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Chapter Introduction
Section 1 The Land
Section 2 Climate and Vegetation
Chapter Summary & Study Guide
Chapter Assessment
Click on a hyperlink to view the corresponding slides.
Chapter Objectives
• Describe the major landforms and
natural resources of North Africa,
Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. 
• Discuss the climate and vegetation
of North Africa, Southwest Asia,
and Central Asia.
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As you read this chapter, list ways the
physical geography of North Africa,
Southwest Asia, and Central Asia shapes
the lives of people in the region. Include
examples you discover in media sources.
The Land
Objectives
• Identify which land and water features
dominate the region. 
• Discuss how the region’s major rivers are
important to its people. 
• Explain why much of the world is economically
dependent on the region.
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The Land
Terms to Know
• alluvial soil 
• wadi 
• kum 
• phosphate
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The Land
Places to Locate
• Red Sea 
• Nile River 
• Arabian Peninsula 
• Tigris River 
• Persian Gulf 
• Euphrates
River 
• Sinai Peninsula 
• Anatolia 
• Dead Sea 
• Caspian Sea 
• Aral Sea 
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• Atlas
Mountains 
• Caucasus
Mountains
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to listen to the audio again.
The Nile River, flowing through
northeastern Africa to the Mediterranean
Sea, keeps Egypt from being entirely
desert. For centuries, the Nile flooded its
banks every summer, covering nearby
fields with fertile soil. Dams, especially
the Aswan High Dam, now control Nile
flooding, drastically reducing sediment
deposits and fertility.
Seas and Peninsulas
• North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central
Asia feature numerous seas
and peninsulas. 
• These include the Mediterranean, Red,
and Black Seas as well as the Arabian
and Sinai Peninsulas. 
• The Dead Sea, the Caspian Sea, and
the Aral Sea are actually landlocked
bodies of salt water.
(pages 421–422)
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Seas and Peninsulas (cont.)
• The Aral Sea, which began to dry up
when the Soviet Union diverted river
source waters for irrigation, seems to
be coming back.
(pages 421–422)
Seas and Peninsulas (cont.)
What might people have done to revive
the Aral Sea?
Possible answers: They may have
diverted water into it, or they might
have restricted the use of its water
for irrigation.
(pages 421–422)
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Rivers
• Major Rivers: Cradles of Civilization 
- The Nile River Valley provides water and a
lush, fertile living space for about 90 percent
of Egypt’s population. 
- The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers help irrigate
farms throughout Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. 
• Streambeds Runoff from infrequent,
violent rainstorms creates temporary
streams in arid North Africa and
Southwest Asia.
(pages 422–424)
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Rivers (cont.)
(pages 422–424)
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Rivers (cont.)
Why are streams from rainstorms only
temporary?
Possible answers: Water from the
storms stays on the surface and soon
evaporates in the sun. Storms are too
infrequent to create permanent
streams. The sun dries up the water
faster than it falls.
(pages 422–424)
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Plains, Plateaus, and Mountains
• Coastal Plains Although most of the
region is made up of deserts and
mountains, the coastal plains along the
Mediterranean provide the agricultural
base of the region.
(pages 424–425)
Plains, Plateaus, and Mountains
(cont.)
• Highlands 
- Enough precipitation falls on the Atlas
Mountains of North Africa to make them
hospitable to settlement and farming. 
- The Asir Mountains of the Arabian Peninsula
are also agriculturally productive. 
- The Caucasus Mountains between the
Black Sea and the Caspian Sea are
known for their grandeur and beauty. 
- Desert covers much of Turkmenistan
and Uzbekistan.
(pages 424–425)
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Plains, Plateaus, and Mountains
(cont.)
(pages 424–425)
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Plains, Plateaus, and Mountains
(cont.)
Which of the above areas do you think
are most heavily populated? Why do
you think so?
The coastal plains of the Mediterranean
and the mountain areas that support
farming are probably heavily populated.
