central & southwest asia
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Central & Southwest Asia. Ms. Bielefeld Spring 2012. 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Caucasus NationsNamed 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
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
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
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 citiesTourism is improvingMany still live in rural areas & farm
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
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
SW Asia--Issues
1) Access to water—setting up desalination plants to remove salt from the ocean water for drinking
2) Middle East Issue—Palestinians want own gov’t, but Israel wants to control the area
3) Disagreement between Islamic Sects—Iraq, Lebanon, Syria
4) Lack of Natural Resources—agricultural lands & forests