Southwest Asia

Euphrates River

A river of Southwest Asia, which supported several ancient civilizations and flows though parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and empties into the Persian Gulf

Desalinization

The removal of salt from ocean water

Oasis

a fertile place in a desert where there is water and vegetation

Salt Flat

a flat expanse of salt left by the evaporation of a body of salt water

Golan Heights

a hilly plateau overlooking the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee; a strategic location that has been the site of conflict in Southwest Asia for decades

Dead Sea

a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan that is so salty that almost nothing can live in its waters; it is 1,349 feet below sea level, making it the lowest place on the exposed crust of the earth

Refinery

a place where crude oil is converted into useful products

Jordan River

a river in southwestern Asia that flows from the Lebanon Mountains, south through the Sea of Galilee, into the Dead Sea

Wadi

a riverbed that remains dry except during the rainy seasons.

Rub al-Khali

large, sandy desert also named the Empty Quarter. it is located in the southeastern part of Saudi Arabia, but north of Oman

Tigris River

one of the most important rivers of Southwest Asia; it supported several ancient river valley civilizations and flows through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq

Crude Oil

petroleum that has not been processed

Drip Irrigation

the practice of using small pipes that slowly drip water just above ground to conserve water to use for crops

Fossil Water

water pumped from underground aquifers