Geographical Terrains in the Arab World PDF

Chapter Two: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World e pl m Sa se lip About the Chapter Terrain is a land of a particular kind. The Arab world has a v...

Chapter Two: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World e pl m Sa se lip About the Chapter Terrain is a land of a particular kind. The Arab world has a variety Ec of terrains. Geographical terrains in the Arab World can be divided into three types, the Huge Arid Desert covering most of it, the fertile south and north and finally the High Mountains. This chapter focuses on the major geographical terrains in the Arab World with some examples of each. Chapter 2 e Geographical Terrains in the Arab pl World m Lesson 1: Geography of the Arab League Sa Lesson 2: The Sahara Desert Lesson 3: Badiyat Al-Sham: A Case Study se Lesson 4: Major Valleys in the Arab World lip Lesson 5: The Importance of Mountains Lesson 6: Major Mountains in the Arab World Ec Lesson 7: The Atlas Mountains: A Case Study Lesson 8: Major Plains in the Arab World Lesson 1 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Geography of the Arab League A- Introduction The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the twenty two states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the e Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the east, and pl from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to the Horn of Africa and the Indian Ocean in the southeast. m The Arab League is a regional organization that consists of twenty-two countries in western Asia and northern Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Sa Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Arab League’s member states are primarily speakers of Arabic. The headquarters of the Arab League is in Cairo, Egypt. se lip Ec 19  e pl m Hawar Islands Sa se lip Ec Lesson 1 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World B- Regions The Arab League can be divided into two main geographical regions, the Asian part, which has twelve states and the African part, which is the larger part, and has ten states. These states according to the United Nation regional geographical divisions of the world are divided into four regions as follows: e 1- West Asia which includes: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, pl Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Syria , the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. m 2- Northern Africa which includes: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco the Sudans (North Sudan and South Sudan), and Tunisia. Sa 3- Western Africa which includes: Mauritania 4- Eastern Africa which includes: Comoros, Djibouti, and Somalia. se C- Landforms Landforms are natural physical features found on the surface lip of the Earth. There are many types of landforms on the Earth’s surface. Common types of landforms include mountains, valleys, plateaus and plains. They are created by forces of nature such as wind, water and ice. They are also created by movement of Ec the Earth’s plates. Some landforms are created in a few hours; others take millions of years to appear. Groups of landforms in a particular area are called landscapes. Almost 80% of the Arab world is covered in desert, stretching from Mauritania and Morocco to Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Several deserts span the Arab League such as the Sahara Desert, the Arabian Desert and the Syrian Desert. 21 Lesson 1 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World There are several high mountains in the Arab World such as the Atlas Mountains, Lebanon Mountains and the Hijaz Mountain range. The highest point in the Arab League is in Morocco called Jabal Toubkal. While the lowest point in the Arab League is the Dead e Sea in Jordan. pl D- Climate Arab League falls in the following climate regions. 1- Arid Climate m Sa Arid climate is characterized by a high evaporation, excessive heat, low rainfall, and low precipitations. Almost 80 percent of Arab League is covered in desert. Several deserts span the Arab League such as Al-Dahna Desert, Arabian Desert, Libyan Desert, se Naqab Desert, Rub’al khali Desert, Al-Nefud Desert, the Sahara Desert, Tihamah Desert, and the Syrian Desert. lip 2- The Semi-arid Climate The second most common climate in the Arab League is the semi-arid. It can be described as climate intermediates between Ec arid climates and humid climates. This climate region can be found in all Arab countries except Lebanon and Comoros. 3- The Moderate Mediterranean Climate In this type of climate the rainy season is during autumn and winter. Summers are hot with no rains; winter temperatures are mild. This climatic region has the highest population density in the Arab World; almost 350 million citizens live within this region. 