Southwestern overseas Asia. The East is a delicate matter of the country of Southwest Asia

The subcontinent of Southwest Asia occupies a position intermediate between and Africa. It includes two physical and geographical countries - the Arabian Peninsula and the Mesopotamian Plain. Sometimes the Asian Mediterranean () is also considered as part of Southwest Asia, since this physiographic country has much in common with other regions of the subcontinent. The Arabian block, in essence, is a part of the Arab-Nubian arch of the ancient African platform. The rift fault of the Red Sea separated the Arabian part from the Nubian part, but in many ways the nature of Arabia differs little from the nature of the African Sahara. The Mesopotamian Plain occupies a trough between the Arabian block and the Alpine folded structures in the south of the Iranian Highlands. The trough only in the Neogene was filled with demolition products from the rising mountains and joined the Arabian Peninsula to Eurasia. Both physical and geographical countries of Southwest Asia are closely related dynamically and genetically and have many common features nature.

Almost the entire territory of the subcontinent is dominated by a tropical continental climate, except for the northern outskirts, where the average temperatures of the coldest month are not higher than 8-10 ° C, and precipitation occurs in winter associated with the penetration of Mediterranean cyclones here. On the southern slopes of the mountains of Yemen, the southwest monsoon comes in summer and it rains. The rest of the subcontinent is characterized by aridity, high temperatures throughout the year and rather large temperature amplitudes, especially daily ones, which can reach 20-30°C.

Surface runoff in the region is fed by meager precipitation, and only in the Mesopotamian Trough did the Tigris and Euphrates river basins form, receiving water from neighboring mountains. There are large reserves of groundwater, which in some places come to the surface, forming springs around which oases are located. Groundwater is also extracted using wells and artesian wells. In the south of Mesopotamia (Mesopotamia), groundwater lies close to the surface of a flat, low-lying plain on impervious marine clays and there are many wetlands.

The entire subcontinent is characterized by desert tropical biocenoses with succulents and plants with a powerful root system. There are many species in flora and fauna that are common with the Sahara and.

The main wealth of the region is in the Persian Gulf. It is the largest oil and gas province the globe. In addition, there are large stocks natural gas, as well as phosphorites, natural sulfur, potash and table salts, semi-precious stones. Except mineral resources, the subcontinent has significant recreational opportunities (now they are beginning to be widely used). On the territory of the region you can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, grapes, the best varieties coffee (mocha), cotton, date palms(Iraq supplied 80% of dates to the world market). The use of resources is hampered by political instability in the region. Problems also arise in connection with the pollution of the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, inland waters in Mesopotamia. Agriculture requires irrigation, so a large reservoir was built on the Euphrates to regulate flow and generate energy. At the same time, Mesopotamia needs drainage. Ecological problems aggravated by military conflicts in the region.

Arabian Peninsula

The region occupies the entire territory of the peninsula, except for the extreme northwest. It borders on the Levant, the Near Asian highlands and is washed in the west by the Red Sea, in the south by the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, in the southeast by the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Saudi Arabia, the Yemen Arab Republic and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, Oman, a number of small Arab states along the coast of the Persian Gulf, part of Iraq, Syria and Jordan lie entirely within its borders.

The integrity of this physical and geographical country is determined by the position on the Arabian block, almost entirely in the region of a continental tropical climate, close to the climate of the Sahara.

The Arabian platform is dominated by the relief of basement and stratal plains and blocky mountains. The Arabian block is tilted towards the Mesopotamian lowland and the Persian Gulf.

Outcrops of the crystalline basement are confined to the central part of the Arab-Nubian dome. Here, along the coast of the Red Sea, plateau massifs and blocky ridges are formed in height from 2000 m in the north to 2800 m in the Hijas mountains. In the south, the Yemeni mountains reach 3600 m. To the east is a high basement plain - the Central Arabian, or Central Plateau (Najd). To the east, north and south of it, the crystalline basement is covered by sedimentary strata, the age of which decreases from west to east. Here, a system of cuestas was formed with valleys between them, composed mainly of sand from the surface. Sandy strata form from the surface and syneclise in the south of the peninsula.

Layered uplands have the character of table plains, alternating with surfaces strongly dissected by dry channels. A lowland (tihama) stretches along the coast of the Red Sea. In the extreme southeast, the young folded Oman mountains (Khojar) are located - on an alpine folded base (this is part of the Zagros, separated from the main system by a graben of the Gulf of Oman). The mountains and plateaus of the western part of the peninsula are characterized by a wide participation of volcanic landforms: lava plateaus, extinct cones and.

