Southwest Asia and North Africa
Southwest Asia
• Also called the Middle
East
• Is a land bridge that
connects Asia, Africa, and
Europe.
• The most distinctive land
form is the Arabian
peninsula. The Anatolian
peninsula which is
occupied by the country
of Turkey is another
important landform.
Southwest Asia and North
Africa Satellite Images at
night
Wadi
• Is a riverbed that
remains dry except
during the rainy
season.
Hindu Kush
• Are very high
mountains in
Afghanistan. These
mountains landlocked
Afghanistan and made
contact with the
outside world very
difficult.
Zagros Mountains
• Isolate Iran from the
rest of Southwest
Asia.
Elburz Mountains
• Cut off east access to
the Caspian Sea by
Iran.
Taurus Mountains
• Separate Turkey from
the rest of Southwest
Asia.
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
• Are two of the regions
most important
rivers.They supported
several ancient river valley
civilizations in an area
called the Fertile
Crescent. Today it flows
through Turkey, Syria, and
Iraq. The valley of these
rivers are fertile and are
good for agriculture.
Jordan River
• Starts at Mount
Hermon and then
forms the natural
border between
Jordan and Israel.
Dead Sea
• Is a landlocked salt
lake. It is so salty that
nothing but bacteria
can live in its water.
It is also 1349 feet
below sea level
making it the lowest
place on the exposed
crust of the earth.
The Arabian Peninsula
Ch.22
Section 1
Colonial Powers
• Much of Southwest Asia
fell under the control of
Britain and France.
• The region was valuable
to colonial powers
because of the Suez
Canal, a link between
Asia and Europe, and
because oil was
discovered there after
1932.
Oil
• *The most abundant
resource in Southwest
Asia.
• One-half of the worlds oil
reserves are located in
Southwest Asia.
• These large reserves have
made the region
important because so
many countries like the
U.S., depend on its oil.
http://www.traileraddict.com/clip/the-kingdom/opening-sequence
OPEC
• The organization of
Petroleum exporting
countries, known as
OPEC.
• The purpose of OPEC is
to help members
control worldwide oil
prices.
•*The most
powerful factor
in defining the
Middle East and
North Africa is
RELIGION.
Religion has led
to many conflicts
in the region.
•The three main religions
in the region are Islam,
Christianity and Judaism.
•All three religions
consider Jerusalem to be a
holy city.
•*The holy book of Islam is
the Qur’an. The holy book
of Judaism is the Torah.
The holy book of
Christianity is the Bible.
•*Islamic fundamentalists
are trying to remove
Western influences and
other religions from the
region.
Christianity
•Christianity is the most popular religion in the world with
over 2 billion adherents. 42 million Britons see themselves
as nominally Christian, and there are 6 million who are
actively practising.
•Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah promised in
the Old Testament.
•Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
•The Christian holy book is the Bible, and consists of the Old
and New Testaments.
•Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save
humanity from the consequences of its sins.
•One of the most important concepts in Christianity is that
of Jesus giving his life on the Cross (the Crucifixion) and
rising from the dead on the third day (the Resurrection).
•Christians believe that there is only one God, but that
there are three elements to this one God:
God the Father
God the Son
The Holy Spirit
Judaism
•Judaism is the original of the three Abrahamic faiths, which
also includes Christianity and Islam
•there were around 13.1 million Jewish people in the world
in 2007, most residing in the USA and Israel
•Judaism originated in the Middle East over 3500 years ago
•Judaism was founded by Moses, although Jews trace their
history back to Abraham.
•Jews believe that there is only one God with whom they
have a covenant.
•Judaism has a rich history of religious text, but the central
and most important religious document is the Torah.
•Spiritual leaders are called Rabbis.
•Jews worship in Synagogues
Prophet Muhammad
• Founder of Islam.
Mecca
• Muhammad lived part of
his life in the city of Mecca.
• Mecca located in Saudi Arabia
is the holiest city of Islam.
The 5 pillars of Islam
• There are certain rules that
all Muslims are required to
follow: they are the 5 Pillars
• 1. Faith
• 2. Prayer five times a day
• 3. Charity
• 4. fasting
• 5. hajj or Pilgrimage to
Mecca
Islam
Adherents to the Islamic religion make up around 20% of the world’s
population (1 billion). It is the world’s second largest religion.
It is interesting to note that the four nations with the largest number
of Muslims are outside the Middle East:
 Indonesia – approx. 165 million (88%)
 Pakistan – approx. 110 million (97%)
 Bangladesh – approx. 97 million (85%)
 India – approx. 90 million (10%)
Mosque
• Is an Islamic place of
worship.
Theocratic
• This means religious
leaders controll the
government.
• Rulers relied on
religious law for
running the country.
• Today Iran is ruled by
religious leaders.