Much of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
are likely to be sparsely populated.
(pages 424–425)
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Earthquakes
The shifting tectonic plates of the region
have built mountains, shifted landmasses,
and caused earthquakes. A 1999
earthquake in Turkey measured 7.4 on the
Richter scale, toppling more than 76,000
buildings and killing nearly 20,000 people.
(page 425)
Earthquakes (cont.)
(page 425)
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Earthquakes (cont.)
What might be done to reduce the
damage from earthquakes in heavily
populated areas?
Possible answers: Adopt stricter building
codes, and retrofit existing structures to
make them more earthquake-resistant.
We could also develop new technologies
for building in earthquake-prone areas,
and continue research efforts to help
predict earthquakes.
(page 425)
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Natural Resources
• Oil and Natural Gas About 70 percent
of the world’s oil reserves and 33 percent
of the world’s natural gas reserves are
found in the region.
(page 426)
Natural Resources (cont.)
• Minerals Turkmenistan has the world’s
largest deposits of sulfate. Morocco
ranks third in the production of
phosphate. 
• The region may contain up to 10
percent of the world’s iron ore reserves.
(page 426)
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Natural Resources (cont.)
• Building Diverse Economies Many
countries in the region are diversifying
their economies so that they are not so
dependent on their oil and mineral
exports.
(page 426)
Natural Resources (cont.)
What do these facts suggest about the
region’s economy?
The abundance of oil and natural gas
suggests that the region does not
need to import these energy sources.
The region is self-sufficient, and it can
export its natural resources in trade for
finished products that it does not
possess. The region has the potential
for future development.
(page 426)
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Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
B 1. in the desert, a streambed that
is dry except during a heavy
rain
__
A 2. deposit of rich soil made up of
sand and mud deposited by
running water
__
D 3. natural mineral containing
chemical compounds often
used in fertilizers
__
C 4. term for deserts in Central Asia
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A. alluvial soil
B. wadi
C. kum
D. phosphate
Critical Thinking
Comparing and Contrasting How are the
Caspian Sea and the Aral Sea alike? How
are they different?
The Caspian and Aral seas are alike
because they are landlocked bodies of
saltwater that have suffered from a decrease
in the flows of feeder rivers. The are different
because the Aral is smaller and has shrunk
a great deal more than the Caspian Sea.
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Critical Thinking
Predicting Consequences How might
development of oil fields in the Caspian Sea
affect the region of North Africa, Southwest
Asia, and Central Asia?
The development of oil fields may improve
the economies of countries that share the
Caspian, but it may also increase pollution
in the area.
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Critical Thinking
Analyzing Information How has
diversification affected the economies
of countries in the region?
Oil-producing countries, such as Libya
and the UAE, are shifting to banking,
tourism, and other areas to support their
economies when the oil runs out.
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Analyzing Maps
Place Study the physical-political map
below. What physical feature dominates
western Iran?
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Analyzing Maps
The Zagros Mountains dominate western
Iran.
Applying Geography
Benefits of Rivers Write a descriptive
paragraph explaining how the major rivers
of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central
Asia benefit people in the region.
Possible answer: Rivers of the region
supply freshwater for drinking and
irrigation and create fertile farmlands
along their banks and through their
valleys.
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Close
Speculate on the kinds of challenges that
the region of North Africa, Southwest Asia,
and Central Asia faces.
Climate and Vegetation
Objectives
• Explain how the climates of the region differ. 
• Describe how the needs of a growing
population have affected the natural
vegetation of the region.
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Climate and Vegetation
Terms to Know
• oasis 
• pastoralism 
• cereal
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Climate and Vegetation
Places to Locate
• Sahara 
• Rub’ al Khali 
• Garagum (Kara Kum)
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to listen to the audio again.
Because the coastal city of Agadir in
Morocco has 300 days of sunshine per
year, its beaches are a popular tourist
attraction, as are other Moroccan beaches
along the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea.