22 Lesson 1 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 4- Tropical Wet Climate In the tropical climate, rainfall occurs during the summer. The greater the distance from the Equator, the shorter the rainy season is. In this type of climate winters are long and dry. This type of climate is found in the Comoros Islands. e pl m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.1: The Comoros Islands 23 Lesson 1 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 5- Tropical Wet and Dry Climate This climate can be described as climate intermediates between tropical climates and dry climates. It can be found in southern Sudan and southern Somalia. e pl m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.2: Map of Somalia 24 Lesson 2 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Sahara Desert A- Introduction to Deserts Deserts are part of a wider classification of regions called “dry lands”.These lands cover about one fifth of the Earth’s surface e and they are found on every continent. They occur where rainfall is less than 25 centimeters a year. pl B- Main Characteristics of Deserts m Although deserts have different specialized vegetation and different specialized vertebrate and invertebrate animals, most deserts have common features as follows. Sa 1- One of the main characteristics of a desert is that it receives very little precipitation throughout the year. Desert lands frequently lose more moisture through evaporation than they receive from se annual precipitation. 2- The desert’s climate is very hot and dry. Deserts are often lip extremely hot during the day and at night the temperature falls 40-50 degrees or more. The reason for this is that there is little evaporation in the atmosphere Ec to block sunlight during the day and at night allows heat to escape easily. 3- Generally, not many plants and animals can survive in the desert, but the ones that do are adapted to the intense heat, searing sun, and lack of water. Desert plants and animals have adapted to the desert by holding in a lot of water for a long time. 25 Lesson 2 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World For example, a camel, the largest animal of the desert, has the ability to store large amounts of water for a long time enabling it to survive in the harsh, dry desert. Some plants have adapted to the arid climate by growing long roots that tap water from deep underground. e pl m Sa se lip Figure 2.3: Desert Plants Ec 26 Lesson 2 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Activity 1: Study the World Desert Map (non-polar deserts) below. e pl m Figure 2.4: World Desert Map (non-polar deserts) (Image by USGS) Sa Answer the following questions: 1- What are the three types of deserts that the map shows? 2- What is the largest desert? se 3- What is the second largest desert? 4- In which continent is the Sahara Desert located? lip 5- In which continent is the Arabian Desert located? B- The Sahara Desert Ec 1- Location The Sahara Desert is located in the northern portion of Africa and covers over 3,500,000 square miles (9,000,000 sq km). It is bounded in the east by the Red Sea and it stretches west to the Atlantic Ocean. To the north, the Sahara Desert’s northern boundary is the Mediterranean Sea, while in the south it ends at the Sahel, an area where the desert landscape transforms into a semi-arid tropical savanna. 27 Lesson 2 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Sahara Desert is the biggest hot desert in the world. It covers many Arab countries in North Africa like Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. The Sahara is really huge, stretching over 9 million square kilometers. It takes up a big part of these countries and has a big influence on the way people live and the culture in this area. e pl m Sa se Figure 2.5: The Sahara Desert 2- The Sahara Topographical Features The Sahara’s topographical features include shallow basins, large lip oasis depressions, gravel-covered plains, plateaus, mountains, sand sheets, dunes and sand seas (ergs). Over 25 percent of the Sahara’s surface is covered by sand sheets and dunes. Ec 3- Drainage Numerous rivers that originate outside of the Sahara enter it through underground waterways or by contributing to sources of surface water. In the southern part of the Sahara the majority of the water comes from the Nile River and the other rivers that flow to the Mediterranean. In the north, the greater part of the water flows from the Atlas Mountains and highlands of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco in the form of streams and wadis (ephemeral streams). 28 Lesson 2 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 4- The Climate of the Sahara Desert The Sahara desert is one of the hottest regions of the world. Azizia, Libya, holds the world record high temperature of 136.4° F. (58° C.). The Sahara climate consists of basically two sub-climates, a dry subtropical climate in the north and a dry tropical climate in the south. The dry tropical climate is generally characterized by mild, e dry winters, and a hot dry season just before the rainy season. The dry subtropical climate is characterized by annually high temperature pl ranges, cold winters, hot summers and two rainy seasons. 