Physical Geography of the Middle East
While most people picture the Middle East region as an expansive hot desert, it actually includes mountains, fertile river valleys, and coastal plains. These physical features influence the region's climate, biodiversity, and human activity.
The Middle East is home to several mountain ranges, including the Zagros Mountains in Iran, the Taurus Mountains in Turkey, and the Alborz Mountains in northern Iran. These mountains serve as natural barriers, affecting regional climate patterns, water distribution, and biodiversity. They also hold strategic importance, providing natural defense barriers, mineral resources, and grazing lands.
Vast areas are, of course, still covered by deserts. The Arabian Desert, which includes the the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) a "hyper-arid" region with less than 2 inches of rain each year. The Syrian Desert covers most of Jordan and Syria and features rocky or gravelly desert with occasional wadis or riverbeds.
These deserts are rich in oil and gas reserves, making them significant economic resources for countries across the Middle East.
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Iraq, and the Jordan River are key river systems in the Middle East. These river valleys support fertile agricultural lands that enabled the development of ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia and influenced settlement patterns.
Control over water resources in these river valleys has been a source of tension and conflict among neighboring countries, leading to geopolitical issues.
The Red Sea is a crucial waterway for shipping and trade while also boasting coral reefs. It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea by the man-made Suez Canal, 120-mile waterway that opened in 1869.
The Persian Gulf, between Saudi Arabia and Iran, is rich in oil and natural gas, making it one of the most important regions for energy resources in the world. It narrows to the Strait of Hormuz before emptying into the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean.
Coastal plains in this region that border the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea are vital for maritime trade, fishing, and urban development. Cities like Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Dubai are located on coastal plains, allowing them to serve as economic and cultural hubs.
These coastal regions are vulnerable to environmental threats such as sea-level rise, pollution, and coastal erosion, that have impacted local communities and ecosystems.