Physical Geography of Northern Africa & Southwest Asia
Mountains Atlas Mountains in Northern Algeria and Morocco Thorus
Mts in Southern Turkey Elburz & Zagros Mts. In Iran Golan
Heights in Israel
Sinai Peninsula located between Egypt and the Arabian
Peninsula
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Asia Minor and Cyprus: Pontic Mountains north of North
Anatolian Transform Fault Slippage and earthquakes (August 1999)
Taurus Mountains on southern side of Asia Minor
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Iranian Plateau and Ranges: Compression, subduction between
Arabian plate and Iranian sub-plate Creation of Zagros Mountains
Makran Range farther SE as uplifted crust Up folding of Elburz
Mountains and Kopet Mountains between Iranian sub- plate and
Eurasian plate Connected tectonic activity and volcanoes
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Atlas Mountains The Atlas Mountains of North Africa, the
physiographic base of the settled Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco and
Tunisia), are also a part of the Alpine System. The Atlas Mountains
receive an average rainfall of 750 mm (30 inches), something
unusual for this region. The role of altitude is clear. Even 240 km
(150 miles) into the interior, the slopes of the Atlas receive more
than 250 mm (10 inches) of rainfall.
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Atlas Mountains Continued SSeparates the northern moist
Mediterranean climate from the arid south.
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Taurus and Zagros Mountains Taurus Spreads across Turkey Runs
east-west along the northern edge of Turkey Highest Point- Mt.
Ararat-16, 583 ft., Biblical historians believe Noahs Ark landed
here. Zagros Extends through southwestern Iran, and through
northern Iraq Highest point- ZardKuh, 14, 921 ft.
Physical Geography of Northern Africa & Southwest Asia
Deserts The Sahara Desert The Saudi Arabian Desert The Libyan
Desert Negev Desert
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26 NEGEV DESERT
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Where is the driest desert? 27
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Sandy Deserts Rub al-KhaliArabian Peninsula desert, known as
the Empty Quarter 250,000 square miles, with dunes as high as 800
feet 10 years can pass without rain Nearby An-Nafud Desert contains
the occasional oasis -desert area where underground spring water
supports vegetation Syrian Desert is between Lebanon, Israel,
Syria, and the Fertile Crescent Israels Negev Desert produces crops
through irrigation
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Two ways of lifenomadic and sedentarydeveloped in the desert.
Nomadic life- people moved from place to place within tribes for
protection, and as the seasons changed. Sedentary- people settled
in oases, where they could farm. These settlements often became
towns. Towns became centers of trade. Many had a souk, a market or
bazaar, where goods were traded.
Slide 30
Nomadic Life: Bedouins Many people in North Africa and the
Middle East still live a nomadic lifestyle. Nomads live on the
Arabian Peninsula and in the Sahara Desert. 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
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Desert Bedouins
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Rub al-Khali: The Empty Quarter
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Rub Al-Khali Size of Texas One of largest sandy deserts in
world It is the largest area of continuous sand in the world.
Surface temps, can reach 150 Very Arid 10 years may pass w/out rain
No permanent streams exist
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The Rub 'al-Khali, or "Empty Quarter" is a large desert in
Saudi Arabia. It is the largest area of continuous sand in the
world. The climate is extremely arid. Few places receive more than
7 inches of rain a year, and no permanent streams exist. Summer
temperatures reach as high as 130 F in some areas.
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Arabian Peninsula Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United
Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, Yemen Small population Lack of water BUT
lots and lots of oil!!! Birthplace of Islam Very dry, sandy, &
windy Wadis- riverbeds that remain dry except for the rainy
season.
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The Arabian Peninsula is primarily steep and has a desert
climate
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Salt Deserts In Iran, high mountains block rain; dry winds
increase evaporation Loss of moisture in soil leaves chemical
salts, creates a salt flat (a flat expanse of land covered in salt
and other minerals; usually shines white under the sun) Irans salt
flat deserts: Dasht-e Kavir in central Iran Dasht-e Lut in eastern
Iran Land is salt-crusted, surrounded by salt marshes, its very hot
Almost uninhabited, its a barrier to easy travel across Iran
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Iranian Salt Flat
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Sahara Desert:
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Sahara Desert Location Atlantic Ocean on the west Atlas
Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea on the north Red Sea and Egypt
on the east Sudan and the valley of the Niger River on the
south.
