chapter 16 - geography of north africa/middle east
Post on 23-Jan-2017
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TRANSCRIPT
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.
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
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