Water: A Precious Resource
Rainfall is plentiful in some parts of North
Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia,
but in most places water is scarce. 
• Desert Climate Desert areas, such as
North Africa’s Sahara, cover almost 50
percent of the region. 
• In the deserts, summers are long and
hot, winters are cold, the land is mostly
flat, and precipitation averages about
10 inches (25 cm) per year.
(pages 427–430)
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Water: A Precious Resource (cont.)
• Steppe Climate Steppe is the secondlargest climate region. 
• Semi-arid conditions with light
precipitation support short grasses
that are grazed by livestock.
(pages 427–430)
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Water: A Precious Resource (cont.)
What would it be like to live in the
desert?
It would be a lifestyle with minimal
technology. Food and water would be
scarce, and travel might be hazardous,
especially during sandstorms. Clothing
would need to be suited to a hot
climate.
(pages 427–430)
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Climatic Variations
• Exports and Tourists The
Mediterranean climate region features
cool, rainy winters and hot, dry
summers. 
• This fertile area exports citrus fruits,
olives, and grapes to Europe and the
United States. 
• Tourism is an important industry.
(pages 430–431)
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Climatic Variations (cont.)
(pages 430–431)
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Climatic Variations (cont.)
• Rainfall Receiving plenty of rainfall,
highlands areas support forests and
grain crops without irrigation. 
• A Sign of Things to Come? Climate
changes have turned some grassy
plains in the region into deserts.
(pages 430–431)
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Climatic Variations (cont.)
(pages 430–431)
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Climatic Variations (cont.)
Which climate would you prefer to live
in? Why?
Possible answer: The Mediterranean
or highlands regions would be better
to live in because of the relatively
moderate temperatures, adequate
rainfall, and prevalent vegetation.
(pages 430–431)
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Checking for Understanding
Define Match each definition in the left column with the
appropriate term in the right column.
__
C 1. any grain, such as barley, oats,
or wheat, grown for food
A. oasis
__
B 2. the raising of livestock
C. cereal
__
A 3. small area in a desert where
water and vegetation are found
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B. pastoralism
Critical Thinking
Comparing and Contrasting Compare and
contrast agriculture in steppe climate regions
with that of Mediterranean climate regions.
In steppe climate regions, there are short
grasses as pasture for livestock. In
Mediterranean climate regions, there are
cereals and food grains, fruits, olives, and
grapes.
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Critical Thinking
Analyzing Cause and Effect Why has
natural vegetation declined in areas of North
Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia?
Climatic changes and human activity have
turned grassy plains into desert.
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Critical Thinking
Drawing Conclusions How did climate
changes in the Sahara centuries ago affect
its people?
Climate change led to the raising of brushgrazing sheep, goats, and camels instead of
grass-hungry cattle. Climate change also led
to the relocation toward the coast, rivers, and
oases.
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Analyzing Maps
Region Study the
map of climate
regions on the top
right and the map
of natural vegetation
on the bottom right.
What kind of natural
vegetation thrives in
Mediterranean
climates?
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Analyzing Maps
Chaparral
vegetation thrives
in Mediterranean
climates.
Applying Geography
Climate and Population Write a paragraph
explaining the possible effects of climate on
settlement patterns in North Africa,
Southwest Asia, and Central Asia.
Possible answer: While oil has increased
desert settlement, desert areas are still
sparsely populated. Most people live where
food, water, and fertile land are available,
such as in Mediterranean climate areas.
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Close
Name a country in the region and have
your classmates identify its climate
region(s) and typical vegetation. Continue
with other students naming countries until
each country has been reviewed.
Section 1: The Land (pages 421–426)
Key Points
• North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central
Asia are located at the crossroads of Asia,
Africa, and Europe. 
• The region is a jigsaw puzzle of peninsulas
and seas. 
• Rivers feed the inland seas and supply
irrigation to parched lands. Their alluvial soil
deposits enrich the land, especially in the Nile
River Valley and delta. 
