The Persian Gulf and Interior

1. The Persian Gulf and Interior Preview Section 1:Natural Environments Section 2:History and Culture Section 3:The Region Today Chapter Wrap-Up

2. Section 1: Natural Environments Read to Discover • What landforms and rivers can be found in the Persian Gulf area and the interior of Southwest Asia? • How does the region’s physical geography affect its climates and biomes? • What natural resources does the region have?

3. Section 1: Natural Environments • Arabian Peninsula—Mountains in the west and dry plains stretching to the Persian Gulf in the east • Iraq—Wide plain of Mesopotamia, with two great rivers, Tigris and Euphrates • Iran—Zagros, Elburz, and Kopet-Dag Mountains, along with high plateaus • Afghanistan—Hindu Kush mountain range Landforms and Rivers

4. Section 1: Natural Environments Question What factors influence the climate of Southwest Asia?

5. Factors Influencing Southwest Asia’s Climate Section 1: Natural Environments Elevation High Pressure Orographic Effect Winds • Cooler temperatures in highlands • Resorts in mountains • Skiing in Iran • Westerlies bring winter rains • Cyclonic storms • Southerly winds blow over water, drop rain on Elburz Mountains • Dry climates • Humid near coast • Lack of water • Clear skies • Plants adapted to dry conditions • Humidity at mountain peaks • Rainfall on mountains • Trees in mountain regions

6. Section 1: Natural Environments • Water, a Scarce Resource • Tigris and Euphrates are critical to Iraq. • Farmers in northern Iran depend on rain; others rely on irrigation. • Desert areas may have oases and wells. • Desalinization of seawater is possible for wealthy countries. Natural Resources

7. Section 1: Natural Environments • Oil, Plentiful and Valuable • Persian Gulf reserves are the world’s largest. • Iraq, Oman, and Yemen also have deposits. • Only Iran has substantial metallic ores. • There are few other resources in the region for developing industry. Natural Resources (continued)

8. Section 2: History and Culture Read to Discover • How have peoples, empires, and Islam affected the history of the Persian Gulf area and interior Southwest Asia? • What are the major features of the region’s cultures?

9. Section 2: History and Culture Question How have various peoples and empires affected the history and culture of countries in Southwest Asia?

10. Section 2: History and Culture Various peoples and empires have shaped history. • Sumerians built the first civilization and cities in the Fertile Crescent. • Akkadians created the first real empire in the area, around 2350 B.C. • Persians established a powerful empire around 550 B.C. • Greeks and Romans later controlled the region.

11. Section 2: History and Culture • The rise of Islam had a major impact, beginning in the late A.D. 500s. Muhammad was born in Mecca, and established his Muslim community centered at Medina. • Mongols arrived in the 1200s. • Safavid Persians built a flourishing empire in the 1500s. • Ottoman Turks also ruled the region in the 1500s.

12. Cultures of Southwest Asia Section 2: History and Culture Arabs Persians • Largest ethnic group in entire region • Arabic language dominant • Muslim • Farsi language • Dominant in Iranian society, hold most important positions Kurds Pashtun • Muslim • In Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey • Desire self-rule • Language like Farsi • Largest ethnic group in Afghanistan • Speak Pashtu language • Several small tribes

13. Section 2: History and Culture Cultural Features • Islam is the unifying element. • Arabs are the major group in the region; Arabic is the main language. • Kurds live in borderlands of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. • Cultural diversity is more complex in Iran and Afghanistan. • Most Iranians are Persians; other Farsi-related groups include Baloch, Bakhtiari, and Hazara. Turkic languages are spoken by the Turkmen, Azeri, and Qashqai. • Pashtun are the largest group in Afghanistan.

14. Section 3: The Region Today Read to Discover • On what activities do the region’s economies depend? • What are the region’s cities like? • What are some important issues in the region today?

15. Section 3: The Region Today Question What activities drive the economy of the region?

16. Section 3: The Region Today Oil Production Nomadic Herding Traditional Crafts Agriculture Manufacturing • 8.25 million barrels a day from Saudi Arabia • Economies modernized by oil wealth • Oil-related manufactur-ing • Mostly subsistence • Barley, wheat • Livestock—sheep, goats, cattle • Farms in river valleys • Commercial farming near cities • Import food • Tend herds of camels, goats, and sheep • Make handicrafts • Increased settling in towns due to lack of grazing land • Wool rugs • Use local materials and traditional designs • Building materials • Food products • Oil refining, chemical manufactur-ing • Household supplies

17. Section 3: The Region Today • Largest cities are the national capitals • Ancient cities • Old sections—Buildings one or two stories tall, twisting streets, bazaars, mosques • Newer sections—Modern buildings, wide avenues, traffic, high-rise apartments, fast-food outlets Urban Environments

18. Section 3: The Region Today • Oil wealth—Can influence oil prices and affect economies world-wide, protect tradition, support governments, build military • Power and authority—Democracy versus control by a few • Role of Islam—Maintenance of Islamic traditions and laws Important Issues

19. Chapter Wrap-UpUnderstanding the Main Ideas • In what ways has the plant life of the region adapted to the conditions there? • Why has Mesopotamia been such an attractive target for invasion throughout history? • What is the major language spoken in Iran? In Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia? • What changes are taking place in the traditional rural economy and culture of the region? • What are two important factors accounting for Saudi Arabia’s influence in world affairs today?