South West Asia

Mountain RangeArmenian Pt. or Knot

Mountain RangePonticus Mt.

Mountain Range

Taurus Mt.

Mountain Range

Anatolian Pt.

Mountain Range

Taurus Mt.

Ponticus Mt.

Anatolian Pt.

Mountain Range

Elburz Mt.

Mountain Range

Zagros Mt.

Mountain Range

Iranian Pt.

Mountain Range

Zagros Mt.

Elburz Mt.

Iranian Pt.

Mountain RangeArmenian Pt. or Knot

Zagros Mt.

Elburz Mt.

Taurus Mt.

Ponticus Mt.

Anatolian Pt.

Iranian Pt.

Rivers (Drainage )

Rivers are not common in a large part of SW Asia because of the arid climatic conditions, and the Arabian Peninsula has no permanent streams anywhere.

The Tigris and Euphrates - rivers flow through Mesopotamia, and the lowland area in Iraq that some consider to be the birthplace of civilization.

The two rivers begin in the mountains of Turkey and flow roughly parallel to each other toward the southeast. The Euphrates cuts through Syria, both rivers flow through Iraq, and they eventually empty into the Persian Gulf. The Tigris is actually a tributary of the Euphrates, Baghdad, the capital and largest city of Iraq, is located on the banks of the Tigris River.

The land of Tigris and Euphrates has always been fertile and productive and with the economic property this region is known as 'Fertile Crescent'.

The Jordan River - is one of the world's best-known rivers because of its location in the Holy Land and significance for Christianity. Essentially, the river flows from the Sea of Galilee southward into the Dead Sea.

Climate

Although ringed by the waters of many seas and gulfs, SW Asia is generally hot and dry.

Percipitation: Very little of the moisture from the surrounding water bodies is carried onto the parched lands. Subtropical high pressure dominates the region throughout the year, to keep atmosphere stable.

The high pressure ridge is broken only slightly during the winter months, allowing some cyclonic storms to enter off the Mediterranean Sea. These storms are confined to the northern coastal and mountain areas, where the moisture usually comes as snow.

Mediterranean

Grassland

Desert

Agriculture

After oil, agriculture is the major economic activity of SW Asia. It is a major industry in nearly every country, even though much of the land is not fertile and rainfall is scarce. About one-third of the people in the region are engaged in agriculture, but the percentages vary

Fruits and Vegetables - along the eastern Mediterranean –Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan—fruits and vegetables are the main agricultural products. Citrus fruits provide a major income for Israel, but melons, tomatoes, bananas, grapes, and olives are also grown.

Agriculture in Israel has increased because of extensive irrigation projects. The water comes primarily from the Sea of Galilee.

Besides the fruits and vegetables, tobacco, cotton, also are grown in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Agriculture

Agriculture in Iraq, Iran, is dominated more by wheat, barley, cotton, and millet than by fruits and vegetables.

Although Iran does have a wine industry near the Caspian Sea.

Hides and Wool

Saudi Arabia exports hides and wool from the numerous camels, donkeys, horses, and sheep raised by the nomadic herders in that country.

Tobacco

Turkey is a leading tobacco exporter.

Mineral Resources and Industry

Minerals other than petroleum generally are not found in great abundance in the region but some minerals are important to individual countries.

Cyprus - mine copper, chrome and gypsum.

Jordan – mine potash and phosphates

Turkey - 1st in the production of chrome,

has good deposits of zinc, iron ore, coal, manganese.

Israel - has a few important minerals, limestone and sandstone usually lead in such building material production.

Iran - precious stones Turquoise and emerald mining

Petroleum Resources

In SW Asia, the chief producers of mineral oil are—Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Algeria, Egypt, etc.

In fact, 60% of the world oil reserves are concentrated in the region.

Saudi Arabia Oil Field

Saudi Arabia Oil field

Qatif

Dhahran

Abquaiq

Ghawar

Iran Oil Field

Naft Safid

Haft Kel

Aghajari

Iran Oil FieldHaft Kel

KirkukKhanqin

Ramaila

Basrah

Naftkhanesh

Petroleum Resources

Chief producers of mineral oil are - Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Algeria, Egypt . 60% of the world oil reserves are concentrated in the region.

Saudi Arabia - It accounts for 20% of the total world production of mineral oil.

The important oil fields of Saudi Arabia are Dhahran, Abquaiq, Ghawar, Qatif.

The oil refineries are situated at Rastanura and Dammam. Pipelines to Saida

Iran - It is the 2nd biggest producer of mineral oil in SW Asia, with more than 10% of the world output of oil. Naft safid, Haht-kel, Aghajari are the important oil fields.

Iraq - It is the third biggest producer of mineral oil in SW Asia after Saudi Arabia and Iran.About 5% of the world oil production comes from Iraq oil fields namely Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Naftkhanesh, Ramaila, Basrah .

Other Producers of Oil

Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Dubai are other notable producers of oil in SW Asia.

Kuwait is a very small country, situated at the head of the Persian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. an important producer of mineral oil.

Based on the lack of minerals, industry is not advanced in the region.

Most of the countries have the basic processing plants for foodstuffs, textiles, and cement, and the oil-rich countries all have refining facilities. But heavy industry, particularly steel production, is not common.

Turkey is the industrial leader of the region and has the most varied production, and Turkey does produce steel.

Other countries of the region, such as Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Qatar, do have some individual steel mills but large industrial complexes headed by steel production simply do not exist in SW Asia.

Individual countries of the region are noted for the production of specialty items.

Diamond cutting and polishing, for example, are important in Israel, although the country produces no diamonds.

The famous Persian carpets are made in Iran, glassware and brassware are produced in Syria, and fine silk comes from Turkey.

Tourism has been a major industry in SVV Asia, but the flow of tourists in often interrupted by local battles, terrorism, and war.

The religious shrines draw many people to the Christian and Jewish Holy Land in Israel, and the wonderful climate and secluded beaches attract visitors to the Mediterranean Island of Cyprus.

Saudi Arabia does not allow tourists into the country, but religious pilgrims do produce a type of tourism income for the Saudi.

Industry

Based on the lack of minerals, industry is not advanced in the region.

Most of the countries have the basic processing plants for foodstuffs, textiles, and cement, and the oil-rich countries all have refining facilities. But heavy industry, particularly steel production, is not common.

Turkey is the industrial leader of the region and has the most varied production, and Turkeys produce steel. Other countries of the region, such as Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and even Qatar, do have some individual steel mills

Diamond cutting and polishing, for example, are important, but does not produce diamonds.

Tourism has been a major industry in SW Asia, but the flow of tourists in often interrupted by local battles, terrorism, and war.

Transportation and Communications

Transportation and Communications

For an area known as the "crossroads of the world." SW Asia does not have a well-developed transportation network.

Turkey is the only country in the region with a railroad system approaching what could be called a network.

Railroads also run parallel to the eastern Mediterranean, with local networks around Beirut, Haifa, and Tel Aviv.

Airplane travel is common in SW Asia, and most countries boast a modern air force, commercial airlines, and one or two international airports.