There is also some commercial agriculture – growing large amounts of crops to ship and sell to other countries but this depends on irrigation and water availability.
Textiles, cotton, fruits, and nuts are widely grown or produced throughout the Middle East.

18. There are many serious environmental problems in the Middle East.
SS7G6a. Explain how water pollution and the unequal distribution of water impacts irrigation and drinking water.
There are many serious environmental problems in the Middle East.
The water supply is very limited and finding fresh water for farming or drinking is a struggle throughout the region.
Israel has very few fresh water sources and the Sea of Galilee provides its primary supply of drinking water.

19. Water pollution caused by oil spills from drilling, refineries and shipping sometimes leak into rivers and water supplies.
This impact irrigation and drinking water because it causes health hazards.
Some countries are adjusting/adapting to the limited amount of water resources available by building desalination facilities to remove salt from salt water.