The region has an extremely arid hot climate. Tropical, dry and well-warmed even in winter predominate.

Only in the north there are cold invasions, leading even to frosts in winter. The small amount and in some places the almost complete absence of precipitation are explained by the peculiarities of the baric field over the region. In summer, a depression is located above the peninsula, the center of which is located in the area of the Indus basin, where they rush air masses by region high pressure over the Mediterranean. Getting to the strongly warmed territory of Arabia, they acquire the properties of continental tropical air and do not give precipitation. In winter, the high pressure zone of tropical latitudes extends here. Winter precipitation occurs in the northern part of the region and is associated with Mediterranean cyclones. In the central parts of the peninsula, episodic showers also usually fall in winter and are associated with rare intrusions of Mediterranean cyclones. Only on the slopes of the Yemeni mountains are summer rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

Arabia is characterized by dust storms, most often associated with a simum - a hot dry squally wind like a hair dryer, usually of a western or southwestern direction.

The region is deprived of surface waters. During rare downpours, water fills the beds of dried up streams (wadis or oueddas). The length of some of these channels on the peninsula reaches several hundred kilometers. The dense network of wadis indicates that there was once a humid climate.

The region is dominated by desert vegetation with succulents (euphorbia, aloe) and shrubs and herbs that can extract water from great depths (astragalus, wormwood, aristida).

Typical for Arabia are such exotic ("biblical") plants as the Jericho rose and the manna lichen. Large areas are occupied by loose sands and gravel and are devoid of vegetation. Trees grow only in oases (mainly date palms) and on the moist slopes of the Yemeni mountains (at an altitude of 1000-2000 m there are forests of acacias, mimosas, sycamores, tree-like milkweeds, etc.). They breed there cultivated plants(fruit trees, indigo, a coffee tree and etc.).

In the central parts of Arabia, the population is sparse, engaged in nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in the oases. The outskirts are densely populated. Here are the centers of the oil industry, large ports, big cities. Nature has been greatly modified by man. The states along the shores of the Persian Gulf live off the oil trade, conflicts and even wars arise because of oil, and this has a very negative effect on the state of natural complexes.

Mesopotamian Plain

This physiographic country lies in the basin of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers between Arabia and the Zagros mountains. In the north it borders on the Armenian Highlands. The territory belongs to Iraq, in the southeast - to Iran, in the northwest - to Syria.

The plain formed in a trough earth's crust on loose sediments. The tropical climate of most of Mesopotamia in the north is replaced by a subtropical one.

The main distinguishing feature of the region is the presence of two large rivers draining the plain. The Tigris and Euphrates originate in the Armenian Highlands. They carry the one that gives the melting snow in the mountains. The Tigris also receives tributaries from the slopes of the Zagros, which are irrigated by the summer monsoon.

The region is distinguished by a flat relief. Most of it is a flat alluvial lowland up to 100 m in height, turning into the growing delta of Shat al-Arab - this is the name of the river below the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates. To the northwest, the height of the plain increases: the Jezir plateau has a height of 200-400 meters (strictly speaking, this is not a plateau, but a hill). Its surface is flat, sometimes hilly.

The climate in Mesopotamia is arid, but in the north in winter there is precipitation associated with cyclones coming here (annual amount exceeds 300 mm, and in some places even 500-700 mm). In the southern part, annual precipitation decreases to 200-100 mm or less, and occasional rains.

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Upper Mesopotamia cut quite deeply into the surface of the plateau. Accumulation processes predominate in the lowlands.

There are many lakes and wetlands in Mesopotamia. In conditions of moisture deficiency, land drainage is required here. In the lower reaches there is an area (Sumer), where in spring there are always floods that affect the formation of natural complexes and the life of the population: there is rich vegetation, good conditions for agriculture on fertile alluvial soils.

In general, the Mesopotamian Plain is dominated by desert and semi-desert landscapes. Trees (Euphrates poplar, willows, tamarix) grow only along river channels. There is also woody vegetation on the slopes of the heights of Upper Mesopotamia (oaks, pistachios, etc.). Date palm groves are characteristic of the very south of the region.

The region has a fairly well-preserved wildlife, especially a lot of birds and wild boars in the flooded thickets along the rivers.