5- Plant Life m The Sahara is sparsely covered with various types of vegetation Sa ranging from grasses, shrubs, and trees in the highlands such as species of cypress and olive, oleander, and date palm. 6- Animal Life se Some of the mammal species found within the Sahara are the gerbil, jerboa, Cape hare, the desert hedgehog, gazelle, deer, spotted hyena, common jackal, sand fox, Libyan striped weasel, lip and the slender mongoose. The Sahara also contains many species of migratory bird population such as ostriches, raptors, and secretary birds. Numerous types of reptiles including frogs, toads, snails Ec and crocodiles can be found within the Sahara’s lakes, rivers, and pools of water. The Sahara was not always as dry as it is now. About 8,000 years ago, the area experienced cycles of heavier rainfall in which a wide variety of plant and animal life flourished. 29 Lesson 3 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Badiyat Al-Sham: A Case Study Badiyat Al- Sham is a combination of desert and steppe, covered in large part by basalt rocks from lava flows. It is also known as the Greater Badiyat al-Sham (Badiyat al-Sham al-Kubra) because it extends between the desert of Al-Nufud on the Arabian Peninsula e and the Euphrates River. pl It is located in the northern Arabian Peninsula covering 200,000 square miles (over 500,000 square kilometers). Badiyat Al-Sham covers parts of Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and western Iraq. m The desert is roughly triangular in shape and reaches its greatest width, about 600 miles (970 km), along the base in the south. Sa Most of the land consists of relatively flat, stony, and sandy plains that have little or no vegetation. se lip Ec Figure 2.6: Badiyat Al-Sham vegetation 30 Lesson 3 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Climate of the Badia All the regions of the Badia (or desert) have harsh desert climate. It varies widely between day and night, and between summer and winter. Daytime summer temperatures can exceed 40°C, while winter nights can be very cold, dry and windy. Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, averaging less than 50 millimeters annually. e Badiyat Al-Sham Major Oases pl In geography, an oasis is an isolated area of vegetation in a desert. Many oases exist in Badiyat Al-Sham. The locations of Badiyat m Al-Sham’s major oases have been of critical importance for trade and transportation routes in desert areas. Sa A- Palmyra (Tadmur) Palmyra is an oasis in the heart of the Syrian Desert. It is located northeast of Damascus. Located near a hot-water spring called se Afqa, Palmyra had long been a vital caravan city for travelers crossing the Syrian Desert moving between Iraq and Al-Sham (present day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan). lip Palmyra has a heroic history during the reign of Queen Zenobia and was known as the Bride of the Desert. Ec Figure 2.7: Palmyra 31 Lesson 3 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Azraq Oasis Azraq Oasis is a unique wetland oasis located in the northeastern part of Jordan, extending northwards into Syria and southwards touching the border with Saudi Arabia. Azraq Oasis was a traditional caravan stopping point. It is the e only permanent, natural wetland in the Jordanian desert. It has the only water in the entire Jordan eastern desert and one of the pl most important recharging groundwater basins in Jordan. There are four main springs which supply Azraq with its water. m Azraq Oasis contains a wealth of biodiversity and habitats which are extremely rare in the region. Each year flocks of birds visit Sa Azraq during their annual migration. se lip Ec Figure 2.8: Azraq Oasis 32 Lesson 3 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Al-Ghuta Oasis Also known as Damascus Ghouta or Oasis of Damascus, it is a green agricultural belt surrounding the city of Damascus, in the south and east. Human settlements in Ghouta Oasis date back to ancient times. e It has provided its inhabitants with a variety of cereals, vegetables and fruits for thousands of years. Today the Ghouta Oasis has pl been decreasing in size because of the rapid expansion of housing and industry in the city. m Animals Sa Badiyat Al-Sham is not different from other deserts. The few plants and animals of Badiyat Al-Sham are of the type that can survive the desert climate. Camels, horses, wolves, and hamsters live in Badiyat Al-Sham, along with gazelle, jerboa, vipers, and various lizards. Many desert species in Badiyat Al-Sham have se already become extinct due to hunting and habitat degradation. Some animals, such as the Oryx and sand gazelle, have been re-introduced to Badiyat Al-Sham preserves, where they are now lip protected. Ec Figure 2.9: Arabian Oryx Figure 2.10: Arabian Sand Gazelle 33 Lesson 4 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Major Valleys in the Arab World A- Introduction A valley is an extended depression in the Earth’s surface that is usually bounded by hills or mountains and is normally occupied by e a river or stream. They are formed through erosion or the gradual wearing down of the land by wind and water. In river valleys for pl example, the river acts as an erosional agent by grinding down the rock or soil and creating a valley. m Valleys are one of the most common landforms on the Earth. They have been important places for people since the beginning Sa of human development because of their presence close to rivers. B- Jordan Rift Valley A rift valley is linear-shaped lowland between highlands or se mountain ranges created by the action of a geologic rift. A rift is a place where the Earth’s crust and lithosphere are being pulled apart. lip The largest rift valley in the world is the Great Rift Valley in East Africa, 6,000 km (3,700 mi) in length, extending from Syria in the north to Mozambique in the far south. Ec Most of the world’s largest freshwater lakes are in rift valleys, including Lake Baikal in Russia, Lake Tanganyika in Africa, Lake Superior in the United States, and a number of others. 