Essential Question:

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Cyprus

Cyprus 15

Directions: As we go through the information, you are to copy down the location and a description of each of SW Asia s important physical features. Blue = Description Red = Location

Many different civilizations developed in this small region because it is HIGHLY strategic and coveted Sumerians, who were replaced in turn by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Today this land is known as Iraq The land in between the two rivers is very fertile and a lot of agriculture takes place there. Some of the earliest civilizations developed here because of its agricultural bounty.

Greeks called this region Mesopotamia, which means "between the rivers."

Tigris River Provides water for both drinking and farming. Begins in Turkey & flows south through Iraq. The Tigris River joins the Euphrates in southern Iraq. Source of conflict as nations who share it argue over control.

Tigris River

Euphrates River The rivers of SW Asia are important because much of this region of the world is dry and desert or semi-desert. It provides water for both drinking and farming & is a source of conflict in the region. One of the longest rivers in the region, which begins in Turkey, and flows through Syria and Iraq.

Euphrates River

In southern Iraq, the Euphrates River joins with the Tigris River to form one waterway called the Shatt al-arab, which then flows along the border between Iraq and Iran and empties into the Persian Gulf.

Jordan River This small river is a main source of water for Israel, Jordan, parts of Syria, & many of those living in the West Bank & the Gaza Strip. The Jordan River is also important because it is the political boundary between Israel, the West Bank, & Jordan. The Jordan River starts in Lebanon & Syria & flows south until it reaches the Dead Sea.

Israel & Jordan A Fight Over Water Rights?

Jordan River

The Dead Sea is one of the saltiest bodies of water on Earth. Salt and other minerals have collected in it because it has no rivers running through it to make the water fresh. Water that flows in stays there and because so much evaporates in the desert air, the water remaining is high in salts and other chemicals. The Dead Sea is more than a thousand feet below sea level. Nothing but bacteria lives here. There are no fish living in the Dead Sea, and that is the reason for its name.

That s because the water is so much denser than you that it makes you naturally buoyant. Just don t get the water in your eyes. It ll sting.

Essential Question:

I CAN...

Directions: As we go through the information, you are to copy down the location and a description of each of SW Asia s important physical features. Blue = Description Red = Location

Strait of Hormuz Any ships coming out of or into the Persian Gulf must navigate through this very narrow waterway, located at one end of the Persian Gulf. Choke point: Could easily be blocked, preventing oil exports. Connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Strait of Hormuz Most important oil supply route.

Suez Canal Connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea without having to sail all around the continent of Africa.

120-mile man-made waterway began by the French & completed by the British in 1869 to transport goods to & from all 3 continents. Today: major shipping route for oil exported from this region. Suez Canal

Red Sea

Red Sea Part of sea roads between Europe, Persian Gulf, and East Asia where heavy shipping traffic takes place. During Roman Empire, it was an important route for trade between Rome and China. During the Middle Ages, it was an key part of the Spice Trade. Pirate Alley ~ Somali pirates notorious for attacks on shipping vessels near area of Gulf of Aden. Inlet of the Indian Ocean that lies between Africa and Asia.

Red Sea

Arabian Sea

Arabian Sea Forms part of a key shipping route between Europe and India via the Suez Canal. Sailors crossed the sea using seasonal monsoon winds in a ship called a dhow.

Arabian Sea

Arabian Sea North of the Indian Ocean

Persian Gulf The Persian Gulf is one of the main ways oil is shipped from the rich fields of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other countries that line its shores. All of the countries that produce oil in that region depend on the Persian Gulf as a shipping route.

Persian Gulf Located between the country of Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.

Persian Gulf

Peninsula a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. There are three peninsulas in the area Sinai, Anatolia, Arabian

The largest is the Arabian Peninsula, dominated by the country of Saudi Arabia.

ARABIAN PENINSULA The region s largest desert: Rub Al Khali found here, providing a natural barrier against invasion. Home to the largest oil reserve known to man.

ARABIAN PENINSULA Surrounded by the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, & Persian Gulf.

Be The Thing Label page 10 of your Interactive Notebook with the title of this task and today s Essential Question.

10 EQ: Where are SW Asia s major physical features located and why are they important? (AKS 41a & 43) Be The Thing! This is where you will complete this task!

Essential Question:

Be The Thing Label page 10 of your Interactive Notebook with the title of this task and today s Essential Question. Your Task: Choose ONE of SW Asia s physical features and we ll try to guess what you are! Imagine that you are one of the physical features of SW Asia. Using descriptive details, include at least 5 to 8 interesting facts about yourself. Draw a colorful illustration of the feature underneath your description. Here s My Example

Who Am I? First of all, I consider myself to be Southwest Asia s most important physical feature of all time. If it were not for me, ships in my region would have extreme difficulty trading worldwide. I am the elbow of physical features in Southwest Asia. Blocking me would easily tamper with the prices and supply of one of the world s most essential natural resources. The country that controls navigation through me uses me as a threat quite often. Who am I?

Who Am I? The Strait of Hormuz!

Be The Thing Your Task: Choose ONE of SW Asia s physical features and we ll try to guess what you are! Imagine that you are one of the physical features of SW Asia. Using descriptive details, include at least 5 to 8 interesting facts about yourself. Draw a colorful illustration of the feature underneath your description. DUE: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22 nd!