Central & Southwest AsiaMs. BielefeldSpring 2012

The Caucasus NationsNamed after the Caucasus Mnts.

Georgia—produces many crops, coal, oil, & natural gas

Armenia—mountainous & landlocked

Azerbaijan– rich deposits of oil & natural gas; 50% of people live in rural areas

Central Nations--Physical

Terrain varies from mountains in the SE to flatter land in the west

Mostly arid or semiarid

In Kazakhstan, steppes create a rich topsoil called chernozem

Parts have large reserves of oil & natural gas

Central Nations--Cultural

Mix of people & Russians form a large minority

Most people are Muslim

Most speak Turkic languages, but Tajiks speak a language related to Farsi, the language of Iran

Mosque in Kyrgyzstan

Central Nations--Economy

Traditionally nomadic herders, who lived in yurts, or portable round tents

Under Soviet control, people forced to settle & work on gov’t farms or in factories

Since independence:More development & growth of citiesTourism is improvingMany still live in rural areas & farm

Environment

Canals built during Soviet rule diverted water & now the Aral Sea has lost 2/3 of its volume & become saltier

Desertification

Pesticides & fertilizers contaminated water & soil

Southwest Asia-- “The Middle East”

Crossroads of Europe, Africa & Asia— is a “hot spot”

Repeatedly conquered, so many ethnic/religious groups live here

Islam conquered the region & most adopted it

Still Christians & Jews

SW Asia--Issues

1) Access to water—setting up desalination plants to remove salt from the ocean water for drinking

2) Middle East Issue—Palestinians want own gov’t, but Israel wants to control the area

3) Disagreement between Islamic Sects—Iraq, Lebanon, Syria

4) Lack of Natural Resources—agricultural lands & forests

Jerusalem

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Caucasus Mountains, Georgia

Ancient ruins in Palmyra, Syria

Dubai, UAE