34 Lesson Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Jordan Rift Valley extends from south of Lake Tabaria to the Gulf of Aqaba. The lowest point in the Jordan Rift Valley is at the shores of the Dead Sea, which is also the lowest point (on land) on the surface of the Earth at 400 meters below sea level. e Year-round agricultural climate, fertile soils and water supply made Jordan Rift Valley a pl site for agriculture. Produce from the valley is being exported to neighboring regions. The construction of the Ghor Canal (now m known as the King Abdullah Canal), by the Jordanian government and the modern Sa methods of farming have vastly expanded Figure 2.11: Satellite image of the agricultural output of the area. the Jordan Rift Valley se lip Ec Figure 2.12: Jordan Rift Valley 35 Lesson 4 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World C- The Nile Valley A river valley is a valley that has a river flowing through its bottom. A valley formed by flowing water, or river valley, is usually V-shaped. The Nile Valley is a canyon running 660 miles long with a floodplain occupying 4,250 square miles. The Nile Valley and Delta, the e most extensive oasis on Earth, was created by the world’s longest river which traverses about 1,600 kilometers through Egypt and pl flows northward from the Egyptian-Sudanese border to the Mediterranean Sea. The fertility and productivity of the Nile m Valley depends largely on the silt deposited by floodwaters. Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.13: Aerial view of the Nile Valley 36 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Importance of Mountains A- Introduction A mountain is a landform that stretches high above the surrounding terrain in a limited area. Mountains usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or slightly rounded ridges and peaks. e pl Mountain ranges are long chains or groups of mountains. Ranges are usually 1,000 or more miles long. The Rocky Mountains and the Himalayan Mountains are examples of mountain ranges. m Mountain ecosystems are found throughout the world, from the equator almost to the poles. Mountains make up one-fifth of the Sa world’s landscape, and provide homes to at least one-tenth of the world’s people. They have ecological and socioeconomic values not only for their inhabitants, but for millions of people living in lowlands. B- The Importance of Mountains se 1- Mountains and Rivers Mountains are places where lip many rivers begin their sources. For example, the Himalayan Mountains are the source of the River Ganges. The treeless Ec mountains of Upper Qinghai are the source of the Yangtze River, the third largest river in the world. The rivers and streams that flow from mountain slopes connect mountain and lowland communities. More than half the world’s population relies on the fresh water that flows from these mountain watersheds. Figure 2.14: The Rhine River begins at the Rheinwaldhorn Glacier in the Swiss Alps. 37 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 2- Mountains Ecosystems Discuss: What physical characteristics of mountains distinguish their ecosystems? Mountains ecosystems are globally important as centers of biological diversity. They compress a wide range of climates and ecosystems e into a relatively small area. Mountains include other ecosystem types, such as forests and inland waters. For example, Tropical pl forests, Subtropical forests, Temperate and Alpine forest ecosystems are found more or less parallel to each other across the length of the Himalayan regions. m Mountains are home to numerous plants and animals. Read the Sa case study below. Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) Indian Himalayan Region is a treasure house of biological and se cultural diversity. A review of existing information on the Himalayan Flora reveals that there are approximately 10,000 species of vascular plants in the Indian Himalayan Region, which forms more than 50 lip percent of the Indian Flora. Over 240 mammal species have been described across the IHR, Ec of which 12 are endemic. Around 750 bird species are recorded from across the region, with 20 endemics. It is estimated that there are approximately 270 species of fishes in the IHR of which 33 species are endemic. 38 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World e pl m Figure 2.15: The Himalayan region biodiversity Discuss: Mountains are of value to future generations and we Sa have an ethical responsibility to conserve these values for them. 3- Mountains and Freshwater se Mountains play a critical role in the water cycle. High snowy mountains play a central role in collecting and storing the freshwater for settlements, agriculture and industries. lip Mountains intercept air circulating around the globe and force it upwards where it condenses into clouds, which provide rain and snow. Mountains also store water in various ways, including the Ec formation of snow and ice which is later released as melt-off during warmer periods. 