In Mesopotamia, there are huge reserves of oil and gas contained in marine Mesozoic and Paleogene deposits of the trough. Oil is produced in both Iraq and Iran. The development of cities and the transport network is associated with oil production, which enhances human influence on natural processes in the extreme conditions of arid territories. The desertification processes that develop in the southern parts of the region are especially dangerous.

The material contains information about the territory occupied by Southwest Asia. The article tells about the composition of the population of the region, the predominant religion and the economic potential of the majority of states. Indicates the specifics and features of the geographical location of the territory.

Southwest Asia

The region geographically refers to areas of Asia.
Its composition includes:

Transcaucasia;
Kopetdag;
Asia Minor Highlands,
Armenian Highlands;
Iranian highlands;
Mesopotamia;
Arabian Peninsula.

Southwest Asia also includes the peninsula of Arabia, the Syrian-Palestinian mountains and the plains of Mesopotamia.

The total area of the territory is 6.8 million km. sq.

Rice. 1. Region on the map.

The specificity of the geography of the region lies in the special geological structure- the region is a fragment of the African platform.

According to some researchers, this is a controversial region in terms of its location and belonging to the countries of Southwest Asia and their territories. Some researchers attribute some states to Southwest Asia, and some scientists orient these same powers towards the Middle East.

List of countries that are part of the region:

Climate of Southwest Asia

The climatic conditions here are rather dry. This explains the influence of the tropical and subtropical climatic zones on the territory. In the areas of central and southern localization of the Arabian Peninsula, the temperature maximum rises to + 55 ° C.

Rice. 3. Desert areas of the region's territories.

Only on the Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts is there a zone of hardwood forests and shrubs. Average assessment: 4.8. Total ratings received: 147.

ASIA

Foreign Asia is extraordinarily attractive: - diverse, exotic nature, - history with its numerous historical monuments, - ethno-confessional features of Asian peoples. It was in Asia that many centers of ancient civilizations were located.

On the territory of foreign Asia, a tourist can get acquainted with many natural areas: from the equatorial forests of Indonesia

to the temperate deserts of northwestern China and Mongolia.

In different countries and regions, monuments dating back millennia:

Buddhist, - Jewish, - Muslim, - Christian and other cultures.

Asian countries are inhabited by representatives of the Mongoloid and Caucasoid races, speaking a wide variety of languages and dialects.

In Asia, there are the highest mountain systems in the world, and among them the Himalayas, where the highest peaks of the Earth are concentrated.

There are areas in Asia

Long and widespread tourism (Middle East, India),

Areas where the tourist boom has begun in recent years (countries of Southeast Asia).

The level of development of tourist infrastructure is also different.

Natural, historical, cultural, ethno-confessional attractiveness, developed tourist infrastructure form tourist and recreational zones and regions of Asia.

Political conjuncture, acute conflicts in many Asian countries and regions repel tourists from Asian regions.

All this makes the tourist map of overseas Asia very colorful.

It can reveal five touristrecreational areas:

Southwest Asia- includes 4 macrodistricts:

1. Turkey and Cyprus,

2. Palestine (Israel),

3. Arab states (Middle East) - (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia),

4. Middle East (Iran and Afghanistan).

South Asia– includes 4 macrodistricts

1. India (the territory of India (outside the Himalayas) and Bangladesh),

2. Pakistan,

3. Himalayan (mountainous regions of India, Nepal and Bhutan),

4. Bangladesh and the island state (on the island of Ceylon) Sri Lanka.

Southeast Asia- includes 2 macrodistricts:

1. Continental (Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia - part of which lies on the islands),

2. Island (Indonesia and Philippines)

East Asia- is divided into 4 tourist macro-districts:

1. Japan,

2. Korean region (DPRK and the Republic of Korea),

3. Northeast and East China,

4. Southern China (with Taiwan)

central Asia- is divided into 3 macro-districts:

1. Western China,

3. Mongolia.

southwest asia

Includes the states of the Near and Middle East with ancient history and predominantly Muslim culture.

The exception is Israel- a country of immigration and widespread Judaism with its shrines.

City of Jerusalem - shrines of three religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Attracts pilgrims,

Sets the stage for constant sharp conflicts

which also affects the scale of tourism.

In the countries of this zone, the attention of tourists is attracted by:

Warm sea (especially the Mediterranean, washing the coast

Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Israel),

Favorable for recreation subtropical climate.

