Title: Geography of the middle east
1Geography of the middle east
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2The 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
2
3desert
- 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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4nomads
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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5Camels 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
pg
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6Taking 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
g
7oasis
- 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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8Adapting 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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9mountains
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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10Mountain 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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11Terracing
- 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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12Arable 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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13Coastal 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
14Thriving 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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15Natural 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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dMtbnh111tbnw124prev/images3Fq3Dgeography
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26hl3Den
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16- 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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