Central & Southwest Asia

1. Central & Southwest Asia Ms. Bielefeld Spring 2012

2. The Caucasus Nations • Named after the Caucasus Mnts. • Georgia—produces many crops, coal, oil, & natural gas • Armenia—mountainous & landlocked • Azerbaijan– rich deposits of oil & natural gas; 50% of people live in rural areas

3. Central Nations--Physical • Terrain varies from mountains in the SE to flatter land in the west • Mostly arid or semiarid • In Kazakhstan, steppes create a rich topsoil called chernozem • Parts have large reserves of oil & natural gas

4. Central Nations--Cultural • Mix of people & Russians form a large minority • Most people are Muslim • Most speak Turkic languages, but Tajiks speak a language related to Farsi, the language of Iran Mosque in Kyrgyzstan

5. Central Nations--Economy • Traditionally nomadic herders, who lived in yurts, or portable round tents • Under Soviet control, people forced to settle & work on gov’t farms or in factories • Since independence: • More development & growth of cities • Tourism is improving • Many still live in rural areas & farm

6. Environment • Canals built during Soviet rule diverted water & now the Aral Sea has lost 2/3 of its volume & become saltier • Desertification • Pesticides & fertilizers contaminated water & soil

8. Southwest Asia-- “The Middle East” • Crossroads of Europe, Africa & Asia— is a “hot spot” • Repeatedly conquered, so many ethnic/religious groups live here • Islam conquered the region & most adopted it • Still Christians & Jews

9. SW Asia--Issues • Access to water—setting up desalination plants to remove salt from the ocean water for drinking • Middle East Issue—Palestinians want own gov’t, but Israel wants to control the area • Disagreement between Islamic Sects—Iraq, Lebanon, Syria • Lack of Natural Resources—agricultural lands & forests

11. Jerusalem

12. Mecca, Saudi Arabia

13. Caucasus Mountains, Georgia

14. Ancient ruins in Palmyra, Syria

15. Dubai, UAE