Southwest Asia

Objective 1: summarize the physical geography of Southwest Asia. Objective 2: explain the political boundaries of Southwest Asia. Objective 3: Describe the diversity of the region and the movement of its people

Political Map

Arabia and Iraq

• Arabian Peninsula – three sides surrounded by water.

• North of Arabian Peninsula is Iraq.• Technically, Arabia and Iraq are part of the

Asian continent. • Importance of the Strait of Hormuz?

Major Bodies of Water: Persian GulfGulf of AdenRed SeaGulf of Oman Strait of HormuzTigris and Euphrates River

Oil and Gas Riches

Oil and Gas Riches

• Eastern edge of the Arabian Plate pressed against the Eurasian Plate.

• Pressure formed mountains in Northeastern Iraq.• Saudi Arabia has world’s largest oil reserves and

output.• Fold traps – held undersea layer of muck– Heat and pressure transformed muck into oil and natural

gas (fossil fuels)– Many fold traps formed in the Arabian plate, beneath the

Persian Gulf and Euphrates and Tigris river valley.

Living on Oil

• Oil and natural gas is used to pay for nearly all of their needs. Problem?

• Oil money is often used to build water facilities and pay for food grown in other regions.

• Arabia and Iraq produce ¼ of the world’s oil. Problem?

• Oil production has also harmed environment

Water Resources Desalination:Removal of salt from seawater.

A Diverse Region

Diversity

• Arab Muslims are majority • Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE are mostly non-Arab• Iraq – Kurdish minority • Tensions in Iraq– Sunni-led dictatorship toppled in 2003

Islam • Monotheism (def) • Followers of Muhammad • Islam “submission” • Holy text: Quran• Sharia law• Holy site: Mecca (Kabaa) • Worship in mosques• Divide after the death of Muhammad:

– Sunni• Abu Baker (1st Caliph)

– Shite• Ali

FaithPrayerAlmsgivingFastingHajj