Each student will compare and contrast the physical geography of a pair of assigned nations. This writing assignment is designed to provide students with a more in-depth understanding of prominent physical geography features in two different assigned nations.  Additionally, the assignment will provide a more thorough understanding of human/nature interaction, along with environmental issues, within these nations. Format:  Papers are to be  double-spaced, 12-font with 1-inch margins. No cover page is required. Have your name written at the top of the first page, with a title and page numbers . Your paper needs to be organized in paragraph form, including an intro and a conclusion.  The intro paragraph needs to have a specific thesis statement  that gives an overview of your analysis of the material in its entirety (This is best written AFTER doing all the research and writing for the paper). Any photographs, maps, tables, etc., need to be attached at the end of the paper only, and they  do not  count as part of the length of the paper. If you want to attach a cover page, it will also not count towards the paper length. The amount of writing on each of your two countries should be roughly equal in length. Sources, Bibliography: You must have  at least 5 academic/scholarly sources  total and  list them in a bibliography  at the end of each paper .  Use  MLA or Chicago Manual of Style  which you can Google to find websites with examples of this format. All sources MUST be  cited in the body of your paper (see “In-Text Citations” below) AND listed in a bibliography , otherwise you will receive a score of ZERO for the paper and potentially an F for the entire course! Copying and pasting over 20% of your paper from another source, without providing citations, is an automatic F. The 4 parts of the course paper: Part 1: Lithosphere - For each country, what is one major geologic feature (can include mountains, desert, plains, coast, etc)? - Briefly describe these features, how they came to look like how they do today. - How are humans using these features (tourism, nature reserve, sacred lands, extracting resources, etc)? - Does human use of these features create concern for the future of these features, or the wildlife found on them? If so, explain how. - Print pictures of the geologic features, or maps showing where these features are located, and attach them to the back of the paper. Part 2: Atmosphere - For each country, describe the year-round climate found in the majority of the country (climate maps will help with this). If there is a wide variety of climate types in one country, just pick one city and describe its climate. Be sure to include information about temperature, precipitation, and seasonal changes in both, such as the extremes of the temperature and precipitation differences. - Has climate change already impacted these nations (whether the people or the natural environment)? How so? - What is one major concer.

1. Each student will compare and contrast the physical geography
of a pair of assigned nations. This writing assignment is
designed to provide students with a more in-depth
understanding of prominent physical geography features in two
different assigned nations. Additionally, the assignment will
provide a more thorough understanding of human/nature
interaction, along with environmental issues, within these
nations.
Format:
Papers are to be
double-spaced, 12-font with 1-inch margins. No cover page is
required. Have your name written at the top of the first page,
with a title and page numbers
.
Your paper needs to be organized in paragraph form, including
an intro and a conclusion. The intro paragraph needs to have a
specific
thesis statement
that gives an overview of your analysis of the material in its
entirety (This is best written AFTER doing all the research and
writing for the paper).
Any photographs, maps, tables, etc., need to be attached at the
end of the paper only, and they
do not
count as part of the length of the paper. If you want to attach a
cover page, it will also not count towards the paper length.

2. The amount of writing on each of your two countries should be
roughly equal in length.
Sources, Bibliography:
You must have
at least 5 academic/scholarly sources
total and
list them in a bibliography
at the end of each paper
. Use
MLA or Chicago Manual of Style
which you can Google to find websites with examples of this
format.
All sources MUST be
cited in the body of your paper (see “In-Text Citations” below)
AND listed in a bibliography
, otherwise you will receive a score of ZERO for the paper and
potentially an F for the entire course!
Copying and pasting over 20% of your paper from another
source, without providing citations, is an automatic F.
The 4 parts of the course paper:
Part 1: Lithosphere
- For each country, what is one major geologic feature (can
include mountains, desert, plains, coast, etc)?
- Briefly describe these features, how they came to look like
how they do today.
- How are humans using these features (tourism, nature reserve,
sacred lands, extracting resources, etc)?

3. - Does human use of these features create concern for the future
of these features, or the wildlife found on them? If so, explain
how.
- Print pictures of the geologic features, or maps showing where
these features are located, and attach them to the back of the
paper.
Part 2: Atmosphere
- For each country, describe the year-round climate found in the
majority of the country (climate maps will help with this). If
there is a wide variety of climate types in one country, just pick
one city and describe its climate. Be sure to include information
about temperature, precipitation, and seasonal changes in both,
such as the extremes of the temperature and precipitation
differences.
- Has climate change already impacted these nations (whether
the people or the natural environment)? How so?
- What is one major concern for each country in the future
related to climate change? What is being done about it?
Part 3: Hydrosphere
- What is one major body of water found within, or adjacent to,
each of your assigned nations? Describe them, and give a brief
description of where they are found.
- How are humans using these features (fishing, tourism,

4. wildlife etc)?
- Does human use of these features create concern for the future
of these features or the living organisms found within them? If
so, explain how.
Part 4: Biosphere / Environmental Sustainability Challenges:
-What are 2 environmental sustainability issues (deforestation,
urbanization, poaching, etc.) in
each
of your nations, aside from climate change itself? This can also
involve environmental problems humans face, such as pollution
or water scarcity.
- Why do these problems exist?
- Sustainable development involves balancing the environment,
the economy, and society to achieve the best long-term benefits
for all. What type of sustainable development programs/efforts
exist to improve your nations’ environmental problems? Your
answer can include actions being taken by either your assigned
nations or other nations providing assistance.
Countries:
United Arab Emirates, Israel