Change To Urban Life
• *Population growth,
overuse of land and
water resources has
led millions of people
to abandon villages
and moving to the
cities (Urbanization).
• Technical skills are
needed for many jobs
today. Foreign workers
are brought in to fill
those jobs.
Religious Duties
• Women cover their
heads, hair, and
sometimes faces.
• Women’s roles have
expanded in some
countries.
• Muslims are expected
to perform religious
duties.
Arabic Culture
•*Arab culture refers to
the culture in Arab
countries of West Asia
and North Africa, from
Morocco to the Persian
Gulf.
Examples
•Language, literature,
art, architecture,
music, spirituality,
philosophy, Loyalty to
family
The Eastern Mediterranean
Jerusalem
• Is the capital of Israel.
• *It is a holy city for the
Jews, Christians, and
Muslims.
Western Wall
• This was the 2nd
temple of King
Solomon built in
538B.C. The only
portion left today is
the Western Wall.
Modern Jews pray at
this site.
Christians
• Jerusalem was the site
of the crucifixion of
Jesus.
• Jerusalem was under
Muslim control in the
Middle Ages.
• During this time the
Christians started the
Crusades to liberate
these lands.
Muslims
• To Muslims it is the 3rd
most important city.
• The shrine Dome of
the Rock, is where
Muslims believe the
prophet Muhammad
rose into heaven.
Muslims are
credited with
preserving much of
the learning from
the ancient world
and diffusing it to
much of the known
world.
Zionism
• The holy land was
called Palestine in the
1800s. The British
controlled the land.
• In the mid-1800s a
movement called
Zionism had begun.
Its goal was to create
a Jewish homeland in
Palestine.
Creating The State of Israel
• The 1947, the UN
divided Palestine into
two states- one for
Arabs and one for
Jews.
Israel
• Israel became a nation
on May 14, 1948.
•*Israel treats women
more as equals to men
than any other country in
the region.
•*Many countries like
Saudi Arabia (Mecca)
require that women wear
clothing that covers their
faces because of their
Islamic believes.
•*Israel also has more
ethnic diversity than any
other country in the
Middle East because of
immigration from around
the world.
Hostilities
• In 1948, Arab
countries invaded
Israel and Jewish
troops fought back.
• The 1948 war was the
beginning of hostilities
that continue today.
•One of the conflicts
in Southwest Asia is
setting the boundary
between Israel and
Palestine.
•*Some of the
problems are Jewish
settlements, control
of Jerusalem, and
the location of
aquifers.
•*Many different
groups of people
have controlled
Jerusalem
including the
Romans,
Hebrews, and
Muslims.
Gaza Strip
• Another area of
Palestinians is the
Gaza Strip. This is a
territory along the
Mediterranean Sea,
just northeast of the
Sinai Peninsula. Israel
has occupied it since
1967.
PLO
• The land designated
for the Palestinian
Muslims was under
Israeli control.
• In the 1960s the
Palestine Liberation
Organization (PLO)
was formed to regain
the land for the
Palestinian Arabs.
Yasser Arafat
• Was chairman of the
PLO from 1969 until
his death in 2004.
Palestinian Refugees
• The creation of Israel
produced large
numbers of
Palestinian refugees.
• Refugees struggle to
find food and shelter.
• Providing education
and services for them
is difficult for many
poor countries like
Jordan.
Civil Wars
• Civil wars in Lebanon and
Cyprus have caused huge
economic problems.
• Lebanon, a more
developed nation, was hit
hard by a civil war that
lasted from 1975 to 1976.
The conflict widened to
include other nations, and
in 1982 Israel invaded
Lebanon. Some Israeli
troops remained until
2000.
Modern Infrastructure
• This region has great potential for
development. They have a good climate and
are well located for connections to
international markets.
• What many countries lack is infrastructure
that would support a growing economy.
The Northeast
Mesopotamia
• “Land between two rivers”
(Tigris and Euphrates)
• Several of the world’s
ancient civilizations were in
this region.
• They grew up along the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Babylon, Assyria and
Chaldea, all built empires
in Mesopotamia, the land
between the Rivers.
• Is largely corresponded
with modern day Iraq, and
portions of Syria, Turkey,
and Iran
Iraq Population Density
Kurds
• The Kurds are a
stateless nation. They
live in areas of Iraq,
Iran and Turkey. They
have been in conflict
with all these
countries and because
of this conflict it
prevents them from
getting a homeland.
•*There are two main
branches of the
Islamic religion, Shia
and Sunni. 85% of
Muslims are Sunni and
can be found in
countries like Syria,
Saudi Arabia, and
Pakistan. Shia
Muslims are found
mainly in Iran and
parts of Iraq.
• After the death of the
prophet Muhammad,
Muslims split into two
groups Sunni and Shi’ite.
