| WG.4 |
The student will locate and analyze physical, economic, and cultural characteristics of world regions: . . .North Africa and Southwest Asia,. . .. |
| WG.12 |
The student will apply geography to interpret the past, understand the present, and plan for the future by |
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a) |
using geographic knowledge, skills, and perspectives to analyze problems and make decisions; |
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b) |
relating current events to the physical and human characteristics of places and regions. |
Describe how physical, economic, and cultural characteristics influence regional development. Use the regional information provided below.
Countries
Location of countries with particular emphasis on countries listed (determined by their per capita GDP, land size, and population)
• GDP
- Kuwait
- United Arab Emirates
- Qatar
- Israel
• Land size
- Algeria
- Saudi Arabia
- Libya
• Population
- Iran
- Turkey
- Egypt
Physical Characteristics
• Crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia
• Desert and semiarid climates — Sahara, Sahel, steppes
• Mountains
- Atlas
- Taurus
- Zagros
• Water features
- Mediterranean Sea
- Red Sea
- Black Sea
- Arabian Sea
- Persian/Arabian Gulf
- Strait of Hormuz
- Bosporus Strait
- Dardanelles Strait
- Nile River
- Tigris River
- Euphrates River
- Jordan River
• Seasonal flooding, alluvial soils, delta regions, oases, wadis
Economic Characteristics
• Heavy reliance on primary economic activity (oil drilling, agriculture, pastoralism)
• Major producers of world’s oil
• Oil revenues — Positive and negative effects
• Water — The region’s most precious resource
• Great variation in standard of living — Ranging from relatively high to poverty-stricken
• Regional conflicts, political unrest that affects tourism
• Aswan High Dam — Positive and negative effects
• Suez Canal — Enhanced shipping routes in the region
• Guest workers
• Trade important to region from earliest time
• Wide range of per capita income and levels of development
• Contemporary trade routes (sea lanes)
• Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Cultural Characteristics
• Rapid urbanization
• Modernization centered in urban areas while traditional life continues in rural areas
• Large percentage of population under age 15
• Population unevenly distributed
• Arab countries and Arabic language
• Non-Arab countries: Turkey, Iran, Israel
• Birthplace of three major monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
• Conflict over Palestine
• Nomadic lifestyles
• Art that reflects the diversity of religions (stained glass, geometric tiles, calligraphy, mosaics, prayer rugs)
• Cities as centers of culture and trade
- Baghdad
- Cairo
- Istanbul
- Jerusalem
- Mecca
- Tehran
• Cultural landscape
- Mosques, minarets
- Church of the Holy Sepulcher
- Hagia Sophia
- Bazaars, suqs
- Western Wall
- Dome of the Rock
- Kaaba
- Pyramids
- Oil rigs
- Walled cities
Explain the following practical applications of how geography enables students to be informed, active citizens in their communities:
• Recycling programs
• Conversion of land from agricultural use
• Water sources (e.g., dams, reservoirs, wells, pipelines, ocean)
• Airport expansion
• Air quality
• Boundaries (e.g., school zones)
• Bicycle paths
• Mass transit
• City planning and zoning laws
• Energy use
• Location and size of public buildings (e.g., schools, recreation centers, hospitals, and libraries)
• Selection of locations for new stores and businesses
Explain that current events are shaped by the physical and human characteristics of the places and regions where they occur.
Use the following examples to explain how physical and human characteristics influence current events of places and regions:
• How physical characteristics influence current events:
- Natural hazards (e.g., flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes, drought)
- Climate, vegetation
• How human characteristics influence current events:
- Population distribution
- Geographic patterns of ethnic diversity
- A sense of place (emotional attachment to specific locations)
- Geographic patterns of trade and interdependence (e.g., oil)
- Geographic patterns of wealth and poverty (developed and developing nations)
Below is an annotated list of Internet resources recommended for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.
Africa. Geographia. <http://www.geographia.com/indx06.htm>. This site provides access to much information about countries in Africa.
“Arabic Calligraphy: Arabic Alphabet.” al-Bab. <http://www.al-bab.com/arab/visual/calligraphy.htm>. This site provides much information about the Arabic alphabet.
“The Aswan High Dam.” What You Need to Know About. <http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa012698.htm?once=true&>. This Web site outlines the positive and negative effects of the dam on the Nile Rive and surrounding land.
Graphic Maps.com. World Atlas.com. <http://www.worldatlas.com/clipart.htm>. This site provides numerous free outline maps, map tests, and clip art.
InfoNation. United Nations. <http://www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/index.asp>. This site provides information to facilitate comparison of data on three or more countries; from the UN Cyberschoolbus: A Global Teaching and Learning Project.
“Label Middle Eastern Countries and Major Bodies of Water.” Enchanted Learning.com. <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/continents/Mideast/label/>. This site presents an outline map with blanks for filling in names of the countries and bodies of water in this area.
Mesopotamia, The Code of Hammurabi.” Washington State University. <http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/CODE.HTM>. This site provides a 1910 translation of the law codes of Hammurabi.
Middle East Webquest. Jones Academic Magnet High. <http://home.earthlink.net/~lazarski/home/Midest1.htm>. This site is a fully programmed Webquest activity designed to help students learn more about the Middle East.
OnlineNewsHour. Public Broadcasting Service. <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/conflict/>. This site, the Web site of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, provides an index of past programs and a search feature, thus allowing access to information about this organizing topic.
Outline Maps — Education Place. Houghton Mifflin, 2002. <http://www.eduplace.com/ss/ssmaps/>. This site permits visitors to print a variety of maps related to this organizing topic.
Owl and Mouse Educational Software. <http://www.yourchildlearns.com/owlmouse.htm>. This site offers various map puzzles, interactive maps, and map games.
Pyramids: The Inside Story. Public Broadcasting Service. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/>. This site provides information on Ancient Egypt.
Sakkal, Mamoun. “The Art of Arabic Calligraphy.” Sakkal Design. <http://www.sakkal.com/ArtArabicCalligraphy.html>. This site gives the history and describes the styles of Arabic calligraphy.
Shulman, Robin. Tracing Borders. Public Broadcasting Service. <http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/israel/intro.html>. This site details the “border” between Israel and the Palestinian people.
Siddiqui, Elisabeth. “Islamic Art.” Colorado State University. <http://www.colostate.edu/Orgs/MSA/find_more/islart.html>. This site gives a concise description of Islamic art.
“Southwest Asia/North Africa.” Arizona Geographic Alliance. <http://alliance.la.asu.edu/maps/MIDEAST.PDF>. This site provides an outline map of the countries of this area.
Theban Mapping Project. <http://www.thebanmappingproject.com/>. This is an interactive site on Egypt, including flash tours.
The World Factbook 2002. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. <https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html>. This site contains searchable information on all countries.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning: History and Social Science Released Items for Virginia and United States History. Virginia Department of Education 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/Release2003/History/VA-RIBs_g11wgeo-1.pdf>.
Virginia Standards of Learning Assessments for the 2001 History and Social Science Standards of Learning: World Geography Test Blueprint. Virginia Department of Education, 2003/04. <http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/HistoryBlueprints03/2002Blueprint9WG.pdf>. This site provides assessment information for the course in World Geography. |
