The Persian Gulf

1
The Persian Gulf
2
Natural Environments

• Countries included here are
• Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the
  United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
• This region is also referred to as the Middle
  East.

3
Natural Environments

• Tectonic forces have shaped the physical features
  of this region.
• There is a mixture of rugged mountains, upland
  plateaus, and valleys.
• Plate movement has also created narrow gulfs and
  seas, which are bordered by coastal plains.

4
Natural Environments

• There are also frequent earthquakes in the area.
• To the north and east of the Arabian Peninsula is
  a region called Mesopotamia.
• This is located mostly in Iraq and is a wide
  plain through which two great rivers flow.

5
Natural Environments

• These two rivers are the Tigris and the
  Euphrates.
• They are exotic rivers, or rivers that begin in
  humid regions and then flow across dry areas.

6
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• Hot and dry climates dominate the region.
• Rain comes mostly during the winter due to the
  westerly winds of the middle latitudes.
• The southern interior is mostly uninhabited
  desert called the Rub-al-Khali.

7
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• The regions mountains provide water to the
  valleys below.
• An orographic effect produces these more humid
  climates.
• The regions wettest climate is in Iran in a
  narrow zone along the southern shore of the
  Caspian Sea.

8
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• The lowlands of Saudi Arabia along the Persian
  Gulf are among the hottest places in the world.
• Because of the subtropical high pressure with
  clear skies and little shade, the temperatures
  often climb above 114 degees.

9
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• Little rain here, but since it is close to the
  sea, the humidity is high.
• There are mountain regions near here though that
  people can escape to get away from the heat.

10
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• Shrubs and grasses cover the regions wide dry
  plains.
• Trees are common only in mountain regions and the
  usually dry streambeds.
• The highest plains are grasslands.

11
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• In the driest areas the ground is bare rock and
  sand.
• In some areas the soil is so salty plants cant
  grow.
• Nearly all the regions plants have adapted to
  surviving long periods of time with no water.

12
Climates, Plants, and Animals

• There are few large animals left in the region
  due to hunting from humans and competition from
  other large animals.
• Camels, donkeys, lizards, and poisonous snakes
  are common in the region.

13
Natural Resources

• The regions two most important resources are oil
  and water.
• The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are the main
  sources of water in Iraq.
• Canals lead away from the rivers bringing water
  to the surrounding areas.

14
Natural Resources

• Most farmers depend on rain for agriculture.
• Surface water is rare in the desert areas. Only
  found at an oasis.
• Sea water to fresh water?

15
Natural Resources

• Oil is the regions most valuable resource.
• The oil reserves along the Persian Gulf are the
  largest in the world.
• The region has few other resources though for
  developing industry.