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SS7G7 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, Distribution of natural resources and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East).
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SS7G7 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, Distribution of natural resources and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East). b. Describe how the deserts and rivers of Southwest Asia (Middle East) have affected the population in terms of where people live, the type of work they do, and how they travel.
Let’s think about this… • Write down a few examples of how WHERE you live affects HOW you live… • For example, if we live in Alaska, will we wear the same clothes as we would if we lived in Florida? • What about food? Is it the same everywhere you go? • What about how we get around? This is dependent on where we live as well…
What does this mean? • There are many things that impact where people live and how their lives function day – to – day • Location • Climate • Resources available • Physical characteristics
Location of the Middle East • Southwest Asia is between 3 major continents: Europe, Africa, Asia • The location of the Middle East makes it perfect for trade!
For centuries trade through the Middle East has occurred. Ships loaded with goods came from Asia to the Middle East. • Goods traveled from there by caravan to the Mediterranean and Red Seas. • Today the Suez Canal in Egypt links the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. • Goods can travel from Asia to Europe by ship without using camel caravans.
Middle East Climate *The climate of a region impacts how and where people live as well • The Middle East is usually very hot and dry • Mountain ranges block moisture coming from the oceans and seas nearby; most of the interior is desert ( it can reach 140 degrees F in the desert!) • Coastal areas and river areas have enough water to support agriculture and large towns/cities
Resources available: The Impact of Rivers in the Middle East • 3 major river systems • Euphrates River • runs through Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Kuwait • Tigris River • runs through Turkey, Iraq, and Kuwait • Jordan River • part of the border of Syria, Jordan, the West Bank, and Israel
These major rivers provide: • Water for drinking • Water for irrigation • Water for transportation and trade • Boundaries between nations • Major cities are located on or near these rivers – centers of industry (jobs)
However, as we know, water is a SCARCEresource in the Middle East which makes it often times the source of conflict! • When multiple people NEEDa resource and there is not enough to go around, it can cause major problems!
Physical Characteristics: Deserts in the Middle East • Southwest Asia has a lot of desert areas. • Syrian Desert between Syria & Iraq • Rub al-Khali or “Empty Quarter” in southern Saudi Arabia
Importance of Deserts • Deserts serve as a natural barrier against invasion. • Deserts have also led to a way of life developed around surviving the harsh conditions • People (Bedouins – desert nomads) have managed to live in the desert in tent camps and survive as sheep and camel herders. • A nomad is someone who moves from place to place often in search of natural resources and things needed to live • Why do you think people living in a desert are nomads? • How do they make a living? • They trade animals and handmade goods with those who live in towns on the desert’s edge.
Transportation – how do people get around? • The most common form of transportation in the Middle East DESERTS are camels • In cities and towns people will drive cars oruse modern types of transportation • Most people tend to live in citiesfor jobsand to be near a watersource
