Southwest Asia (Middle East)

Physical Geography Notes

Standard SS7G5: The student will locate selected features in Southwestern Asia (Middle East).
Element a.: Locate on a world and regional political-physical map: Euphrates River, Jordan River, Tigris
River, Suez Canal, Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and Gaza Strip.


Location:
Describe the location of each of the following physical features.
Connection to the GPS:
Why is _______________ important to Southwest Asia (Middle East)?

Euphrates River Begins in Turkey, flows through Syria and
Iraq, before emptying into the Persian Gulf.
Why is the Euphrates River important to Southwest Asia
(ME)?
Because much of the area is a desert and people need water.
Turkey, Syria, and Iraq all use this river for water.
Jordan River Begins at the end of the Sea of Galilee and flows
south until it reaches the Dead Sea.
Why is the Jordan River important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Brings drinking water to Israel, Jordan, parts of Syria, the West
Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Tigris River Begins in Turkey, flows south through Iraq, before
joining with the Euphrates and emptying into the Persian Gulf.
Why is the Tigris River important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Because much of the area is a desert and people need water.
Turkey and Iraq use this river for water.
Suez Canal East of Egypt, between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Why is the Suez Canal important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, allowing
countries to easily ship oil to Europe.
Persian Gulf Located in between Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait,
and Iran.
Why is the Persian Gulf important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Important for shipping oil out of the ME to the rest of the world.
Strait of Hormuz At the southern end of the Persian Gulf.
Connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important to Southwest Asia
(ME)?
Shipping oil (connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea).
Arabian Sea East of Saudi Arabia and south of Iran. Why is the Arabian Sea important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Shipping oil
Red Sea Bordered by Saudi Arabia to the east and Egypt on the
west.
Why is the Red Sea important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
Shipping oil, through the Suez Canal to Europe.
Gaza Strip Along the southern coast of Israel. Why is the Gaza Strip important to Southwest Asia (ME)?
There have been numerous battles/wars fought in the Southwest
Asia (Middle East) over control of the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank.

Name: _________________________
Date: __________ Period: __________