This document provides information about the physical geography and environment of the region of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia. It notes that this region has large oil and natural gas reserves, making it a key global supplier of fossil fuels. However, it also faces environmental challenges like scarce water resources, desertification, pollution from oil refining, and damage from irrigation practices. The arid climate and lack of water greatly impact how people live in the region.

1. Chapter 16

2.  If you rode in a car or a bus to school today,
that vehicle’s fuel probably came from the
region of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and
Central Asia. This region is the world’s
leading producer of petroleum and natural
gas—two of the main energy resources that
power modern society.

3.  How have natural resources made this region
a key player in world affairs?

4.  This region
includes a variety of
landforms that
affect how and
where people live.
When you hear about floods,
do you picture terrible
damage and loss of life?

5.  Multiple seas of aided trade for the region.
 Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea,
Red Sea, & Persian Gulf
 Suez Canal

6.  Atlas Mountains in Morocco
 Sahara Desert across rest of northern Africa
 Southwest Asia known for earthquakes
 Coastal plains support agriculture

7.  Due to dry conditions, most people settle in
river valleys.
 Nile, Tigris, & Euphrates Rivers
 Silt: small particles of rich soil
 Alluvial Plain: area of fertile soil left by river
floods.

8.  What two bodies of water does the Suez Canal
connect?

9.  The land in this
region is rich in
energy resources.
Have you ever depended on
someone for something you
really needed?

10.  Largest reserves of oil & natural gas around
Persian Gulf.
 Sedimentary Rock: created when layers of
material are hardened by the intense weight
of materials piled above.
 Countries in region very wealthy from oil.
 Has led to conflicts.

11.  Coal & iron can be found here.
 Phosphates: mineral salts used to make
fertilizer.
 only Lebanon has a lumber industry
 Fish an important resource for coastal areas

12.  Water is a scarce resource
 Poaching: illegal fishing or hunting
 Irrigation has led to Aral Sea drying up.

13.  Irrigation water often
evaporates; salt deposits then
leave land unable to be farmed
 Nile dams create electricity but
blocks the flow needed silt.
 Farmers now use chemicals
leading to runoff problems.
 Pollution from refineries:
facilities that turn petroleum
into gasoline & other
products.

14.  What are some of the threats to the region’s
water supplies?

15.  Large areas of
desert greatly affect
life in the region.
What would it be like to live
through a long period without
rain?

16.  World’s largest desert
 Only 3 inches of rain a year.
 Wadis: dry riverbeds
 Ergs: large areas of soft sands
 Oases: areas where the land is fertile as a
result of water from spring or well.

17.  Arabian peninsula covered
with desert
 Steppes border desert areas:
dry, treeless, but grassy
plains.
 Nomads: people that move
across steppe areas to find
food & water for their herds.
 Dry Farming: method in
which land is left unplanted
every few years so that it can
store moisture.

18.  Coastal areas have Mediterranean climates
 Supports agriculture and more people
 Highland climates in southwestern Asia
support herd animals.

19.  How do the region’s desert and steppe areas
differ?

20.  The lack of water is
a growing problem
in this region.
How much water do you use
each day?

21.  Rainfall is sparse
 Much water used for irrigation
 Aquifers: underground rock layers through
which water flows.

22.  countries compete for
scarce water
 Rationing: a resource is
made available to people
in only limited amounts.
 Desalinization: process
that treats seawater to
remove salts and minerals
and make it drinkable.
 costly process—poor
countries can’t do it

23.  Why is desalinization not an option for many
countries in the region?