Ancient cities or their ruins,

Numerous cities with their historical and cultural heritage. Among them:

Istanbul, Turkey),

Amman (Jordan),

The ancient cities of Lebanon - Baalbek, Saida, as well as the organized tourist center of the country - its capital Beirut,

Nicosia (Cyprus),

Iranian cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Shirak, Hamadan.

Afghanistan is interesting for tourism opportunities, but the events of recent decades make it impossible to use them.

As part of Southwest Asia, tourist macrodistricts: Turkey and Cyprus, Palestine, Arab States (Middle East), Middle East.

1. Turkey and Cyprus They are connected both by their history and modern relations.

Republic Cyprus- an island state in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea. Member of the European Union since May 1, 2004).

Officially, the territory of the Republic of Cyprus includes

98% of the island of Cyprus (the remaining 2% is occupied by British military bases),

As well as the nearby islands of Agios Georgios, Geronissos, Glukiotissa, Kila, Kiedes, Kordylia and Mazaki.

In reality, after 1974, the island was divided into three parts:

60% of the island's territory is controlled by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus (populated mainly by Greeks),

38% - Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (populated mainly by Turks),

2% - British Armed Forces.

The TRNC is recognized as an independent state by the Republic of Abkhazia, the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (within Azerbaijan) and Turkey.

Muslim Cypriots live in the northern part of Cyprus,

Turkish speakers.

The rest of the island is predominantly Orthodox,

speaking Greek.

The division of Cyprus creates unnecessary tension.

Tourists-resorts have the opportunity

Enjoy the benefits of the Mediterranean

Favorable Mediterranean climate.

Visit low mountain areas

Take baths near mineral springs.

The tourism industry is one of the main items of national income. A significant part of the population is employed in tourism, the profit from tourism is the main source of foreign currency inflow to the budget of the republic. Over the past 4 years, the number of tourists in Cyprus has increased by 29%, and income from tourism - by 40%.

The largest resorts: - Larnaca, - Paphos, - Limassol, - Ayia Napa

Protaras, - Famagusta, - Kyrenia (under the control of the TRNC).

Many beaches in Cyprus have been awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for environmental cleanliness and infrastructure.

City Nicosia (Levkosha) - the capital and largest city of Cyprus - in the center of the island, divided by the "green line" - the buffer zone m / d southern and northern Cyprus. In Nicosia, tourists inspect:

Selima Mosque, - Hagia Sophia, - 6-meter Venetian column,

The ruins of the fortress wall

Museum with objects of the Bronze Age and masterpieces of historical art;

The second largest city in Cyprus - a seaport Limassol founded in Byzantine times. To the west of it is the British sovereign base of Akrotiri. Near Limosol - the tower of Colossia (the castle of the Order of Ionites - 1454 - one of the most famous castles in Cyprus - was the citadel of various knightly orders - first the Templars, then the Order of the Hospitallers, and from the XIV century the knights of the Order of Malta (Joannites) settled here, the head of which is one time was the Russian Emperor Paul I. The surroundings of the castle are the most beautiful citrus plantations, and the fortress itself is famous primarily for its sugar factory).

The beaches of Limassol are covered with dark sand, predominantly of volcanic origin.

Resort Ayia Napa - the center of club life (along with Ibiza) is focused on young people.

For family holidays, Paphos and Protaras serve mainly.

The beaches of Ayia Napa and Protaras are characterized by white sand.

The coast of Paphos is mostly rocky.

City Pathos included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. Close to it is the bay of Aphrodite. According to legend, in this place the goddess of love and beauty was born from sea foam. The ruins of the temples of Aphrodite and Apollo have been preserved

Attractions Cyprus are a mixture of different eras:

The Byzantine castle of Kolossi, where Isaac Komnenos took refuge from the crusaders (Byzantine emperor of Cyprus in 1057-1059, son of Manuel Eroticus Komnenos, approximate emperor Basil II, until he was deposed by Richard I during the Third Crusade)

Church where Richard I the Lionheart married Princess Berengaria of Navarre

Venetian fortresses,

british left hand traffic,

The main attraction in the north of the island is the old walled city. Famagusta - with the medieval Tower of Othello (It was in Famagusta that the main events of Shakespeare's tragedy “Othello” unfolded),

- "ghost town" (Varosha quarter before the Turkish invasion in 1974 was the main tourist center in Cyprus, and then became a "ghost town")

Geographical proximity to a number of Mediterranean countries allows for sea cruises to Egypt, Israel, the island of Rhodes, Jordan. Cruise liners depart from the seaports of Larnaca and Limassol.

