The Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest, and Central AsiaChapter 17, Section 1: The Land

Important Vocabulary •Kum: dune-covered deserts; Southwest Asia. •Alluvial Soil: a rich soil made up of sand and mud deposited by moving water. Nile River. •Wadi: a streambed that remains dry until a heavy rain. Arid regions. • Phosphate: a chemical used in fertilizers.

Physical Map of the Region(s)

North Africa Southwest and Central Asia

Mountains• Tectonic activity has

shaped the landscape. • Atlas Mountains: across

Morocco and Algeria. • In Southwest Asia: Hejaz

and Asir ranges. • Pontic and Taurus

Mountains in Turkey.

Coastal Plains, Seas, and Peninsulas

• The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

• Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba flank in the Sinai Peninsula.

• Mediterranean, Black, and Aegean Seas surround the Anatolia Peninsula.

• Landlocked water bodies: Dead, Caspian, and Aral Seas.

Major Rivers• Nile is world’s largest river. • Aswan High Dam provides

water for agriculture and hydroelectric power.

• Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Ancient Mesopotamia. Fertile farm lands.

• Rainstorms create wadis in arid North Africa and Southwest Asia.

Natural Resources• Over 60% of the world’s oil

reserves, and 50% of natural gas.

• Vast mineral resources – sulfur, sulphate, manganese, gold, chromium, lead, iron, copper, and zinc.

The Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest, and Central AsiaChapter 17, Section 2: Climate and Vegetation

Important Vocabulary •Oasis: a place in the desert where underground water surfaces. • Pastoralism: the raising and grazing of livestock. Way of life for those who live in a steppe climate. •Cereal: food grains such as barley, oats, and wheat. Grown without irrigation.

Water and Climate• Desert covers almost 50% of

the region. • Sahara is world’s largest

desert. • Extreme weather: cold to mild

winters and long, hot summers.

• Steppe climate region: semi-arid, some trees and grasses.

Mid-Latitude Regions• Mid-latitude weather: cool,

rainy winters and hot, dry summers.

• High exports of citrus, olives, fruits, and grapes.

• Favorable weather increases tourism.

• Coastal and highland areas receive the most rain.