Transcript Euphrates Tigris Shatt-al-Arab

This region contains the greatest concentration of arid regions in the
World (Deserts and Steppes) – Hence “Desert World”, “Arid World”
The Sahara is the world’s largest desert in size.
Egypt’s Nubian Desert begins right at the edges of the Nile.
The Rub Al Khali (Empty Quarter) is considered the most
forbidding desert in the world. Usually the world’s hottest
region. The first non native to cross was the legendary
“Lawrence of Arabia”. Muslims consider this desert to
be the “Garden of Allah”.
The Dasht-e-Kavir (Salt Desert)
resembles USA Great Salt
Lake, with its surface salts.
Causes of Deserts:
• Physical Barriers – Prevent moisture from reaching area
• Prevailing Winds – Moisture not carried by the prevailing wind
• Pressure Cells – High pressure prevents moisture bearing
winds from reaching area.
• Desertification – Man’s abuse of an area.
Egypt – Fayhaum Oasis – Ancient forms of irrigation still used
today.
Libya is drawing up
Long ago deposited
Underground water
“Fossil Groundwater”
And irrigating the Oasis
Of Kufrah.
Fossil Groundwater
Aqueducts have been used since ancient times to
move water from sources to places needed.
Water Storage (reservoirs and cisterns) found in
Many desert locations.
(Herod’s Aqueduct – Qumran Reservoir)
Cradle of
Civilization
Euphrates
Tigris and Euphrates
are SW Asia region’s
major water source form area known as
Mesopotamia Shatt-al-Arab
Tigris
Euphrates
Baghdad
Tigris
Tigris and Euphrates both begin in Turkey. Today
Turkey is working to create a series of dams on
Both rivers – downstream users nervous.
Iraq has drained the marsh
And most of the Marsh
Arabs have left or been
Driven away.
Before the Tigris and
Euphrates reach the
Persian Gulf, they form
A marshland. For
Thousands of years,
Home to the Marsh
Arabs.
1976 Satellite View – Red is water area
2000 Satellite View – Marshes Nearly Gone
The Persian Gulf, under it, around it is
The world’s largest petroleum reserve.
Strait of Hormuz – Strategic passage
In and out of the Persian Gulf.
Dardanelles
Bosporus Strait
Sea of Marmara
Dardanelles Strait
Turkey controls one of the world’s most important group
Of waterbodies – the Dardanelles, the sea of Marmara,
And the Bosporus. Black Sea to Mediterranean Sea access.
Red Sea (actually drowned
Portion of the Great Rift
Valley) – the separation between
Asia and Africa.
Dead Sea – World’s Lowest Location – End Point of
The Jordan River – Part of the Great Rift Valley.
Elburz are SW Asia’s highest mts.,
Mt. Demavend Here Is This Region’s
Highest Location.
The Zagros Mts Form The
Southern Border of Iran and
The Iranian Plateau.
Turkey is the Anatolian Plateau bordered north by the Pontic
Mts., south by the Taurus Mts. Mt. Ararat, rumored site of
Noah’s Ark is here. Turkey is headwaters of Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers.
Pontic Mts.
Taurus Mts
Anatolian Plateau