SW Asia Geography

• Study notes for SW Asia

Physical Geography of SW Asia

• Golan Heights was heavily contested between Israel and Syria in the 1967 war, due to its strategic importance for land and water resources.
• Tectonic plates in the region are responsible for shaping the land and causing earthquakes.
• Mountains can isolate regions and prevent moisture from passing through.
• Major water bodies like the Tigris, Euphrates, and Jordan River support agriculture, assist trade, and may result in disagreement.
• Key water bodies include: Tigris, Euphrates, Jordan River, Dead Sea.
• Resources are primarily oil, gas, and phosphates, though water is limited.

SW Asia Deserts

• Rub al-Khali is a vast, sandy desert also known as the Empty Quarter.
• Irrigation enables farming but contributes to water shortages.
• Salt flats are difficult terrains with extreme conditions.
• Coastal regions experience more trade and milder climates compared to inland areas.

Resources

• Both ancient and modern water management techniques are employed due to water scarcity.
• Oil drilling involves seismic surveys, drilling, refining, and transportation.
• Dangers associated with oil include spills, leaks, pollution, and political conflicts.

Cultural Geography of SW Asia

• Mecca is the holiest city in Islam and the destination for the Hajj pilgrimage.
• Islam spread via conquest and trade.
• Muhammad is the founder of Islam.
• A theocracy is a government ruled by religious leaders, such as in Iran.
• OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) influences oil prices.

Religion

• Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are all practiced in the region.
• The Western Wall in Jerusalem is a sacred Jewish prayer site.
• The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located in Jerusalem.
• The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) aims to establish an independent Palestinian state.

Conflicts

• The Kurds are an ethnic group that does not have their own country.
• Sunni and Shi’ite are the two major Islamic sects, divided by different views on leadership.
• Regional conflicts are fueled by religion, oil, and territory.

People & Environment

• Guest workers are often migrants who can be vulnerable to exploitation.
• Stateless nations include groups like the Kurds and Palestinians.

Resources

• Oil is considered a strategic commodity due to its high value and importance, leading to conflicts.
• Revenues from oil in Southwest Asia are invested in infrastructure and modernization.
• Diversification of the economy is necessary because oil resources are finite.
• Human resources refer to the skills and labor force available.