The local population traditionally adheres to Orthodox Christianity. There are many Orthodox churches on the island, Orthodox icons are for sale.

Among the attractions of Cyprus are Orthodox shrines, such as the tomb of St. Lazarus in Larnaca.

Turkey attracts tourists recreants:

Seaside areas (along the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, Black Seas) are known for swimming seasons (warm sea, subtropical climate),

Famous Mediterranean resorts (Antalya, Alanya, etc.).

Resorts based on the use of mineral springs (ex. springs near the city of Bursa were used by the Byzantines).

Turkey attracts with its historical-culttour values.

Many of them are concentrated on the shores of the Bosphorus in the city of Istanbul (in the past - Constantinople, in ancient Russian documents - Tsargrad).

The transformation of the Orthodox Byzantine capital into a Muslim city led to a change in the appearance of the city:

Orthodox churches have turned into mosques (there are also many minarets).

The most famous temple is a work of Byzantine architecture Hagia Sophia

Museums, incl. archaeological (with the sarcophagus of Alexander the Great),

Monuments of civil architecture.

In the XX century. Istanbul has been largely Europeanized.

Other educational tourism centers in Turkey:

Capital Ankara (ancient buildings, the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Ataturk (Kemal Pasha);

- Izmir (which is famous for its antiquities and annual fairs);

- Bursa, Adan, Erzurum (with their ancient monuments and mosques).

There are many elements in the east of Turkey natural attraction:

Plateaus and low mountains in the east of the country pass into high-mountainous regions with a well-defined altitudinal zonality (up to the nival zone),

Sacred for Armenians (but located after World War I on the territory of Turkey) Ararat massif, where Noah's Ark ended its journey

Large and very picturesque Lake Van

2. Palestine. This neighborhood includes:

The State of Israel, predominantly Jewish (indigenous and immigrant),

And the Arab territories, which for many decades have been fighting for the creation of an Arab Palestinian state.

The territory of Palestine is rich in historical events.

The first city in the world was discovered in the Jordan Valley - Jericho (“the city of dates”), whose age is seven thousand years. On a large hill, archaeological excavations are underway, which attract the attention of many tourists.

South of the largest city of Palestine, Jerusalem (Jerusalem), is the city of Bethlehem , over which, according to legend, a star lit up at the moment when Jesus Christ was born in a modest manger. A grandiose temple was built here.

Jera salem - a city of three confessions (Jewish, Christian, Muslim)

Historical and cultural monuments:

Jewish Wailing Wall

Christian shrines: - the chapel of the Holy Sepulcher,

Golgotha where Christ was crucified

The rock where he prayed

Many more places associated with evangelical stories

According to Islam, the Muslim prophet Mohammed later ascended to heaven from the rock where Christ prayed (the magnificent Mosque of Omar was built here).

It is no coincidence that during the division of Palestine after World War II, the UN issued a decision on the special status of Jerusalem, which is historically divided into the Old and New City.

Other cities in the region include:

The actual capital of Israel Tel Aviv (although the leadership of the state considers Jerusalem to be the capital, which is not recognized by most states of the world) with its:

Museum of Mediterranean Art "Haaretz"

Art gallery.

There are Korolenko, Zola and others streets.

- Jaffa , numbering several centuries of its existence. Here you can walk along the street: Pushkin, Pestalozzi, Michelangelo, Dante, M. Gorky

An even older city Haifa .

In these cities there are historical and cultural objects of previous centuries.

Resorts- marine

On the Mediterranean coast, especially in the area of Natanya and Eilat in the Arabian Gulf of the Red Sea.

On the coast of the Dead Sea with very high salinity

3. Arab countries. Includes the Middle East or most of Asia Minor (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia). All of these are Muslim Arab states.

With the exception of Mediterranean Lebanon and partly Syria and Arabia, all countries are arid deserts and semi-deserts. Civilization developed only when irrigation systems were created at the expense of rivers (as in Mesopotamia) or groundwater, in oases.

From Ser. 20th century began to produce oil - a modern civilization is being formed

Modern seaside resorts appeared on the shores of the seas.

In the mountains of Lebanon - mountain resorts.

In all countries of the macroregion, many historical and cultural attractions - monuments of distant millennia and centuries

AT Lebanon - one of the earliest human settlements - Baalbek , where saved:

The ruins of religious buildings dedicated to Jupiter,

Statues, sculptures of Venus, Bacchus,

Rows of columns and sculptures, stairs.

