The Middle EastThe Middle East

Georgia Performance Georgia Performance StandardsStandards

SS7G5a-bSS7G5a-b

Enduring Understanding

LOCATIONStudents will understand that

location affects a society’s economy, culture, and

development.

Bellringer Can you identify the countries on this map?

112

3

4

56

Map of Middle EastMap of Middle East

Georgia Performance StandardsGeorgia Performance Standards

SS7G5 The student will locate selected features in Southwestern Asia (Middle East).b. Locate on a world and regional political-physical map the nations of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.

Land/Climate Map of Asia

Country What can I write to help remember where this is???

Physical Features

Afghanistan

Iran

Iraq

Saudi Arabia

Israel

Turkey

Where in the world is Afghanistan??

AfghanistanAfghanistan

► Capital: KabulCapital: Kabul► LandlockedLandlocked► Neighbors: Iran to the west, Pakistan to the Neighbors: Iran to the west, Pakistan to the

east and south, the former U.S.S.R. to the east and south, the former U.S.S.R. to the northnorth

► Geography-no major rivers, mountains (great Geography-no major rivers, mountains (great place for terrorists to hide)place for terrorists to hide)

Doesn’t look like the Middle East does it??

The opium poppy, one of the most lucrative sources of income for many Afghanis. Opium is used to make the legal drugs like morphine and illegal drugs like heroin.

The small areas of steppes in northern Afghanistan and in southwestern Afghanistan are some of the most productive farming areas, although they are still reliant on season rains and melting snowfall from the mountains.

Do you recognize this picture??

Where in the world is Iran?

IranIran

►Capital: Tehran►Neighbors: Iraq to the west, Afghanistan to the

east►Caspian Sea to the north and Persian Gulf to the

south►Second largest M.E. country►Geography: Mountains, plains, and deserts►Formerly called Persia

Lots of earthquakesLots of earthquakes

The country of Iran “looks down on” Iraq. Iran is much more mountainous and has a large central plateau region.

Example of Persian Architecture

Everybody loves motorcycles

Looks like the world’s biggest sand castle!

Skiing in the Middle East????

Where in the world is Iraq?

IraqIraq

► Capital: BaghdadCapital: Baghdad► Neighbors: Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Neighbors: Turkey to the north, Iran to the east,

Saudi Arabia to the southSaudi Arabia to the south► Geography: A few mountains, swamps (??), deserts, Geography: A few mountains, swamps (??), deserts,

and rivers- Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (irrigation for and rivers- Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (irrigation for farming)farming)

► Lots of OIL!! Persian Gulf VERY important for tradeLots of OIL!! Persian Gulf VERY important for trade

Marshlands in Iraq

Camels are the best way to travel in some areas

Army helicopters-a common sight

to see

Al Mansour Hotel in Baghdad

Many areas are very “western”, that is if they haven’t been blown up

Along the Euphrates River

Where in the world is Saudi Arabia?

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia

►Capital: Riyadh►Largest M.E. country►Neighbors: Iraq, to the north, Red Sea

to the west, Persian Gulf to the east►Almost completely desert►OIL!!!!!

Oil and trade make Saudi Arabia one of the richest countries in the world

Home of the most sacred Muslim cities

Where in the world is Israel?

IsraelIsrael► Capital: JerusalemCapital: Jerusalem► Neighbors: Egypt to the southwest,Neighbors: Egypt to the southwest,

Mediterranean Sea to the westMediterranean Sea to the west► Geography: Less desert than theGeography: Less desert than the

other M.E. countries, milder climateother M.E. countries, milder climate► More farmland, but less oilMore farmland, but less oil

Israel is bordered by Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and the West Bank in the east, and Egypt and the Gaza Strip in the southwest. It covers an area slightly smaller than New Jersey.

Near the Sea of Galilee

Mount Susita

Where in the world is Turkey?

TurkeyTurkey

► Capital: AnkaraCapital: Ankara► Only country found on 2 Only country found on 2

continents-Europe and Asiacontinents-Europe and Asia► Neighbors: Iraq to the southeast, Neighbors: Iraq to the southeast,

Mediterranean Sea to the southwestMediterranean Sea to the southwest► Lots of different geography: mountains, plains, Lots of different geography: mountains, plains,

and coastal regions, very little desertand coastal regions, very little desert► Turkey and Israel are very similar Turkey and Israel are very similar

geographicallygeographically

Architecture combines the Middle East and Europe

Mount Ararat-where Noah’s Ark is believed to be

Cool picture, huh??

Hint for remembering the countries

►In Arabic, you read from right to left►Starting on the right, the 4 hardest

countries to locate are alphabetical (Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia)

►Turkey and Israel are easy to identify

Map of Middle Map of Middle EastEast

Israel is the purple country bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea

Go to my webpage

►http://rhms.bryan.k12.ga.us/?PageName=TeacherPage&Page=10&StaffID=142614&iSection=Teachers&CorrespondingID=142614

►Google Middle East Geography Games :

►http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/geography_middle_east.htm