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The Sahara The Sahara is the worlds largest desert, stretching
3.5 million square miles. Very dry, so very few people live there
Averages less than five inches of rain each year. Temperatures
there can run to the extreme freezing at night Can be more than 130
degrees Fahrenheit at the peak of day. Nearly every settlement in
the Sahara is located near an oasis, a wet and fertile area in a
desert where a spring or well provides water. Common features in
the Sahara include broad gravel plains, tall sand dunes, and dry
streambeds.
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Breeding Areas of Desert Locusts
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Swarms of Desert Locusts! Locusts Swarm the Pyramids Complex at
Giza! Israel Hit By Worst Locust Plague Since the 1950s!
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Sahel: - Area separating the Sahara from the tropical
rainforest of Africa.
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Pair-Share What has surprised you about the desert of the
Middle East region? Why?
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Completed Map Tigris River Nile River Euphrates River Jordan
River Persian Gulf Arabian Sea Mediterranean Sea Indian Ocean Red
Sea Black Sea Gulf of Aden Strait of Hormuz Suez Canal Dardanelles
Strait Atlantic Ocean Gulf of Oman Caspian Sea Arabian Desert Negev
Desert Sinai Desert Rub al-Khali Atlas Mts. Elburz Mts. Taurus Mts.
Zagros Mts. Iranian Plateau Anatolian Plateau Caucasus Mts. Hejaz
Mts. Sahara Desert Libyan Desert
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The Natural Resources of the Middle East
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Major Resources of the Middle East Petroleum Water Cotton
Natural Gas Coal Iron
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Oil
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Petroleum- remains of plants & animals, formed from
pressure & heat over millions of years. Oil is not in big pools
under the ground, it is trapped in the pores of rocks. Taken out of
ground by pressure Economy oil dominated industry
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Crude Oil- unprocessed petroleum Refinery- converts crude oil
into useful products like gasoline & kerosene
Slide 56
Oil Oil is certainly the most important resource of North
Africa and Southwest Asia. Deposits are concentrated around the
Persian Gulf. It is the most economically important export of the
realm. Between 1994-1996, on average, these countries together
produced 28.0 percent of the worlds total output. Saudi Arabia
ranked as the worlds leading producer with 13.1 percent followed
by: Iran with 5.8 percent; the United Arab Emirates with 3.6
percent; Kuwait with 3.3 percent; and Libya with 2.2 percent (Table
6.2). Additional detailed statistics on the worlds leading oil
countries are shown in Table 6.3. In 1997, the world estimates in
petroleum reserves were 1,160,069,500,000,000 barrels. These
countries collectively account for 56.3 percent of the world's
total reserves. Saudi Arabia has 22.6 percent, Iraq 9.7 percent,
Kuwait 8.2 percent, Iran 7.8 percent, U.A.E. 5.5 percent, and Libya
2.5 percent.
Slide 57
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.
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Reserves Until the Gulf War, Kuwait had a 21 billion- barrel
proven reserve. Iraq has a 7 billion barrel proven reserve.
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Saudi Arabia Have a proven 200 year reserve. The Saudi
Government could purchase the entire National Football League
(contracts, salaries, stadiums, etc.) with 6 weeks of their oil
reserves.
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Kuwait: An Island Floating on a Sea of Oil Kuwait City
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Oil
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World Oil Reserves
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Saudi Oil Fields & Refineries
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Importance of 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 worlds largest suppliers /
producers of oil. Over half of the worlds 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.
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Importance of Oil 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 worlds industrial nations depend on
a steady supply of both resources The US imports over half of its
supply, almost 18 million barrels every day.
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Oil Transport
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How are oil and gas transported?
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Saudi Pipeline
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Oil Tanker (Knock Nevis)
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Effects of Oil
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However, oil has also been a source of conflict. Over the last
few decades, major conflicts have erupted in the Middle East.
Issues that have contributed to the conflicts include the presence
of huge oil reserves, the growth of Islamism, and the conflict
between Israel and its neighbors. About two-thirds of worlds known
oil reserved located in Middle East Reserves have been great source
of wealth for Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, other countries
Most members of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Oil
in the Middle East Regional Issues OPEC attempts to regulate
production of oil exports to maximize revenues Oil revenues allowed
Middle East governments to modernize countries, promote
industrialization, economic, social development Oil Revenues
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Importance of Oil Oil as source of conflict in Middle East Some
governments have used oil revenues to build up military, maintain
power, threaten neighbors Oil wealth has caused internal clashes
within countries, societies Regions strategic importance as source
of oil has led outside nations to become involved in Middle Eastern
affairs, politics
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73 THE IMPACT OF OIL HIGH INCOMES MODERNIZATION
INDUSTRIALIZATION REGIONAL DISPARITIES FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN THIS
REALM INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Slide 74
Oil Industries Disputes over access to other natural resources,
like oil, also cause conflict. The Persian Gulf has the largest
source of oil in the world. The countries that border the Persian
Gulf also have a large oil industry. Many wars have been fought
over oil in Southwest Asia. These wars have had a major impact on
the environment.