39 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World e pl m Sa se lip Figure 2.16: Water Cycle Ec “Mountains are often called nature’s water towers”. Explain 40 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 4- Mountains Wood Wood, or charcoal fuel is one of the energy sources for the mountain settlers or people living in urban centers in the lowlands and on the plains. For example, in Marrakech fuel wood is used by many bakeries; the wood comes from the forests in the Atlas Mountains. e pl m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.17: Atlas Cedar Forests 41 Lesson 5 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World e pl m Sa se Figure 2.18: Cutting down forests for commercial use Mountain wood also has many other uses, including timber and lip wood products both for local use and for export. Class Discussion: Read and Explain. Ec In China, mountain forests are being increasingly recognized for their role in clean water supply, water regulation, and flood control. Cutting down forests for commercial uses have many negative effects. Explain. 42 Lesson 6 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Major Mountains in the Arab World Jabal Toubkal The highest point in the Arab League is in Morocco called Jabal Toubkal e standing 4,165m tall, pl making it the 40th highest place on Earth, and 6th in Africa. It is located 63 km m south of the city of Marrakech in Morocco. Sa Figure 2.19: Jabal Toubkal Jabal Al-Nabi Shu’ayb The next highest point in the Arab League is Jabal Al-Nabi Shu’ayb in Yemen. It is located in Sana’a governorate. It is the se highest mountain of the country and the highest mountain in the Arabian Peninsula. Although the summit of this mountain is not snow-capped like its counterparts in northern Lebanon and Syria, lip frost in the winter is there daily. Wind speeds are very high at the summit. Ec Figure 2.20: Jabal Al-Nabi Shu’ayb 43 Lesson 6 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Cheekha Dar Cheekha Dar, or Black Tent, is the local Kurdish name for the mountain currently thought to be the highest in Iraq. It is six kilometers north e of the village of Gundah pl Zhur and is on the border with Iran. Figure 2.21: Cheekha Dar Carmel Mountain in m Sa Palestine Mount Carmel is a well-known coastal mountain in northern se Palestine, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the southeast. Archeologists lip have discovered ancient oil presses at various locations on Mount Carmel. Figure 2.22: Carmel Mountain Ec Mount Sinai Mount Sinai, located within the Sinai Mountains on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, stands at 2,285m high. Figure 2.22: View from the summit of Mount Sinai 44 Lesson 6 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Hermon Mountain (Jabal al Shaikh) Jabal al Shaikh is the highest mount in great Syria (Bilad Al Sham). It is part of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range. Its summit straddles the border between Syria and Lebanon. This mountain has three distinct summits which are about the same height with snowfall covering them all. e Jabal al Shaikh is also called the “snowy mountain,” the “gray-haired pl mountain,” and the “mountain of snow”. It’s highest peak is more than 9,000 feet high. It is an inviting place to hike all year round. m Sa se lip Figure 2.23: Mount Hermon, Lebanon-Syria border. Ec 45 Lesson 6 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Hajar Mountains The Hajar Mountains are located in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. They are the highest Mountain range in the eastern Arabian e Peninsula. They separate the low coastal plain of pl Oman from the high desert plateau. m The Hajar Mountains of the Figure 2.24: The Hajar Mountains UAE are part of the Hajar range of mountains that extend from Sa central Oman. They are located 100km (62 miles) south of Dubai city, along the border with Oman. The range is divided into the Eastern Hajar Mountains and Western Hajar Mountains. The Hajar Mountains consist of a complex of igneous and sedimentary rocks. For this reason they are of tremendous interest to geologists. se The central section of the Hajjar is Jabel Akhdar (9,834 feet (2,980 m), the highest mountain in Oman. lip Ec 46 Lesson 7 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Atlas Mountains: A Case Study The Atlas Mountain Range is a series of mountain peaks that run along the northwestern portion of the African continent, extending approximately about 2,500 km (1,500 miles) through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia differentiating them from the other North African countries. The Atlas ranges separate the Mediterranean and e Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. pl The Atlas Mountains are rich in natural resources. Within the mountain range, there is a wide variety of mineral deposits of m lead, zinc, iron, manganese, gold, silver, and phosphates. There are also petroleum reserves. Sa Atlas mountain range is comprised of several ranges, rising to various elevations. The range can be divided into three general regions from west to east: se 1- Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas (Morocco) 2- Saharan Atlas (Algeria) lip 3- Tell Atlas (Algeria, Tunisia) Ec 47 Lesson 7 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Middle Atlas Mountains The Middle Atlas is a portion of the Atlas mountain range lying completely in Morocco. The Middle Atlas Mountains have many peaks that exceed 2,400 meters, with the highest being Mount Bou Nasser which is 3,340 meters high. Covered by cedar forests, the mountains form fishing, hunting, and a skiing area. Its wealth e of biodiversity, both in fauna and flora, makes the Middle Atlas a popular tourist destination. pl m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.25: Middle Atlas Mountains 48 Lesson 7 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World High Atlas Mountains The High Atlas, also called the Grand Atlas Mountains, in central Morocco rises in the west at the Atlantic coast and stretches in an eastern direction to the Moroccan-Algerian border. The High Atlas is the biggest mountain range in North Africa. The villages in the High Atlas are small but thriving and are home to the Berbers. The e High Atlas has many fertile valleys surrounded by rivers and waterfalls. Both the High and Middle Atlas slopes have dense forests containing pl cedar, pine, cork, and oak trees. m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.26: High Atlas Mountains 49 Lesson 7 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Anti-Atlas Mountains The Anti-Atlas Range or Lesser Atlas or Little Atlas, is one of the mountain ranges lying in Morocco, as part of the Atlas Mountains. This range runs parallel to and southward of the central range of the Atlas Mountains of North Africa to the Atlantic. The area provides a wide variety of scenery and an excellent network of roads and e tracks in the mountains. pl m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.27: Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas (Morocco) Map Saharan Atlas Mountains The Saharan Atlas of Algeria is the eastern portion of the Atlas mountain range, extending across northern Africa from Algeria into Tunisia. The Saharan Atlas is one of the vast plateaus of Africa. 50 Lesson 7 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Tell Atlas Mountains The Tell Atlas is a mountain chain over 1,500 kilometers in length and stretching from Morocco, through Algeria to Tunisia. It parallels the Mediterranean coast. e pl m Sa se Figure 2.28: Map showing the location of the Atlas Mountains across North Africa This mountain range has been the home of many animal species of Africa like; Atlas bear, Atlas cedar, Atlas mountain viper and Barbary leopard. Many of the African plant species such as lip European black pine, Algerian oak and dippers; are also found in these Atlas Mountains. Ec Figure 2.29: Barbary leopard 51 Lesson 8 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Major Plains in the Arab World A- Introduction A plain is a flat surface that is broad and level. Plains are generally lower than the land around them; they may be found along a coast e or inland. They are flat or rolling in shape, and are less than 500 feet above sea level. Plains cover more than one-third of the land pl on Earth. There are three types of plains in the Arab World: coastal plains, flood plains and inland plains. In this lesson two types of plains will be presented. m B- The Mediterranean Coastal Plains Sa A coastal plain is an area of low-lying land adjacent to a sea. It stretches along a seacoast which slopes toward the sea. The Mediterranean Coastal Plains are plains that lie along the Mediterranean Sea. Below are some major Mediterranean se Coastal Plains in the Arab World. 1- The Coastal Plain of Syria: This plain is a narrow, fertile lip coastal plain, about 20 miles in width that runs down the western side of the country. It stretches south from the Turkish border to Lebanon as seen in the map below. Ec Figure 2.30: Coastal Plain of Syria 52 Lesson 8 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World 2- The Coastal Plains of Palestine: These plains are located along the Mediterranean Sea coast. The Coastal Plains of Palestine are Saruunah plain, Mount Carmel plain and the Acre plain. e pl m Sa se Figure 2.31: Palestinian farmers worked in their land in the coastal plains in 1944 3- The Sahil Plain of Tunisia: Tunisia is a country situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, midway between the Atlantic lip Ocean and the Nile Valley. The Sahil is a plain along Tunisia’s eastern Mediterranean coast famous for its olive monoculture. B- Flood Plains Ec A flood plain is the floor of a river valley beyond the riverbed. A flood plain is formed of mud, sand, and silt that are left behind when the river overflows its banks. A river in flood conditions can carry a large amount of eroded material, which the overflow waters deposit onto the flood plain. Egypt Flood Plain is an example of flood plains in the Arab World. 