World Geography Today Chapter 19 The Persian Gulf

World Geography Today Chapter 19 The Persian Gulf and Interior Preview Section 1: Natural Environments Section 2: History and Culture Section 3: The Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover • What landforms and rivers can be found in the Persian Gulf area and the interior of Southwest Asia? • How does the region’s physical geography affect its climates and biomes? • What natural resources does the region have?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Landforms and Rivers • Arabian Peninsula—Mountains in the west and dry plains stretching to the Persian Gulf in the east • Iraq—Wide plain of Mesopotamia, with two great rivers, Tigris and Euphrates • Iran—Zagros, Elburz, and Kopet-Dag Mountains, along with high plateaus • Afghanistan—Hindu Kush mountain range

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Question What factors influence the climate of Southwest Asia?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Factors Influencing Southwest Asia’s Climate High Pressure Orographic Effect • Dry climates • Humid near coast • Lack of water • Clear skies • Plants adapted to dry conditions • Humidity at mountain peaks • Rainfall on mountains • Trees in mountain regions Winds • Westerlies bring winter rains • Cyclonic storms • Southerly winds blow over water, drop rain on Elburz Mountains Elevation • Cooler temperatures in highlands • Resorts in mountains • Skiing in Iran

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Natural Resources • Water, a Scarce Resource • Tigris and Euphrates are critical to Iraq. • Farmers in northern Iran depend on rain; others rely on irrigation. • Desert areas may have oases and wells. • Desalinization of seawater is possible for wealthy countries.

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 1: Natural Environments Natural Resources (continued) • Oil, Plentiful and Valuable • Persian Gulf reserves are the world’s largest. • Iraq, Oman, and Yemen also have deposits. • Only Iran has substantial metallic ores. • There are few other resources in the region for developing industry.

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture Read to Discover • How have peoples, empires, and Islam affected the history of the Persian Gulf area and interior Southwest Asia? • What are the major features of the region’s cultures?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture Question How have various peoples and empires affected the history and culture of countries in Southwest Asia?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture Various peoples and empires have shaped history. • Sumerians built the first civilization and cities in the Fertile Crescent. • Akkadians created the first real empire in the area, around 2350 B. C. • Persians established a powerful empire around 550 B. C. • Greeks and Romans later controlled the region.

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture • The rise of Islam had a major impact, beginning in the late A. D. 500 s. Muhammad was born in Mecca, and established his Muslim community centered at Medina. • Mongols arrived in the 1200 s. • Safavid Persians built a flourishing empire in the 1500 s. • Ottoman Turks also ruled the region in the 1500 s.

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture Arabs Persians • Largest ethnic group in entire region • Arabic language dominant • Muslim Kurds • Muslim • In Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey • Desire self-rule • Language like Farsi • Farsi language • Dominant in Iranian society, hold most important positions Cultures of Southwest Asia Pashtun • Largest ethnic group in Afghanistan • Speak Pashtu language • Several small tribes

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features • Islam is the unifying element. • Arabs are the major group in the region; Arabic is the main language. • Kurds live in borderlands of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. • Cultural diversity is more complex in Iran and Afghanistan. • Most Iranians are Persians; other Farsi-related groups include Baloch, Bakhtiari, and Hazara. Turkic languages are spoken by the Turkmen, Azeri, and Qashqai. • Pashtun are the largest group in Afghanistan.

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 3: The Region Today Read to Discover • On what activities do the region’s economies depend? • What are the region’s cities like? • What are some important issues in the region today?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 3: The Region Today Question What activities drive the economy of the region?

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 3: The Region Today Oil Production • 8. 25 million barrels a day from Saudi Arabia Agriculture Nomadic Herding Traditional Crafts • Mostly subsistence • Wool rugs • Barley, wheat • Tend herds of camels, goats, and sheep • Livestock— sheep, goats, cattle • Make handicrafts • Economies modernized • Farms in • Increased by oil river valleys settling in wealth towns due • Commercial farming near to lack of • Oil-related manufactur- cities grazing land • Import food ing • Use local materials and traditional designs Manufacturing • Building materials • Food products • Oil refining, chemical manufacturing • Household supplies

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 3: The Region Today Urban Environments • Largest cities are the national capitals • Ancient cities • Old sections—Buildings one or two stories tall, twisting streets, bazaars, mosques • Newer sections—Modern buildings, wide avenues, traffic, high-rise apartments, fast-food outlets

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Section 3: The Region Today Important Issues • Oil wealth—Can influence oil prices and affect economies world-wide, protect tradition, support governments, build military • Power and authority—Democracy versus control by a few • Role of Islam—Maintenance of Islamic traditions and laws

World Geography Today Chapter 19 Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas 1. In what ways has the plant life of the region adapted to the conditions there? 2. Why has Mesopotamia been such an attractive target for invasion throughout history? 3. What is the major language spoken in Iran? In Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia? 4. What changes are taking place in the traditional rural economy and culture of the region? 5. What are two important factors accounting for Saudi Arabia’s influence in world affairs today?