Chapter 21Harsh and Arid Lands

Section One

Landforms and Resources

Unit Seven - Southwest Asia

Golan Heights

Looking into Israel from the Golan Heights.

Landforms Divide the Region

Southwest Asia forms a land bridge connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Peninsulas and Waterways The most

distinctive landform in Southwest Asia is the Arabian Peninsula, which is surrounded by the Red Sea on the southwest and the Persian Gulf on the east.

Peninsulas and Waterways Also, on the

southwest side of the Arabian Peninsula is a strategic opening to the Mediterranean Sea – the Suez Canal.

Suez Canal

Plains and Highlands

Most of the land on the Arabian Peninsula is barren with some low hills, ridges, and wadis, which are riverbeds that remain dry except during the rainy seasons.

Wadi Zen in Jordan

Plains and Highlands

The heart of Iran is a plateau surrounded by mountains.

Mountains

The Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan are linked with other ranges of mountains that frame southern Asia

Hindu Kush Mnts.

Water Bodies

Because much of Southwest Asia is arid, there are few rivers that flow the entire year. Two of the most important rivers – the Tigris and the Euphrates – supported several ancient river valley civilizations.

Euphrates River

Water Bodies

The Jordan River has no outlet to the sea, but its waters mingle with the salty waters of the Dead Sea, a landlocked salt lake. Jordan River

An Oil-Rich Region

The most abundant resource in Southwest Asia is oil.

Other Resources

In parts of Southwest Asia, water is a scarce resource that must be constantly guarded and carefully used.