• About 85% of all Muslims
are Sunni.
• Sunni Muslims agree with
the position taken by many
of the Prophet's
companions, that the new
leader should be elected
from among those capable
of the job.
Sunni
Shi’ite
• Most Iranian are Shi’ites.
• Shia Muslims believe that
following the Prophet
Muhammad's death,
leadership should have
passed directly to his
cousin/son-in-law Ali (the
father of his grandsons
Hasan ibn Ali and Hussein
ibn Ali)
• Ali was married to Fatimah,
Muhammad's daughter.
Reforming Economies
• Turkey and Iran are making progress in
modernizing their economies.
• Turkey wants to be a member of the European
Union but they have been reluctant to accept
them because of their human rights record
and fights with Greece over territory.
• Major obstacles are political problems and
devastating wars.
•*The Gulf War
of 1991 was
the result of
Iraq attacking
Kuwait
because of oil
that they take
from the same
reserve pool.
Afghanistan has had
many conflicts since
the 1970’s. This led to
Taliban, extremist
Sunni Muslims,
coming to power.
Their interpretation of
Islam meant that
women were excluded
from civil rights and
were treated poorly.
Taliban
• The Taliban in Afghanistan
wanted to preserve
traditional ways.
• They imposed rigid rules
on society.
• The rules included
restrictions on clothing,
appearance of women in
public and listening to
music or T.V.
• In 2002, troops led by the
U.S. toppled the Taliban
regime.
Kurdistan
Kurds are an
ethnic group
that has not
historically had a
country of their
own. The Kurds
have people in
the countries of
Turkey, Iran,
Iraq, and Syria.
A Region of Conflict
Issues in North Africa and the Middle
East
©2012, TESCCC
World Geography Unit 8, Lesson 4
Reasons for Conflict
©2012, TESCCC
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1948 the state of Israel was created through a United Nations charter
War with Arabs nations followed immediately
1967 Israel takes control of Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza strip at the end of the Six-Day War
1974- The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) is recognized by the UN as the legitimate representative of the
Palestinians
1978 Camp David Accords set up Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank
1978 First Palestinian Intifada (resistance movement, ended in stalemate)
1993 Oslo Accords allow Palestinians to establish self-rule in West Bank and Gaza Strip
2001 election of Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister (waged battle against terror groups)
2003 Israel starts building a fence along the West Bank
2004 Yasser Arafat dies (leader of PLO)
2012- Peace talks end without progress
©2012, TESCCC
A refugee camp in Israel
©2012, TESCCC
©2012, TESCCC
Women in the Middle East
• Unequal status (due to Islamic law)
• Family life (marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance)- husband
is considered the head of the family and given greater legalstanding than his wife
• Gender-based violence
• Nations including Kuwait, UAE, and Bahrain permit women to
participate in government
• Working outside the home and access to higher education (is not
allowed in some areas)
• Wearing of the veil (hijab)
©2012, TESCCC
©2012, TESCCC
Water Issues
Conflicts over Natural Resources
• Water is the most important natural resource
and the most likely to cause conflict in the
future
• The ]Dead Sea is evaporating and shrinking
• Land rights and aquifers (North Africa)
• Distributing the waters of the Nile- areas
outside of Egypt (Aswan High Dam)
©2012, TESCCC
Oil Wealth
• War- Desert Storm (Kuwait)
• Effects of Modernization (desalinization)
• Industrialization (malls, airports, land
reclamation)
©2012, TESCCC
Arab Spring
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dec. 2010- A Tunisian vendor sets himself on fire in protest of police brutality
Jan. 2011- Thousands take to the streets in Tunisia demanding better living conditions
Jan. 2011- Tunisian president steps down and flees to Saudi Arabia
Jan. 2011- Thousands take to the streets in Jordan in protest of high fuel prices
Jan. 2011- Algerians protest outside the parliament building
Jan. 2011- “Day of Rage” in Egypt as tens of thousands take the streets in protest demanding the ousting of then
President Mubarak
Feb. Mubarak dismisses his government and surrenders power (ending almost 30 years in control)
March 2011- no fly zone contention in Libya
April 2011- protesters killed in Syria
October- Gaddafi killed (ending 42 years of power)
©2012, TESCCC
©2012, TESCCC
Climate and Vegetation
Water
• *The most valuable
resource in the region.
• *Most influential in the
pattern of human
settlement.
• In some areas water is so
scarce that it must be
guarded and carefully
used.
• Efforts to conserve water
have been part of the
culture of the region for
thousands of years.
Desert
• Deserts spread across
the region. The most
famous desert is Rub
al-Khali. Known as
the empty quarter. It
is called this because
it is said that no one
comes out of it. It
covers much of the
Arabian peninsula.
Oasis
• An area of the desert
where vegetation is
found because water
is available.