The city of Saida is one of the ancient settlements in Lebanon.

The capital of country - Beirut, along with the old quarters, is distinguished by modern buildings, corresponding to the role of Beirut - the center of finance and culture.

AT Syria

The ancient cities of Palmyra and Aleppo with monuments of Hellenic art.

The capital of country Damascus attracts with objects of Muslim culture (ex. Omayyad Mosque - one of the most famous shrines of Islam)

AT Iraq

In his capital Baghdad

Nazimiya Mosque, or the Golden Mosque, decorated with four minarets with gilded domes

Many modern buildings stylized in the spirit of Muslim traditions.

Away from the capital, located on the banks of the Tigris River, are the ruins of ancient cities: incl. Babylon.

In the north and northeast of Iraq there are summer high mountain resorts.

Despite the tourist attractiveness of Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the flow of tourists to these countries due to political neststrength limited.

Less interesting othersome Arab countries Middle East: Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain - whose economy is based on oil production - are attracted by modern cities.

Saudi Arabia occupies a special place:

The main places of pilgrimage for Muslims are cities associated with the activities of the Prophet Muhammad and the birth of Islam - Mecca (with a black stone kaaba)

And Medina

Pilgrimage (Hajj) gives huge income to the country

The city of Jeddah, through which thousands of pilgrims go. There are several historical monuments here, incl. the grave of the first woman, Eve.

UAE

On the northeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, at the junction of the Persian and Oman Gulfs, there is a small but cozy and modern state - the United United Arab Emirates- a fabulous Arab country

This is the charm of the exotic oriental fairy tale,

Western service standards

Country of Arab sheikhs,

Astounding skyscrapers,

The best hotels in the world

first class jewelry stores,

giant malls,

Unforgettable shopping (duty free zone),

White sands of endless beaches

Blooming gardens in the middle of the desert

Sun almost all year round

The bottomless blue of the warm Persian Gulf,

Impressive tour program.

4. Middle East countries - Iran and Afghanistan.

Iran - a country of very diverse nature and ancient history.

Seas and rivers, plains (low and elevated) and high Elburs mountains with Damavend peak (in the north), various forests, dry steppes, semi-deserts and deserts, healing mineral springs and therapeutic mud.

Monuments of Muslim culture (civil and religious buildings)

In the capital Tehran,

The cities of Isfahan, Tabriz, Mashhad, Qazvin and others.

Currently, due to the difficult international situation of Iran, the flow of tourists is limited. Both external forces and the activity of Islamic fundamentalists contribute to this.

AT Afghanistan - a multinational mountainous country where hostilities are taking place, tourism is impossible these days. Practically inaccessible for tourism:

The harsh but impressive nature of Afghanistan,

Historical and cultural sites in the capital Kabul, in the cities of Herat, Kandahar

One of the most famous tourist sites throughout Asia is Biamin (in this depression at an altitude of more than 2 thousand meters there is a rock dug up by hundreds of caves) -

In the rocks - two carved 50-meter statues of Buddha,

And on the hill is the fortress of Shahar-i-Gulgula

The possibilities of the winter resort of Jalalabad are unclaimed,

hunting opportunities,

observation of local ritual holidays.

Southwest Asia (Near and Middle East) includes 16 countries located at the junction of three parts of the world. These are Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Cyprus. The EGP of these countries has improved significantly after the construction of the Suez Canal and the Berlin railway — Baghdad.

An important strategic position, huge deposits of oil and natural gas have always attracted developed countries here. After the collapse of the USSR, the United States has the greatest influence on events in this region. Southwest Asia is a very politically turbulent region. The Arab-Israeli conflict has not stopped for a long time, the Kurdish problem has not been resolved. The south of Mesopotamia has become a bone of contention between Iran, Iraq and Kuwait, and the civil war in Afghanistan does not stop. Greek-Turkish feuds led to the division into two parts of Cyprus. The countries of the region are the world's largest arms importers.

According to the state system in the region, there are both republics and monarchies, most of which are absolute.

Natural resource potential of Southwest Asia

From previous geography courses, remember in which climatic zones Southwest Asia is located. What problems of development of these countries are connected with climatic conditions?

The mineral resources of the region are insufficiently explored. In addition to huge reserves of oil (66% of world reserves) and gas (26%), significant volumes of chromites (Turkey), mineral salts are released Dead Sea and phosphorites, potassium salts (Jordan, Israel).

