Southwest Asia
Objective 1: summarize the physical geography of Southwest Asia. Objective 2: explain the political boundaries of Southwest Asia. Objective 3: Describe the diversity of the region and the movement of its people
Political Map
Arabia and Iraq
• Arabian Peninsula – three sides surrounded by water.
• North of Arabian Peninsula is Iraq.• Technically, Arabia and Iraq are part of the
Asian continent.
Major Bodies of Water: Persian GulfGulf of AdenRed SeaGulf of Oman Tigris and Euphrates River
Oil and Gas Riches
Oil and Gas Riches
• Eastern edge of the Arabian Plate pressed against the Eurasian Plate.
• Pressure formed mountains in Northeastern Iraq.• Saudi Arabia has world’s largest oil reserves and
output.• Fold traps – held undersea layer of muck– Heat and pressure transformed muck into oil and natural
gas (fossil fuels)– Many fold traps formed in the Arabian plate, beneath the
Persian Gulf and Euphrates and Tigris river valley.
Living on Oil
• Oil and natural gas is used to pay for nearly all of their needs. Problem?
• Oil money is often used to build water facilities and pay for food grown in other regions.
• Arabia and Iraq produce ¼ of the world’s oil. Problem?
• Oil production has also harmed environment
Water Resources Desalination:Removal of salt from seawater.
A Diverse Region
Diversity
• Arab Muslims are majority • Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE are mostly not Arab• Iraq – Kurdish minority • Tensions in Iraq– Sunni-led dictatorship toppled in 2003
Islam • Monotheism (def) • Followers of Muhammad • Islam “submission” • Holy text: Quran• Sharia law• Holy site: Mecca (Kabaa) • Worship in mosques• Divide after the death of Muhammad:
– Sunni• Abu Baker (1st Caliph)
– Shite• Ali
FaithAlmsgivingFastingHajjPrayer