Southwest Asia
Major Countries of Southwest Asia
Southwest Asia extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Hindu Kush mountain range. This region also includes the Arabian Peninsula. The term Arab refers to a cultural group that speaks Arabic. Many of the countries located in Southwest Asia are Arab. In this interactivity, you will explore the major countries of Southwest Asia. Click the player to begin.
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Cultural Influences of Southwest Asia
Throughout history, Southwest Asia has been the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Contact with many different cultures has led to the development of a unique cultural region. In this interactivity, you will explore the cultural influences of Southwest Asia by following different social media conversations. Click the player to begin.
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Walled Cities
City walls of Old Jerusalem
Cities are centers for security and defense. In the past, people could fortify themselves inside the walls of a city for protection. This was especially important in ancient times. The remains of walled cities are found throughout Southwest Asia.
City walls of Istanbul (Constantinople)
Constantinople, which is now Istanbul, was famous for its defensive walls. Two rows of walls surrounded the city and protected it from land and sea attacks. The walls were incredibly effective and prevented the city from being conquered for more than 1,000 years. Parts of the wall still remain standing today.
The Old City of Jerusalem is surrounded by defensive walls. The Old City is located inside modern-day Jerusalem. It is the oldest part of the city. The current walls were rebuilt in the sixteenth century, when the Ottoman Empire controlled Jerusalem. The city walls of Old Jerusalem are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Economic Characteristics of Southwest Asia
Oil refinery
Most countries in Southwest Asia rely on primary economic activities like oil drilling, agriculture, and pastoralism. Oil is by far the most important industry in the region. Many of the world’s largest oil producing countries are located in this region. Some of these nations are members of the economic alliance OPEC. OPEC stands for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Members are able to collectively influence the price of oil. As of 2019, there are five members located in Southwest Asia: Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The reliance on oil revenue has positive and negative effects. Oil is a valuable natural resource with the potential to make a country extremely wealthy. This wealth can be used to support economic development and build infrastructure. However, oil is not a renewable resource. It cannot be easily replaced once consumed. The price of oil also changes over time. Drops in the price of oil can badly hurt the economy if a country relies on oil exports alone. Additionally, the wealth generated from oil is not evenly distributed. This creates a massive divide between the rich and the poor.
Date palm tree plantation
Water is the most precious resource in Southwest Asia. Because most of the region is arid, access to freshwater is limited. The need for water has resulted in uneven population distribution. Large arid regions are virtually uninhabited. Most of the population is concentrated near freshwater resources like rivers, oases, and wadis. Freshwater is also available through desalination. Desalination is a process that removes the salt from seawater. Desalination plants are used all over the world, and many are found in Southwest Asia.
The economies of Southwest Asia range from very poor to incredibly wealthy. Economic development and standards of living vary widely between countries. For example, Qatar’s GDP per capita was $124,100 in 2017. Yemen's GDP per capita was $2,500 in 2017. This difference is partly due to regional conflicts. War and political unrest have impacted economic development in countries like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They have also affected tourism in the region. Despite this, cities like Mecca, Jerusalem, Istanbul, and Dubai continue to attract visitors from around the world.
Southwest Asia Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, cultural influences, and economic characteristics of Southwest Asia, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
