Geography of the middle east

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Geography of the middle east
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The Middle East
Europe
Asia
North America
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
Africa
South America
Indian Ocean
Australia
Image from http//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Imag
eMap-World-Middle-East.png
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desert

• Many countries of the Middle East are made up of
  desert. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, Oman, and
  Egypt all have a long history of people adapting
  to the harsh desert environment. These people
  used creativity and determination to survive.

http//www.simplyben.com/Israel/photos/Desert3.JPG
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nomads
Nomads are people who move from place to place
with herds of animals. They usually live in tents
made of goats hair, and own few possessions so
that they can move quickly and easily. Men wear
long, loose fitting robes called thwabs. These
help keep sweat next to their skin, which cools
them like an air conditioner. Keeping the entire
body covered is important because it helps
prevent sunburn keeps sand from hitting them
all day. Men also wear a head covering called a
ghutra.

• Most nomads own herds of camels and goats. Both
  of these types of animals are very hardy and able
  to survive with little water. Nomads use the
  entire animal to help them survive the milk,
  meat, and skin.

http//www.juliebolder.com/nomads.jpg
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Camels the ships of the desert

• Camels have long been used by nomads and
  travelers in the Middle East. They are perfectly
  suited to carry people goods through the barren
  desert. Camels have nostrils that can close and
  three sets of eyelids to block out the sand.
  Their feet are large leathery, helping them to
  not sink in the soft sand. Camel mouths, tongues,
  and stomachs are tough enough to eat almost
  anything, even leather, cloth, and bone! They
  store water in their fat, allowing them to
  survive without water for days at a time. Traders
  used camel trains to carry vast amounts of goods
  to various trading centers throughout the Middle
  East.

http//www.saharatrek.com/images/MustSee/cam0101.j
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Taking a much-needed rest!

• The life of a nomad is hard. Taking time for a
  nap in the middle of a hot day is one way to find
  relief.

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http//ime.imb.org/resources/download/photos/image
s/Northern20Africa2020Middle20East/0002-08.jp
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oasis

• An oasis is a place that has water in the middle
  of a desert. The water bubbles up from
  underground springs, allowing many plants to
  grow. Oases are where nomads water their herds,
  find relief from the hot desert temperatures, and
  trade with other people. Traders brought spices
  such as frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon as well
  as items like gold and ivory.

http//www.bigfoto.com/asia/israel/israel-ilw6.jpg
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Adapting to thedesert
http//www.wegmans.com/kitchen/ingredients/produce
/fruit/images/date.jpg

• Date palms thrive in oases, needing very little
  water. They provide fruit (seen above) that is
  sweet and healthy.

http//www.mccullagh.org/db9/1ds-4/date-palm.jpg

• The trunks of the trees can be used to build
  homes or for firewood. The leaves can be used for
  roofs, the fibers for rope, and the trunks can be
  hollowed to make pipes or carry water for
  irrigation.

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mountains
The Middle East is not all desertthere are also
mountainous regions like the one in this picture.
http//pics.callmethebreeze.com/Landscape_Pics/Mor
occo/Rif20Mountains.jpg
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Mountain Villages

• Mountain settlements developed in extreme
  isolation. The rugged mountains cut people off
  from the desert and other areas, so the culture
  of each town developed separately. The way these
  people build their homes live their lives is
  very unique.

http//www.reportages-pictures.com/YEMEN/R0003920
Yemen201985/images/prevs/P111662.jpg
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Terracing

• When people carve steps into the side of a
  mountain, it is called terracing. This practice
  is used throughout the world to help grow crops
  on a steep slope. These terraces help catch
  rainfall as it flows down the mountain,
  irrigating the crops.

http//www.geogphotolibrary.com/absoluteig/gallery
2FIDMMOR29.jpg
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Arable land

• Arable land is land that is able to support
  crops. The mountainous region in the Middle East
  is able to grow exotic foods such as oranges and
  dates.

http//lambert.to/euro2004/morocco/steep-terracing
.jpg
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Coastal plains

• The Coastal Plains region of the Middle East
  includes all the flat areas of land that touch an
  ocean or sea.

http//www.ewpnet.co.uk/libya/tripoli.jpg
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http//www.1stlebanon.net/contenu/img/tripoli3.jpg
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Thriving cities

• The coastal plains region has always been the
  area where wealthy cities and kingdoms arose.
  This is because 1) the coastline provides an
  easy way for trade and 2) there is enough water
  and arable land to grow many crops.

http//www.solarnavigator.net/geography/geography_
images/Egypt_Cairo_evening_view_from_the_Tower_of_
Cairo_October_2004.jpg
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Natural resources

• One reason the Middle East is so important for us
  to study is because of all the natural resources
  found in the region. The amount of oil found in
  this region is staggering.

Turkey
Iraq
Iran
Kuwait
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Oman
Persian Gulf
Yemen
http//images.google.com/imgres?imgurlhttp//ias.
berkeley.edu/orias/2003/peace/satmap.jpgimgrefurl
http//ias.berkeley.edu/orias/2003/peace/map.htm
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• Consumption how much oil a region uses in cars,
  factories, etc.
• Production how much oil a region takes from
  their land and makes usable.
• Reserves how much oil a country still has left
  in their land

http//www.mbendi.co.za/indy/oilg/p0005.htm5
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