Chapter 18 World Geography
Crude oil
-Millions of years of extreme heat and pressure eventually transformed remains organisms into ... -this fossil fuel is one of the world's most sought-after resources
Red sea
-aquatic biome -10% of the species found here cannot be found in any other marine environment -corals can endure extreme heat and salinity making this sea unique.
Rub' al-khali
-hot and dry -little rainfall -no surface water -few forms of animal or plants life -desert
Simooms
-last about 20 minutes -destroy plant and animal life -means "poison" in arabic
Shamals
-occur in mid winter and early summer -occurs in areas near the Persian Gulf -means north. -winds blow from the north or Northwest. -carry millions of tons of sand and sik to the rub' al khali
Arabian desert
...... lie over a vast deposit of crude oil. -this deposit is estimated to be at least 25% of the worlds proven reserves.
Sunni
A branch of Islam that regards the first four successors of Muhammad as his rightful successors
Ibadhism
A conservative form of Islam distinct from sunni and shia sects.
Simooms
A hot dry suffocating wind that blows from time to time in the Arabian Peninsula
Dune
A mound or ridge of sand formed by the wind
Shamal
A northwesterly wind in the Persian Gulf area
Peninsula
A portion of land nearly surrounded by water
Choke point
A strategic narrow waterway between two larger bodies of water
An extremely dry climate
Arabian peninsula is a desert with...
-fish, pearls and salt and gypsum produced from saline Flats Mineral resources include: iron ore, gold, copper, Limestone, and some marble
Arabian peninsula significant resources
Arid
Excessively dry
Geopolitics
Government policy as it is influenced by physical, human, and economic geography
...
How did history culture and geography help influence the types of governments on the Arabian peninsula?
About 20 to 30 million years ago Africa and Arabia formed a single tectonic plate. over time tectonic forces created a rift valley which separated the two plates and two land masses. the valley filled with water
How did tectonic activity form the Red Sea?
They are necessary to the economies of the region. Red Sea: western side of the Arabian Peninsula. northernmost tropical sea in the world. Vital shipping route. Persian Gulf: east. Serves international shipping needs of all oil-producing countries of the peninsula.
How did the water surrounding the Arabian Peninsula affect life there?
The majority of immigrants are Muslims. Islamic law governs every aspect of a muslims life. these laws also shape criminal and civil laws
How does Islam affect life on the Arabian peninsula?
They made large investments in infrastructure and education
How has Saudi Arabia used its oil wealth to improve life in the country?
More pollution equals more human impacts. Rising populations impact water sources.
How has a growing population created a set of related environmental challenges in the sub-region?
The harsh climate has caused most of the population to settle along the coast. oil fields and construction jobs attractive guest workers from South Asia. Today most bedouins have settled in towns and cities High wages pull guest workers
How has climate and history help determine the population patterns of the Arabian peninsula?
The average temperature has increased over the past three decades equalling climate change effects
How has the extraction of petroleum resources impacted the environment of the Arabian peninsula?
Nomad tribes dominated the region and each tribal leader had ultimate Authority
How has the role of nomadic tribes affected the way that most people are governed in the Arabian peninsula?
They responded with desalination. Countries are promoting a variety of changes in agricultural practices. Greenhouse agriculture is being promoted. The development of salt-tolerant place it's. Investment in land overseas.
How have people in the government on the Arabian Peninsula addressed environmental challenges they face?
Oil polluting, chemical gas release harms the environment by contaminating groundwater, soil, and water. Climate change. Some countries are experiencing a decrease in rain. Some are experiencing excess rain= damage in topsoil. Tornado winds and sandstorms became prevelant in Kuwait.
How have the advantages of the Arabian peninsula's resources created a problem for its environment?
Hajj
In Islam the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims must make at least once in a lifetime
Shari'ah
Islamic law derived from the Quran and the teachings of Muhammad
Constitutional Monarchies
Kuwait and Bahrain are......
Monarchies
Majority of governments on the Arabian peninsula are....
Sheikdoms
Territory ruled by an Arab tribal leader
Shia
The branch of Islam that regards Muhammad son-in-law Ali and their imams as his rightful successor
Simooms
The heat of the deserts in the summer sometimes generate ________
Dew and fog
These 2 things add to humidity
Disadvantage: methods for desalination require a lot of energy. Disposal of brine. It counts for 25-30% of Saudi Arabia's energy. Advantages: removes salth and minerals from undrinkable groudd water to provide more water to drink and irrigation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of desalination as a solution for water scarcity in the sub region?
It's dominated by arid or very dry land. its 1.2 million square miles and mostly unsuitable for human settlement. Silt and dust is left by winds and sediment .
What are the major physical characteristics of the Arabian peninsula?
Oil has produced wealth for some countries here. Saudi Arabia has made large investments in infrastructure and education. Bahrain successfully Diversified its economy. Oman and the UAE invested in their oil Revenue helping to soften the effect of fluctuations in oil prices.
What impact does the oil industry have on life on the Arabian peninsula?
Rising populations impact water sources. populations increase= an increase in sheep and herd= toll vegetation that damages topsoil
Which challenges to the environment related to population?
The harsh climate of the Arabian Peninsula has had a strong influence on human settlement
Why does most of the population live along the coast?
Monsoon
a seasonal wind that brings warm moist air from the oceans in summer and cooler dry air inland in winter
Desalination
the removal of salt from seawater or from brackish groundwater to make it useful for drinking and irrigation