Negev Desert
• Located in Israel. It
produces crops
through extensive
irrigation.
Salt Flats
• In Iran, high
mountains block the
rain, and dry winds
increase the
evaporation. Winds
evaporate the
moisture in the salty
soil. As a result
chemical salts remain,
that create a salt flat.
Semiarid Lands
• These are located on
the edge of the desert
and have a semi-arid
climate. They have
warm to hot summers
but receive enough
rain to support grass
and low growing
shrubs.
Well Watered Coast Lands
• Along the
Mediterranean coast
and across most of
Turkey, hot summers
and rainy winters
create a good climate
for growing fruits,
olives and vegetables.
Human Environmental
Interaction
Dams in Turkey
• Turkey is building dams
and a man-made lake on
the upper Euphrates River.
• The dams will provide
water and hydroelectric
power.
• *Countries downstream
( ex..Iraq) will lose the
use of water for irrigation
or hydroelectric power.
The National Water Carrier Project
• Carries water from northern Israel to sites in
the center and south.
• Water is used for irrigation in the Negev
Desert, and some drinking water.
• Because the water sources flow through
several countries and access to the water is
restricted the project is a source of conflict.
Drip irrigation
• This is used by several of
the countries in the
region. This is a practice
of using small pipes that
slowly drip water just
above the ground. The
water drips just at the
root zone. Evaporation is
reduced and water is
conserved.
*Desalinization
• Is the process of
removing salt from ocean
water. This water cannot
be used for irrigation
because it is still too salty.
• *This process allows
countries to be able to
survive extreme droughts
ex..Israel.
• The water is used in
sewage systems.
Fossil Water
• This is the water pumped
from aquifers. Since it
has been in the aquifers
for a long period of time.
Fossil water has little
chance on being
replaced. The region
receives too little rainfall
to fill the aquifers. Water
in the aquifers will only
last 25-30 years.
Crude Oil
• The oil fields of
Southwest Asia
contain two thirds of
the world’s petroleum
reserves. Petroleum
that has not been
processed is called
crude oil.
Refinery
• Crude oil pumped
from the ground must
be moved to a
refinery. A refinery
converts the crude oil
into useful products.
North Africa
The Suez Canal
•*The Suez Canal is an
artificial waterway in Egypt
extending from Port Said to
Suez and connecting the
Mediterranean Sea with
the Red Sea. It is one of the
world's most important
waterways
•The geographical position
of the Suez Canal makes it
the shortest route
between East and West
Golan Heights
• There is a small
plateau in southwest
Syria called the Golan
Heights. It overlooks
the Jordan River and
the Sea of Galilee.
This has been the site
of conflict between
the Arabs and Israelis.
Elevation
• *The valleys, mountains, and upland plateaus
are a result of tectonic forces.
*Water
resources are the
most important
reason for
settlement
patterns in the
Middle East and
North Africa.
• At 4,184 miles long it is the longest river in the
world
•*The Nile river is responsible for Egypt's population
living in 3% of the land area.
*Water, climate,
oil resources,
and
transportation
routes are all
responsible for
the location of
cities.
•*Oil has
helped to
modernize the
major oil
producing
countries and
has given them
political clout.
•*The Aswan High
Dam was built in
Egypt to help
regulate flooding
on the Nile River.
This has led to
many positives like
flood control and
some negatives like
loss of fertility in
the soil.
Positive effects of Dam
•
•
•
•
Prevents flooding
Controls irrigation
Can plant 3 crops instead of only 1 a year
Creates Hydroelectric power- supplies
Egypt with 40% of its electricity
• Amount of farmland has increased by 2.9
million acres
Negative Effects of Dam
• New layer of fertile soil no longer
deposited by annual flood, must use
fertilizers
–Very expensive
–Run off pollutes river, pollution kills
fish
• New soil not added to Delta, which
causes erosion
*Turkey has built
a network of
dams and
irrigation ditches
on the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers
which has led to
resentment from
Iraq. Why?
Two of the
common
characteristics
that make the
Middle East and
North Africa a
formal region
are religion and
the Arab
language.
Lebanon was
once covered by
forest but
because of
shipbuilding,
over farming,
and herding the
land is almost
completely
deforested.
•*Most of the land
in the region is
used for the
activity of
subsistence
agriculture.
•*Libya is a
country that
relies heavily
on oil wealth
for its
economy.
•*One of the
ways that
countries try to
survive water
scarcity is by
using
desalinization
plants. These
plants remove
salt from water.
•*In North Africa most
people live along the
coast in the areas that
have a Mediterranean
climate (due to
expansion of Sahara
Desert). This area is
more productive for
farming.
•*People that live in
the arid and semiarid
areas mainly live a
nomadic herding
lifestyle.
Population Pyramids