Southwest Asia

(Middle-East) and
North Africa

Syaron Basnet
Topic: SouthWest Asia and North Africa
Week 6_BOPPS

Bridge-In What comes to your mind when you hear SouthWest Asia and North Africa? Lets play guess
for game for famous People, Place, Person, Food in Latin America and what is it infamous for

Learning objective Understand Southwest Asia and North Africa region, its geography, people, political framework,
economy, cultural diversity

Pre-assessment In class activity-two application-based assessment

Pastoral nomadism?
Post assessment
Discussion Board-Poverty in Sub Saharan Region

Summary
Transition zone

The African Transition

Zone creates a
Today, Saudi Arabia
boundary for the One of the most
remains the world’s
realms of North Africa recognizable features
leading oil exporter,
and Southwest Asia of North Africa and
shipping over 7.3
dividing the Islamic Southwest Asia are its
million barrels per day
influence to the north deserts.
as of 2015.
from the Christian
influence to the south.
Infamous Colonization/Dry Climate/

→ Uneven distribution of oil resources and

wealth has led to inequality both within and
between countries.
→ The presence of oil has also left a colonial
legacy across North Africa and Southwest Asia
and has made these countries vulnerable to
foreign control and influence
→ Ethnic tensions or resource issues
→ The civil war in Syria
Southwest → This region currently expands across
three continents: Europe, Asia and

Asia Fact
Africa
→ The Middle East, a term used for parts
of this region
→ Southwest is the birthplace of the
Sumerians, one of the first known
civilizations
→ Three major world monotheistic
religions Judaism, Christianity and
Islam first began in this reason
→ The ancient region known as
Mesopotamia is found in Southwest
Aisa. Mesopotamia is located in
northern part of the fertile crescent, is
considered the cultural hearth where
many civilization began
Fertile Crescent

→ Southwest Asia is often referred to as the Middle East and is a major world
region with varying features across land and water. The region is
predominately a dry, arid climate due to its deserts, contrasted with its
impressive mountain ranges. Southwest Asia is bordered by many seas,
including the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea.
Arguably, the most historically notable water features are the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers. These rivers helped form the rich farmland that enabled
early civilizations to develop, and the area is known as the Fertile Crescent
Identifying Boundaries