• The movement of tectonic plates forms
mountains, moves landforms, and causes
earthquakes in the region.
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Section 1: The Land (pages 421–426)
Key Points
• The region contains much of the world’s oil
and natural gas reserves.
Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Key Points
(pages 427–431)
• Rainfall in North Africa, Southwest Asia, and
Central Asia varies widely. Most of the region
contains arid areas. 
• The four climate regions in North Africa,
Southwest Asia, and Central Asia are desert,
steppe, Mediterranean, and highlands. 
• Natural vegetation in the region varies widely
and is closely related to rainfall and irrigation
patterns.
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Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
alluvial soil
cereal
kum
oasis
pastoralism
phosphate
wadi
1. In the Sahara, a place where underground water
oasis
surfaces is a(n) ___________________.
2. Runoff from infrequent rainstorms can create a
___________________,
or a dry streambed.
wadi
Pastoralism
3. ___________________,
or the raising and
grazing of livestock, is a way of life on the steppe.
4. Morocco produces ___________________,
which
phosphate
is used in fertilizers .
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Reviewing Key Terms
Insert the key term that best completes each of the
following sentences.
alluvial soil
cereal
kum
oasis
pastoralism
phosphate
wadi
5. Much of the region is covered by sandy deserts,
kum
or ___________________.
6. Barley is an example of a _________________
cereal
grain.
Alluvial soil
7. ___________________
is rich soil deposited by
running water.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 1: The Land
What physical features separate the Arabian
Peninsula from the African continent?
The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden separate
the Arabian Peninsula from the African
continent.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 1: The Land
What physical features separate Europe and
Asia and connect the Aegean and Black
Seas?
The Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and
the Bosporus separate Europe and Asia
and connect the Aegean and Black Seas.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 1: The Land
What desert covers most of Turkmenistan?
What desert covers about half of
Uzbekistan?
The Garagum covers most of Turkmenistan.
The Qiziqum covers about half of Uzbekistan.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
About how much of North Africa, Southwest
Asia, and Central Asia experience desert
climate?
Almost 50 percent of these areas experience
desert climate.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
Describe the natural vegetation of steppe
areas.
Natural vegetation of steppe areas includes
short grasses, shrubs, and some trees.
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Reviewing Facts
Section 2: Climate and Vegetation
In what part of the region does tropical
vegetation flourish? What climate factors
allow this kind of vegetation to grow in
that area?
Vegetation flourishes along the Nile River.
It is in the desert climate area, but the river
gives enough water for farming and diverse
vegetation.
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Critical Thinking
Drawing Conclusions How do you think
the region’s resources affect the global
economy?
Countries producing petroleum and natural
gas greatly influence the economies of
countries around the world by controlling
the supply and prices of these exports.
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Critical Thinking
Analyzing Information Compare the
climate map on page 428 with the
population density map on page 412 of
your textbook. How does climate influence
where people live in the region?
People live where food and water are
available and there is a chance for
livelihood, such as the arable lands in
the Mediterranean climate region.
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Locating Places
Match the letters on the map with the physical features
of North America, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia.
__1.
Arabian Peninsula
A
__2.
Sahara
I
__3.
Atlas Mountains
E
__4.
Nile River
C
__5.
Aral Sea
K
__6.
Red Sea
D
__7.
Persian Gulf
F
__8.
Mediterranean Sea
J
__9.
Caspian Sea
G
__10.
Black Sea
H
__11.
Gulf of Aden
B
__12.
Tian Shan
L
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Why do the farming techniques in some
of the region’s coastal areas differ from
those practiced in the Nile River valley?
Precipitation in coastal areas is adequate
for farming. Irrigation is usually required
along the Nile.
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Explore online information about the topics
introduced in this chapter.