53 Lesson 8 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World Egypt Flood Plain: A Case Study The Nile is the longest river in the world, stretching north for approximately 4,000 miles from east Africa to the Mediterranean. The Nile has two major tributaries, the White Nile and Blue Nile. The two rivers meet near the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. The e northern section of the river flows almost entirely through desert, from Sudan into Egypt. The Nile ends in a large delta that empties pl into the Mediterranean Sea. (See figure 2.40) m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.32: The Nile 54 Lesson 8 Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in the Arab World The Nile in Egypt extends for 1200 km between Aswan and the Mediterranean Sea, and consists of two parts, the Nile Valley and the delta. The most dominant feature of the Delta is the sandy mounds of clay and silt that appear as islands rising 1-12 meters above the surrounding area. Every year the level of the Nile began to rise in the summer, e covering the floodplain. The silt that the water carries from the highlands of Ethiopia and deposited along its slow-flowing lower pl course fertilizes the soil. In the Delta formerly marshy areas were slowly covered with soil suitable for agriculture. m But when the level of the Nile failed to rise enough or when it rose too much, it caused hardship. The Aswan High Dam was built Sa across the Nile just south of Aswan, for the purpose of saving some of the Nile flood waters and releasing it during times of low flow. Aswan High Dam releases 55 km³ water per year of which some 46 km³ are diverted into the irrigation canals. In the Nile valley and delta, almost 33,600 square kilometers benefit from se these waters. Discuss: Without the Nile water, Egypt today would be as empty lip as the rest of the Sahara, and its civilization would have had to begin elsewhere. Ec 55 Lesson UNIT Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in TWO ACTIVITIES the Arab World Activity One: Geography and Science Desert animals include many kinds of insects, spiders, reptiles, birds and mammals. They have adapted to the heat as well as scarcity of water. Deer, foxes, wolves and other animals may visit a desert after a e rainfall in search of food. Butterflies and bees emerge from their pupa state to feed on the flowers that bloom. The insects breed pl quickly so that the next generation reaches the pupa stage before the desert dries up. The picture below shows a desert food web. Talk with your partner about the picture. m Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.33: Adaptations to a Desert Biome 56 Lesson UNIT Chapter 2: Geographical Terrains in TWO ACTIVITIES the Arab World Activity Two: Geography and History Read the following information about Qasr Amra. The Umayyad Desert Castles consist of a number of minor castles and fortresses scattered over the desert in eastern Jordan. The castles were built between the seventh century and eighth century. e These castles served practical purposes: namely, as residences, caravanserais, and baths. pl Qasr Amra is the best-known of these castles. It was built by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik. It is considered one of m the most important examples of early Islamic art and architecture. Qasr Amra is registered at the world heritage of UNESCO. Sa se lip Ec Figure 2.34: Qasr Amra Answer the following questions: 1- Who built Qasr Amra? 2- Why were the Umayyad Desert Castles built? 3- Qasr Amra is registered at the world heritage of UNESCO. What is the importance of Qasr Amra to the world heritage? 57  TERMS AND VOCABULARY Arid: Lacking moisture, especially having insufficient rainfall to support trees or woody plants. Basalt Rock: Fine-grained igneous rock that is very dark in color. It occurs on land in extensive lava flows. Berber: A member of various people living in northern Africa west of Tripoli. e pl Biodiversity: Biological diversity in an environment as indicated by the numbers of different species of plants and animals. m Crust: The outer layer of the Earth. Delta: A landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where Sa that river flows into an ocean, sea, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Endemic species: Species of plants and animals which are found exclusively in a particular area. se Ephemeral stream: A stream that only exists for a short period following precipitation or snowmelt. lip Faults: Fractures or fracture zones in the Earth’s crust along which one side moves with respect to the other. Ec Gorge: A defile between mountains. Lithosphere: The rigid outer layer of the Earth, which includes the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. Marshy: Soft and watery. Mound: A pile of earth, gravel, sand, and rocks. Precipitation: a depositing of rain, snow, sleet, etc.  TERMS AND VOCABULARY Queen Zanobia: A third century Arab Queen of Palmyra (Tadmur) Kingdom in Roman Syria. She led a famous revolt against the Roman Empire Ridge: A long, narrow elevation of land or a chain of hills. Silt: A sedimentary material consisting of very fine particles intermediate e in size between sand and clay carried by rivers. pl Slope: The inclined surface that forms a mountainside. Subterranean: Lying or operating under the surface of the Earth. m Watershed: The area of land that drains to a particular point along a stream. Sa Wetland: Land or areas (as marshes or swamps) that are often covered with shallow water. se lip Ec