→ The realm of North Africa and Southwest Asia is large and expansive in terms of physical
area, but its regions share a number of common qualities.
→ The physical area of this realm is divided into three regions: North Africa, Southwest Asia,
and the countries of Turkestan (the geographic region of Central Asia)
→ The countries in the North African region include the countries bordering the
Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea from Morocco to Sudan.
→ The realm borders the Atlantic Ocean, the Sahara Desert, and the African Transition Zone.
→ Egypt has territory in both Africa and Asia through its possession of the Sinai Peninsula.
The second region, Southwest Asia, includes Turkey, Iran, the Middle East, and
the Arabian Peninsula. The land on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea is
frequently referred to as the Levant (rising) and is often included as a part of the Middle
East.
introduction
→ Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt has been a downtown focal point in the largest metropolitan area.
→ The square was redesigned over a century ago to resemble "Paris on the Nile" with open spaces and
grand boulevards.
→ Tahrir Square became known as a gathering point for protesters during the Arab Spring movement in
2011.
→ It attracted hundreds of thousands of Egyptians, particularly frustrated youth, who sought political
change and economic reform.
→ The square experienced both peaceful demonstrations and violent clashes as the government's hold on
power weakened.
→ On February 11, 2011, President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, marking a significant moment for Egypt.
→ Tahrir Square holds a significant place in Egypt's human geography and will always be associated with
the demand for enduring political change.
→ Tahrir Square is located in the region of Southwest Asia and North Africa, which is characterized by
geographical diversity, including deserts, plateaus, and river valleys, and encompasses over two dozen
nations.
→ The region of Southwest Asia and North Africa has been shaped by diverse languages, religions,
and ethnic identities, leading to profound social and political implications. Cultural tensions and
political differences persist in areas like Israel, while recent instability has been observed in Iraq
and Iran. Arab Spring movements have brought about government overthrows and pressure for
political and economic reforms, but the long-term consequences remain uncertain in several
countries.
→ Southwest Asia and North Africa exemplify globalization, being a key global culture hearth that has
produced and diffused many new cultural ideas. With its historic ties to various regions, including
Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and Central Asia, the region has served as a crossroads for
thousands of years, connecting North Africa with the Mediterranean and Sub-Saharan Africa. The
spread of ideas from the region has extended far beyond its borders.
EnvIRonmEntaL GEoGRaphy:
→ Southwest Asia and North Africa face significant ecological challenges due to the impact of human settlement on a fragile
environment, including deforestation, overgrazing, salinization, and water management issues.
→ The region's unique ecosystems, such as Socotra Island, are under threat from globalization, including unsustainable
practices like illegal harvesting, tourism development, and exploitation of natural resources.
→ Reforestation efforts, forest preservation, and water management projects have been implemented to address
environmental degradation, such as in Lebanon's Shouf Biosphere Reserve and Egypt's Aswan High Dam.
→ The region's reliance on irrigation for agriculture has led to salinization and reduced water quality, with large-scale water
projects like the Great Manmade River in Libya and desalination plants being implemented to mitigate water scarcity.
→ Water resources, both as a vital resource and transportation link, have been a source of tension and conflicts among
countries sharing drainage basins, such as Turkey's development of rivers affecting Iraq and Syria, and disputes over the
Jordan River.
→ The region's diverse landforms include the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula's tilted plateau, the
Iranian and Anatolian plateaus in Southwest Asia, and lowlands like the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq and the Jordan
River Valley.
→ Climate patterns in the region range from arid deserts to Mediterranean climates, with variations influenced by latitude,
altitude, and proximity to water bodies. Extreme temperatures and sea-level rise due to climate change pose additional
challenges to the region's ecosystems and populations.
→ Climate change impacts in Southwest Asia and North Africa include increased evaporation, reduced soil moisture, threats
to agriculture and hydroelectric potential, and the vulnerability of coastal areas like the Nile Delta to sea-level rise,
leading to potential displacement and economic losses.
population and Settlement:
patterns in an arid land
→ The human geography of Southwest Asia and North Africa is closely tied to water and its availability.
→ Large areas of the population map in this region have little permanent settlement, while areas with accessible
water face issues of crowding and overpopulation.
→ The distribution of the population in this region is diverse, with dense populations in North Africa's moist slopes and
coastal areas compared to sparsely populated lands southeast of the mountains.
→ In Southwest Asia, well-watered coastal zones, moist highlands, and desert areas with nearby water sources have
higher population densities.
→ Urbanization is significant in many nations, with large cities like Cairo and Tehran facing urban crowding issues.
→ Water is crucial for rural settlements in Southwest Asia and North Africa, with early agricultural activity focusing on
the Fertile Crescent and the spread of agriculture into lowlands through irrigation.
→ Pastoral nomadism? is practiced in drier areas, with seasonal movements of livestock and transhumance in
highland zones.
→ Permanent oases exist where reliable water sources are available, and traditional oasis settlements contribute to
the global economy through the production of crops like figs and dates.
WORKING TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY: Preserving Land
and Life in Jordan’s Azraq Basin
→ Azraq Basin in Jordan traditionally supports both sedentary farmers and nomadic Bedouin
populations, as well as migratory birds.
→ Urban population growth in nearby cities has increased demands on regional aquifers,
leading to overuse of water resources.
→ Changes in farming practices, including increased commercialization and intensive
irrigation, have contributed to the depletion of water sources.
→ The Azraq Oasis Restoration Project was established to address the crisis by studying the
issue, developing sustainable solutions, and restoring the wetlands' ecological integrity.
→ The project emphasizes a participatory approach and collaboration with local
stakeholders to promote water conservation, efficient irrigation systems, and urban water
consumption and recycling. The long-term success depends on population growth control
and the blending of tradition and innovation to redefine water as a sustainable resource.
Cultural CohErEnCE and divErSity:
SiGnaturES of ComplExity
→ Southwest Asia and North Africa are culturally diverse regions, despite being the heart of the Islamic and Arab worlds.
→ Muslims in the region practice their religion in various ways and often hold different religious views.
→ Arabic languages are predominant, but non-Arab groups like Persians, Kurds, and Turks also have a significant
presence in the region.
→ The region's cultural geography influences political tensions and contributes to resistance against globalization.
→ Judaism and Christianity have their roots in the eastern Mediterranean and continue to have a presence in the region.
→ Islam originated in Southwest Asia and remains the dominant religion in the region.
→ The Sunni-Shiite divide is a significant religious division within Islam, leading to cultural differences and occasional
conflicts.
→ The region's linguistic diversity includes Afro-Asiatic languages (Arabic and Berber), Indo-European languages (Persian
and Kurdish), and Turkish languages.
GEopolitiCal framEWork:
nEvEr-EndinG tEnSionS
→ Geopolitical tensions in Southwest Asia and North Africa are high, with recent uprisings and conflicts in several countries.
→ The Arab Spring rebellions resulted in the fall of governments in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.
→ Protests were fueled by government corruption, limited democracy, rising food prices, and widespread poverty and
unemployment.
→ Traditional tribal rivalries, ethnic identities, and religious factionalism further complicate the situation in the region.
→ European colonialism played a significant role in shaping the modern political geography of the region.
→ France and Great Britain were major colonial powers in North Africa and the Levant.
→ The future of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and Iraq's emergence as an independent state are ongoing
issues.
→ Geopolitical instability continues in North Africa, with political changes in Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria.
→ The Arab-Israeli conflict remains a major source of tension in the region, with disputes over borders and settlements.
→ Syria and Iraq face internal conflicts, with civil war in Syria and challenges due to their diverse cultural and ethnic makeup.
→ The Kurds in Iraq seek independence, while tensions persist between Shiite and Sunni populations in Iraq.
EConomiC and SoCial dEvElopm
landS of WEalth and povErty
→ Southwest Asia and North Africa exhibit both incredible wealth and discouraging poverty.
→ The region's prosperity is primarily attributed to rich reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
→ Political instability in the region contributes to its struggling economy, as seen during the Arab Spring rebellions and economic
sanctions in Iran and Syria.
→ Countries in the region are focusing on diversifying their economies by increasing agricultural output, investing in new
industries, and promoting tourism.
→ The distribution of fossil fuel reserves in the region is uneven, with North African settings and the Persian Gulf region having
large reserves while other countries lack major fossil fuel resources.
→ Oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates have experienced significant
economic growth, but fluctuations in oil prices and population growth pose challenges.
→ Some countries with oil reserves, like Algeria and Iraq, face economic challenges due to political instability, deteriorated
infrastructure, and depletion of reserves.
→ Poorer countries in the region, such as Sudan, Egypt, and Yemen, struggle with poverty, political problems, low education levels,
and uncertain economic prospects.
In class Activity :
1. Describe the role played by the French and British in shaping
the modern political map of Southwest Asia and North Africa.
Provide specific examples of their lasting legacy.
2. Discuss the root causes behind the Arab Spring rebellions and
offer three examples of how the movement has played out
politically in different ways within the region.
3. Explain how ethnic differences have shaped Iraq’s political
conflicts in the past 50 years.