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75 Lands of Wealth and Poverty The Geography of Fossil Fuels
Oil unevenly distributed in the area Saudi Arabia, Iran, U.A.E.,
Libya, Algeria contribute significantly to oil production, while
Morocco & Sudan have few developed reserves Region has 7% of
the worlds population; holds 68% of the worlds proven petroleum
reserves Regional Economic Patterns Higher-Income Oil Exporters
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, U.A.E. Cultural landscape
reshaped because of oil wealth Not all benefit rural Shiite Muslims
and foreign workers
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76 Lands of Wealth and Poverty (cont.) Regional Economic
Patterns (cont.) Lower-Income Oil Exporters Algeria: oil and
natural gas are its top exports; but political instability remains
a problem Iran: huge oil reserves, but long war with Iraq (1980-
90), & fundamentalist government withdrawal from world trade
under have lowered living standards Prospering Without Oil Israel
has highest living standard in the region Turkey has a diversified
economy; has seen growth Economic reforms in Tunisia Lebanon has
potential for prosperity through tourism &
telecommunications
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77 Natural Gas Oil Deposits
Slide 78
The Oil Curse The Resource Curse Prone to authoritarian rule,
slow growth, corruption and conflict. Resources used to finance
armies, corruption and patronage. Oil is a good example.
Modernization High incomes. Industrialization. Regional and
national disparities (oil wealth distribution). Migration Brought
populations from outside the realm. Foreign incursions
Slide 79
What is done with Oil Wealth? Oil rich nations typically
provide healthcare and improved schooling. However those segments
of the population not employed in the oil industry tend to have
lower standards of living. Girls school in Saudi Arabia Bedouin in
S.Arabia
Slide 80
Persian Gulf War Over Oil Much of the oil refining machinery in
Iraq was badly damaged in the Persian Gulf War, in 1991. The Iraqi
government did not repair the equipment that makes refining oil
safer for the environment. For years, pollution from Iraqi oil
refineries leaked into the water supply and in the air. Today, the
Iraqi oil industry is not productive because of the current war in
Iraq. However, many of Iraqs oil refineries were destroyed and
burned during the war, so that the air was polluted.
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Oil in War During the first Gulf War, Iraq used pollution as a
strategy for fighting. Iraqi soldiers dumped over 300 gallons of
oil into the Persian Gulf. They also burned hundreds of oil wells
in order to keep the U.S. from taking control of their oil
industry.
Slide 82
Oil Pollution Oil is the basis of most of the economy of the
Middle East, but pollution from the oil industry is one of the
biggest threats to its environment. This pollution endangers the
water supply in particular. Since there is not much fresh water in
the region, these environmental problems directly affect the lives
of Middle Easterners.
Slide 83
Oil Pollution For years, pollution from Iraqi oil refineries
leaked into the water supply and in the air. Today, the Iraqi oil
industry is not productive because of the current war in Iraq.
However, many of Iraqs oil refineries were destroyed and burned
during the war, so that the air was polluted.
Slide 84
Oil Spills are a risk when transporting oil in narrow straits
or around reefs Largest in U.S. History is the Exxon Valdez spill
in 1989
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OPEC
Slide 86
In 1960, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia
founded OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) in an
effort to dictate oil prices. Later additions included Algeria,
Ecuador, Nigeria, Gabon, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar,
and Libya. This 13-member cartel was designed to control world
pricing and production of a single commodity, oil. Currently, OPEC
has 11 members after the withdrawal of Ecuador and Gabon.
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Problems with unequal oil distribution: Oil producing country
(OPEC) can raise prices, and cut off oil supply Oil spills
Slide 89
These 12 countries (from 3 different continents) produce 1/3
the worlds oil and set the price of oil Members: AlgeriaIranIraq
KuwaitQatarSaudi Arabia LibyaNigeriaUnited Arab Emirates
EcuadorVenezuelaAngola
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Top Five Oil Producing Countries: -Saudi Arabia -Iraq -Kuwait
-Iran -United Arab Emirates
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Top Oil Consuming Countries -United States -Russia -Japan
-Germany -China
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Where America gets Oil
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INCOME LEVELS
Slide 94
Pair-Share After what we have learned about the geography of
the Middle East, which resource do you think is more precious and
important---fresh water or oil? Why?