Click on the Connect button to launch your browser and go to the
Glencoe World Geography Web site. At this site, you will find
interactive activities, current events information, and Web sites
correlated with the chapters and units in the textbook. When you
finish exploring, exit the browser program to return to this
presentation. If you experience difficulty connecting to the Web
site, manually launch your Web browser and go to
http://geography.glencoe.com
Choose the best answer for the following multiplechoice questions. If you have trouble answering the
questions, use the process of elimination to narrow
your choices.
1. Part of Uzbekistan has a desert climate. What kind of vegetation can
grow in a desert climate?
A
No vegetation at all
B
Drought-resistant shrubs and cacti
C
Drought-resistant shrubs, cacti, and occasional small-scale farm
crops in areas with underground water
D
Short grasses for grazing
Test-Taking Tip Note that the directions ask you to choose the best
answer to the question. The best answer will contain the most precise
information for answering the question.
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2. In part of the region of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia,
people earn their living by growing citrus fruits, olives, and grapes as
well as from the tourist trade. This region probably has a(n)
F
highlands climate.
G
steppe climate.
H
Mediterranean climate.
J
desert climate.
Test-Taking Tip Think about the conditions needed to grow the specific
crops. Desert climates are too dry, as are steppe climates. Highlands
climates are wet but may be too cold. Eliminating wrong choices helps
you choose the correct answer.
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The highest temperature recorded on Earth occurred
in the Sahara at Al-Aziziah, Libya, on September 13,
1922. It was 136°F (58°C)!
Comparing Deltas The Aswan High Dam and other
dams in Egypt now reduce alluvial soil deposits from
the Nile, but the free-flowing Mississippi River in the
United States still carries more than 170 million tons
of sediment annually to an ever-growing delta.
Reading a Vegetation Map
Geographers call the plant life that grows naturally in an area
natural vegetation. Variations in vegetation can make areas of
the same country look very different.
Reading a Vegetation Map
Learning the Skill
Climate greatly affects natural vegetation. For example, thick
layers of plants that make up tropical forest vegetation grow
only in tropical rain forest climates. Likewise, areas with less
than 10 inches (25 cm) of rain support only desert scrub
vegetation. 
Elevation also affects vegetation. Forests grow at the bases
of mountains. At higher elevations, grasses, small trees, and
shrubs grow. Where elevation makes it too cold for trees and
shrubs, only mosses thrive.
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Reading a Vegetation Map
Learning the Skill
On a vegetation map, colors indicate different vegetation
types. The map key explains the color code. To read a
vegetation map: 
• Identify the area covered on the map. 
• Study the key to identify the vegetation types that the
map depicts. 
• Locate the regions covered by each vegetation type. 
• Draw conclusions about the similarities and differences
between the types of vegetation found in different areas
of the map.
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Reading a Vegetation Map
Practicing the Skill
Use the map showing the vegetation of Central Asia from
page 432 of your textbook to answer the following questions.
1. What geographic area does this map show?
This map shows Central Asia.
2. In which vegetation region is the capital of Kyrgyzstan
located?
Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is located in a
temperate grassland region.
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Reading a Vegetation Map
Practicing the Skill
Use the map showing the vegetation of Central Asia from
page 432 of your textbook to answer the following questions.
3. What kinds of vegetation are found along the coast of the
Caspian Sea?
Desert scrub, desert waste, and temperate grassland
are found along the coast of the Caspian Sea.
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Reading a Vegetation Map
Practicing the Skill
Use the map showing the vegetation of Central Asia from
page 432 of your textbook to answer the following questions.
4. What factors would explain the distribution of vegetation
throughout the region?
The distribution of vegetation can be explained by the
variety of climate: steppe, desert, and highlands.
5. Of the areas shown on the vegetation map, where do you
think irrigation is used for cultivating crops?
Possible answer: Irrigation is used where the climate is
driest and there is the least availability of water.
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Maps
North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia:
Physical-Political
North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia:
Climate Regions
North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia:
Natural Vegetation
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The Dardanelles, the Sea of Marmara, and the
Bosporus give Turkey control of shipping into and
out of the Black Sea.
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