Physical Geography of the Middle East中东自然地理.pptxVIP

Physical Geography of the Middle East Who cares?! Why does it matter?! Who cares?! Hmmm…. This is your land to live on… …How would this change your life? Southwest Asia/Middle East Desert Region Example: Rub al Khali – “Empty Quarter” = Why does this matter? Lack fresh water Limits work/economic activity Impacts where people live…near rivers, coastal areas When was the last time you aspired to herd animals?! ? One of these is not like the others? Which one is it?! 1 3 2 Euphrates Jordan Chattahoochee Southwest Asia/Middle East Region that lacks fresh water Example: Saudi Arabia does not have a single permanent source of fresh water! = Why does this matter? Their 3 major rivers (Tigris, Euphrates, and Jordan Rivers) flow through several countries, so this creates tension about who gets how much water Southwest Asia/Middle East Region surrounded by salt water = Why does this matter? Wealthy countries can turn salt water into fresh water through a process called desalination They can ship goods easily to other parts of the world Southwest Asia/Middle East Region rich in BLACK GOLD! (Petroleum) = Why does this matter? Petroleum is valuable AND is a limited resource…only so many places have it BUT everyone needs it! Most of the world’s oil is found around the Persian Gulf region Persian GulfThe countries that touch it have the oil! Who has the oil??? Middle East Chaching! Oil or Gas Fields Refineries Who uses the oil??? UniteStates Knowing what we have already discussed, why do you think the Strait of Hormuz (the red arrow is pointing to it) would be considered an important waterway? Many oil tankers transport oil through it everyday. It is small passage, so some country could block it if they wanted to! Southwest Asia/Middle East Home to strategic (important) waterways = Why do they matter? Oil is shipped out of the Persian Gulf through this narrow passage of water Makes trade of goods (like oil) faster because it connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea What