The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan

1
The Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, and
Afghanistan
CHAPTER 20

• Section 1 Physical Geography
• Section 2 The Arabian Peninsula
• Section 3 Iraq
• Section 4 Iran and Afghanistan

2
Objectives
Section 1 Physical Geography

• What are the major physical features of the
  region?
• What climates are found in this region?
• What are the regions important resources?

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Major physical features of the Arabian Peninsula,
Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Section 1 Physical Geography

• The Arabian Peninsulabordered by the Red Sea,
  Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and the Persian Gulf
• The plain of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
  (Mesopotamia) lies between the exotic rivers.
• Region of mountains and plateausElburz
  Mountains, Kopet-Dag range, Hindu Kush, and the
  Zagros Mountains

4
Climates of the Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran,
and Afghanistan
Section 1 Physical Geography

• Most of the region has a desert climate.
• There are parts of the region with steppe
  climates.

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Important resources of the Arabian Peninsula,
Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan
Section 1 Physical Geography

• Water resources include wadis and fossil water.
• Oil is the key mineral resource.
• Iran has other metal deposits.

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Objectives
Section 2The Arabian Peninsula

• What are Saudi Arabias history, government, and
  people like?
• What kinds of government and economy do the other
  countries of the Arabian Peninsula have?

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Saudi Arabia
Section 2The Arabian Peninsula

• Historycreated in 1932 by the Saud family
  closely linked to Islam
• Governmenta monarchy still ruled by the Saud
  family most officials are members of the family
  Islamic scholars influence policy
• Peopleethnic Arabs 85 percent Sunni Islam is
  reflected in dress, treatment of women, and daily
  prayer schedules

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Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula
Section 2The Arabian Peninsula

• Other countries of the Arabian Peninsula are
  predominantly Islamic and have varying wealth
  from oil reserves. All but Yemen are monarchies.

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(continued)Other countries of the Arabian
Peninsula
Section 2The Arabian Peninsula

• Kuwaitinvaded by Iraq in 1990 Gulf War rich in
  oil
• Bahrain and QatarBahrain is a historic trade
  center Qatar becoming more democratic
• The United Arab Emiratesled by emirs foreign
  workers outnumber citizens
• Omanattempting to create new industries besides
  oil
• Yemenelected government suffers from corruption
  poorest in the region

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Objectives
Section 3 Iraq

• What were the key events in Iraqs history?
• What are Iraqs government and economy like?
• What is the makeup of Iraqs population?

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Key events in Iraqs history include
Section 3 Iraq

• A.D. 600Arabs conquer Mesopotamia, Islam
  spreads, Baghdad thrives (until 1258).
• 1500sMesopotamia becomes part of the Ottoman
  Empire.
• British take over during World War I overthrown
  in the 1950s by the Iraqi army.

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(continued)Key events in Iraqs history include
Section 3 Iraq

• Baath Party takes over in 1968 and Saddam
  Hussein becomes president in late 1970s.
• 1980Iraq invades Iran Iran-Iraq War is fought
  from 1980 to 1988.
• 1990Iraq invades Kuwait, triggering Persian Gulf
  War.

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Iraqs government
Section 3 Iraq

• is controlled by the Baath Party and Saddam
  Hussein.
• has built a large army and secret police force.
• Iraqs economy
• is limited by trade embargoes since the two wars.
• also has mining, construction, and manufacturing
  industries.

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Iraqs population is
Section 3 Iraq

• 75 percent Arab
• nearly all Muslim
• 15-20 percent Kurds

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Objectives
Section 4Iran and Afghanistan

• What were some important events in Irans
  history?
• What are Irans government and people like?
• What problems does Afghanistan face today?

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Important events in Irans history include
Section 4Iran and Afghanistan

• 500s B.C.The Persian Empire was centered in the
  region.
• 300s B.C.Alexander the Great conquered the
  Persian Empire.
• A.D. 600sArabs invade and establish Islam.
• 1921The Shah takes over and encourages reform
  his son succeeds him in 1941.

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Important events in Irans history include
(continued)
Section 4Iran and Afghanistan

• 1979The Shah is overthrown and Iranian Republic
  is formed American hostages are taken with
  approval from the government.
• 19801988Iran-Iraq War is fought.

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The People and Government of Iran
Section 4Iran and Afghanistan

• Iran is a theocracyit is ruled by religious
  leaders.
• The government has supported terrorism and the
  destruction of Israel.
• Possible democratic reforms have been developing
  since the late 1990s.
• The population is diverse, with ethnic Persians
  in the majority.
• The Shia branch of Islam is the official religion.

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Problems in Afghanistan
Section 4Iran and Afghanistan

• Links to terrorism of September 11, 2001, placed
  Afghanistan at the center of the war on terror,
  led by the United States.
• Afghanistan has an interim government after the
  ousting of the Taliban.
• Years of war have hurt Afghanistans people,
  industry, trade, and transportation systems.