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Political and Physical Geography of Southwest Asia August 12, 2014

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Characteristics of Southwest Asias Geography Physical geography: the study of natural features (landforms), such as rivers, lakes, and mountains Political geography: covers aspects such as country boundaries, states, cities, and their locations We use physical maps to locate landforms We use political maps to locate countries, states, and cities.

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Political Geography of SW Asia Afghanistan: landlocked country at the far eastern edge of the region; very mountainous Iran: west of Afghanistan; one of the largest countries in SW Asia; mountainous but with long seacoasts along Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Arabian Sea; this allows for Iran to export many different products to other countries around the world Iraq: shares its eastern border with Iran; the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through Iraq

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More Political Geography Saudi Arabia: largest country on the Arabian Peninsula; mainly desert area; bordered by the Persian Gulf on the northwest and Red Sea to the west Israel: small country in the western part of the region; bordered by the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea Gaza Strip: very small territory on the southwest side of Israel; bordered by the Mediterranean Sea Turkey: located northwest of Iraq; the Tigris and Euphrates rivers begin here; while most of Turkey is located in Asia, a small part of the western side is located on the European continent

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Political Maps of SW Asia

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Rivers of Southwest Asia Euphrates River: one of the longest rivers in the region; begins in Turkey and flows south before emptying into the Persian Gulf Tigris River: Also begins in Turkey and flows south; flows parallel to the Euphrates River before emptying into the Persian Gulf Jordan River: much smaller river than either the Tigris or Euphrates; begins in the small country of Lebanon and flows south into the Dead Sea.

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Rivers of Southwest Asia

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Other bodies of water Persian Gulf: small body of water bordered by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia; one of the main shipping routes for oil from Saudi Arabia and other countries that surround it Strait of Hormuz: very small, narrow body of water at the end of the Persian Gulf that connects to the Arabian Sea. Arabian Sea: large body of water south of the Arabian Peninsula Red Sea: narrow body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and the continent of Africa Suez Canal: man-made body of water that connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea; this allows for quicker shipping between Europe and Asia

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Other bodies of water Strait of Hormuz Suez Canal

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Other SW Asian landforms Arabian Peninsula: large peninsula bordered by the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, and Red Sea; Saudi Arabia is located on the peninsula Rub al Khali: large desert located in southern Saudi Arabia Hindu Kush: large mountain range in northeastern Afghanistan; traditionally considered the unofficial border between SW Asia and South/East Asia

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Other SW Asian landforms Rub al Khali

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Questions: you may answer on this paper or your own paper 1. What do we use physical maps for? 2. What do we use political maps for? 3. Which country is very mountainous and located on the far eastern edge of the region? 4. Which country has long seacoasts along the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Arabian Sea? 5. Which country shares its eastern border with Iran? 6. Which country is the largest on the Arabian Peninsula? 7. Which small country is bordered by the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea? 8. What is the name of the very small territory on the southwest side of Israel? 9. Which country is located on two continents? 10. Which two rivers begin in Turkey and flow south before emptying into the Persian Gulf? 11. Where does the Jordan River begin and end? 12. Which body of water is one of the main shipping routes for oil coming out of its surrounding countries? 13. Which small, narrow body of water connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. 14. What is the large body of water south of the Arabian Peninsula? 15. Which narrow body of water is between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa? 16. Which man-made body of water connects the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea? 17. What is the name of the large peninsula surrounded by the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf? 18. The Rub al Khali is located in the southern part of Saudi Arabia? 19. What is the name of the large mountain range located in northeastern Afghanistan?