Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest

Asia, and Central AsiaChapter 16

If you rode in a car or a bus to school today, that vehicle’s fuel probably came from the region of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. This region is the world’s leading producer of petroleum and natural gas—two of the main energy resources that power modern society.

How have natural resources made this region a key player in world affairs?

Essential Question

This region includes a variety of landforms that affect how and where people live.

Section 1: The Region’s Landforms

When you hear about floods, do you picture terrible damage and loss of life?

Multiple seas of aided trade for the region. Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Black

Sea, Red Sea, & Persian Gulf Suez Canal

Seas & Waterways

Atlas Mountains in Morocco Sahara Desert across rest of northern Africa Southwest Asia known for earthquakes Coastal plains support agriculture

Mountains, Plateaus, & Lowlands

Due to dry conditions, most people settle in river valleys.

Nile, Tigris, & Euphrates Rivers Silt: small particles of rich soil Alluvial Plain: area of fertile soil left by river

floods.

Rivers

What two bodies of water does the Suez Canal connect?

Knowledge Check

The land in this region is rich in energy resources.

Section 1: Natural Resources

Have you ever depended on someone for something you really needed?

Largest reserves of oil & natural gas around Persian Gulf.

Sedimentary Rock: created when layers of material are hardened by the intense weight of materials piled above.

Countries in region very wealthy from oil. Has led to conflicts.

Oil and Gas

Coal & iron can be found here. Phosphates: mineral salts used to make

fertilizer. only Lebanon has a lumber industry Fish an important resource for coastal areas

Other Resources

Water is a scarce resource Poaching: illegal fishing or hunting Irrigation has led to Aral Sea drying up.

Environmental Concerns: The Seas

Irrigation water often evaporates; salt deposits then leave land unable to be farmed

Nile dams create electricity but blocks the flow needed silt.

Farmers now use chemicals leading to runoff problems.

Pollution from refineries: facilities that turn petroleum into gasoline & other products.

Other Environmental Issues

What are some of the threats to the region’s water supplies?

Knowledge Check

Large areas of desert greatly affect life in the region.

Section 2: A Dry Region

What would it be like to live through a long period without rain?

World’s largest desert Only 3 inches of rain a year. Wadis: dry riverbeds Ergs: large areas of soft sands Oases: areas where the land is fertile as a

result of water from spring or well.

The Sahara

Arabian peninsula covered with desert

Steppes border desert areas: dry, treeless, but grassy plains.

Nomads: people that move across steppe areas to find food & water for their herds.

Dry Farming: method in which land is left unplanted every few years so that it can store moisture.

Desert & Steppe Areas

Coastal areas have Mediterranean climates Supports agriculture and more people Highland climates in southwestern Asia

support herd animals.

Other Climate Areas

How do the region’s desert and steppe areas differ?

Knowledge Check

The lack of water is a growing problem in this region.

Section 2: The Need for Water

How much water do you use each day?

Rainfall is sparse Much water used for irrigation Aquifers: underground rock layers through

which water flows.

Need for Water

countries compete for scarce water

Rationing: a resource is made available to people in only limited amounts.

Desalinization: process that treats seawater to remove salts and minerals and make it drinkable.

costly process—poor countries can’t do it

Need for Water

Why is desalinization not an option for many countries in the region?

Knowledge Check