The Middle East Geography Executive Summary The Land

The Middle East Geography

Executive Summary The Land Climate Resources Flora and Fauna Surviving in desert climates

A. The Land 1. Strategic Location * Definition: Important to the world for military and economic reasons a. Africa, Europe, and Asia converge b. Important trade routes 1) Strait of Hormuz 2) Suez Canal * Pictures Next Page

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A. The Land continued 2. Major Regions a. Northern Tier * Turkey to Iran b. Arabian Peninsula 1) Oil 2) Birthplace of Islam c. Fertile Crescent d. Nile Valley e. Pictures Next Page

Northern Tier Fertile Crescent Arabian Peninsula Nile River Valley Return

B. Climate 1. Water a. < 10% of ME receives enough rain to support life b. Irrigation c. Desalination: salt water into fresh d. Clash Over the Euphrates * Pictures 2. Temperature a. Deserts: hot in day, cold at night b. Mountains * Next Page

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B. 3. 4. C. 1. 2. 3. * Climate continued Earthquakes * (Not really climate but oh well) Pictures Resources Oil and gas * Discuss more later Fruit Cotton Pictures

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D. Flora and Fauna 1. Flora a. Poppies b. Dates / figs 2. Fauna a. Scorpions b. Spiders c. Camels d. Snakes * Pictures Next Page

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E. Surviving in a Desert Climate 1. Low rainfall / Inadequate water / dehydration a. At 68ºF body loses about 2 to 3 L per day b. In hot climate, need about 4 to 8 gal day c. Brown urine / no urine d. Drink at regular intervals 2. Air temps during the day can be 120 to 130º F a. Sweating cools your body 1) Stop sweating is DANGER sign 2) Wear long sleeves and long pants b. Rocks / sand can be 40º higher than air c. Cramps, cold clammy skin, headaches, mental changes are all symptoms of heat stroke

E. Surviving in a Desert Climate continued 3. Temps at night can be below freezing a. Try to rest during the day – in shade b. Travel at night if possible 4. Distances are 3 x greater than perceived * What looks like 1 mile is actually 3 5. Sandstorms a. Wear goggles or tight fitting glasses b. Bandana over mouth * Remember “what goes in, must come out” (can you say sandpaper) 6. Intense sunlight a. Cover skin b. Cover eyes

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E. Surviving in a Desert Climate continued 7. Shake out boots, sleeping bags, or any other hides for scorpions, centipedes, spiders, et cetera 8. Inspect places before you place hands or feet for snakes, et cetera Source: US Army Survival Manual Other: do your research before venturing out.