CHAPTER 9 : ARABIA AND IRAQSECTION 1 : CHAPTER ATLAS

Southwest Asia

Physical Features

Arabia, or the Arabian Peninsula, is surrounded on three sides by water. Red Sea Gulf of Aden Arabian Sea Persian Gulf Gulf of Oman

• These bodies of water are connected to the Indian Ocean

Physical Features

Arabia and Iraq are part of the Asian continent.

Physical Features

Most of Arabia and Iraq are on the Arabian Plate. plates are blocks of rock and soil

Physical Features

Rivers provide fresh water to a region that is mostly desert. Tigris River Euphrates River

Physical Features

The pressure from the Arabian Plate pressing against the Eurasian Plate has pushed up rocks to form mountains in northeastern Iraq and in southeastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, in the nation of Oman.

Physical Features

Reading Check

Which major rivers flow through Iraq?

The Tigris and Euphrates

Oil and Gas Riches

Fold traps undersea muck formed by decaying sea life which

turns into natural gas over time by the heat and pressure from inside the earth

turns to oil and natural gas over millions of years fossil fuels: oil and gas made by the remains of living

things

Oil and Gas Riches

Fold traps have given Saudi Arabia the world’s largest oil reserves and output.

Oil and Gas Riches

Reading Check

Where are the largest oil reserves?

The largest oil reserves are in Saudi Arabia.

Living on Oil

Iraq and most countries in Arabia rely on oil and natural gas to pay for nearly all of their needs.

Living on Oil

The Importance of OilThe Middle East lacks water.Money from oil and gas sales is used to:

build water facilities purchase food grown in other regions

Water plant in Saudi Arabia which turns salt water into

usable water.

Living on Oil

The Importance of OilArabian countries rely on millions of foreign

workers, paid with oil money, to keep their economies running.

Living on Oil

The Importance of OilArabia and Iraq produce more than one

fourth of the world’s oil.

Living on Oil

Oil and the EnvironmentOil production has affected

the region’s environment. Oil spills in the Persian Gulf have

killed sea life and polluted shorelines.

Production waste creates toxic chemicals that have polluted the soil and Iraq’s rivers.

Living on Oil

Reading Check

Why is oil so important to Arabia and Iraq?

Oil is important to Arabia and Iraq because it is the region’s main natural resource. It pays for

foreign workers, and everything else people need, especially water and food.

Vast Deserts and Scarce Water

The main ecosystems across Arabia and Iraq are desert and desert scrub. deserts have few plants and animals desert scrub has some plants

Arabian Desert Desert Scrub

Vast Deserts and Scarce Water

The hills and mountains of northern and eastern Iraq have a moister climate than the rest of the country.

Vast Deserts and Scarce Water

The mountains of Yemen and Iraq receive enough rainfall to support some farming.

Terrace farming in Yemen

Vast Deserts and Scarce Water

The driest countries in the region, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, depend on desalination. the removal of salt from seawater

Video Link

Vast Deserts and Scarce Water

Reading Check

Which parts of Arabia and Iraq get seasonal precipitation?

The mountains of Yemen and Iraq get seasonal precipitation.

Population Patterns

People in Arabia and Iraq cluster where there is water for drinking and cleaning. mountains of Iraq and Yemen near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers of Iraq desert oases on the Arabian Peninsula

Population Patterns

Except for Yemen, the countries of the region are heavily urbanized. most of the people live in cities desalination plants are built near their cities because

of scarce water supplies

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Population Patterns

Population growth in Arabia and Iraq are some of the highest in the world. result from both migration and high birth rate local customs and religious traditions favor large

families poses challenges for the region

more jobs, water, education and other services will be needed

Population Patterns

Reading Check

Why are populations growing in this region?

Arabia and Iraq have high birthrates, partly because local customs and religious traditions

practiced in parts of the region encourages large families.

A Diverse Region

Arab Muslims form a majority in Arabia and Iraq and dominate politics. more than half of the population

A Diverse Region

Iraq has a large minority of Kurds, who are not Arabs. Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims

A Diverse Region

Iraqi Kurds suffered brutal treatment under Saddam Hussein. currently have a self-governing area in northern Iraq

Iraqi Kurd President Massoud Barzani

A Diverse Region

The vast majority of the people of Arabia and Iraq follow Islam. Differences in Islam

Sunnis Shias Ibadism

Most of the citizens of Bahrain are Shia, but their ruler is Sunni.

Sunnis rule Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Yemen Shia minorities live in all three of these countries. Differences cause conflict.

A Diverse Region

Reading Check

What are some differences among Muslims in this region?

Some Muslims are Sunnis, and some are Shias.

Arabia and IraqThe Effect of Physical Geography

Fossil Fuel Resources

plenty of oil and gas

Oil and Gas Revenue

plenty of money

Water Resources

very limited

Population

clustered near water sources

Desalination

uses oil money to increase water

supplies and expand population centers