Population of Southwest Asia

206 million people live on the territory of Southwest Asia. The population is growing rapidly due to high natural population growth. The countries of the region differ greatly in terms of population; 2/3 of the region's inhabitants are concentrated in Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.

The distribution of the population is also uneven. Its average density in one country does not exceed 100 persons/sq. km, and in desert regions it is less than 1 person/sq. km. The region is characterized by significant population migration. Peoples leading a nomadic way of life still live here. Israel's population is formed by immigrants. Many Palestinian Arabs are forced to leave their homeland, a significant number of foreign Muslim workers work in the oil fields. Many Turks work in Western Europe, especially in Germany.

Urbanization is generally low, with Afghanistan and Yemen among the lowest in the world. The urban population is growing rapidly, but individual cities predominate, agglomerations are just being formed (Istanbul, Tehran). The proportion of urban residents is especially high in small oil-producing countries; in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, it exceeds 90% of the population. Some cities arose in ancient times (Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut, Riyadh, etc.). It was in this region that the three main religions of the world were born: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. The cities of Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina are considered sacred, they are visited by many pilgrims every year.

The ethnic composition of the population is quite complex. The most homogeneous population of the Arabian Peninsula, which is based on the Arabs. Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are multinational countries. Along with Turks, Persians, Afghans (Pashtuns) and Arabs live national minorities: Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others. Ethnic and religious differences create serious political and economic difficulties in every country.

General characteristics of the economy of Southwest Asia

By level economic development the countries of Southwest Asia are of two types: Israel, Turkey and Cyprus are medium developed countries, the rest of the states are developing countries. But these groups are also heterogeneous.

Israel is an industrial-agricultural country, the share of industry in GDP is 30%. The structure of industry is dominated by science-intensive industries: medical electronics, communications, computers. The metal-working, aviation, shipbuilding, electrical engineering, chemical, and diamond-working industries are also developing. Tall specific gravity in the economy has a military industry.

The policy of the Cypriot leadership is aimed at turning the country into a commercial, financial and tourist center. The economy of this country is characterized by a high share of the service sector (47% of GDP). The leading industries are food, clothing, mining, building materials industry.

The backbone of the economy developing countries, is agriculture, which is still backward and unproductive due to archaic agrarian relations. Constant droughts are a real disaster for the population of these countries. Irrigated land is plentiful, but irrigation systems are mostly primitive. The countries of Southwest Asia bring grain, butter, sugar, tea, and livestock products.

Agriculture is dominated by crop production. Its basis is consumer crops (wheat, corn, vegetables), cotton. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and fruit plantations. The region occupies a leading position in the world in the production and export of raisins, dried fruits, almonds and dates.

Animal husbandry is unproductive. Sheep and goats, donkeys and camels are bred here. In the world market, astrakhan from Afghanistan is valued.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan belongs to the least developed countries peace. The difficulties associated with the general backwardness of the country were intensified due to many years of civil war. The amount of damage caused by the war reaches 3/4 of all previous investments in the development of the country over 50 years.

The main wealth of the countries of the Persian Gulf coast is oil, the industrial production of which, mainly, began after the Second World War at the expense of foreign capital. These countries have the lowest extraction costs and the highest labor productivity in the world in the oil and gas industry, which is a consequence of favorable natural conditions and low levels of wages. Huge volumes of oil exports (90% of production) led to the development of transport infrastructure: pipelines and oil terminal ports.

Countries are trying to invest petrodollars in industrial development in order to ensure reliable economic growth in the oil period and reduce dependence on an unstable and non-renewable source of income. In some countries, centers of the oil refining industry (UAE, Saudi Arabia) and enterprises for gas liquefaction (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Syria) have appeared. In others - in Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Saudi Arabia - the development of mining industries has intensified (the extraction of phosphorites, potash and table salts, raw materials for the glass and cement industries, lead-zinc and iron ores). In the 80s of the XX century. manufacturing industries developed rapidly. Were created metallurgical plants for the production of steel and pipes in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan. Among the branches of non-ferrous metallurgy, the aluminum industry appeared (Bahrain, Kuwait). Metalworking centers began to form in many countries: automobile assembly plants (Iraq, Kuwait), electric lamp plants (Iraq), and ship repair plants (Bahrain). Based on the mining industries, the chemical and cement industries began to take shape. The light and food industries are also developing. But dimensions industrial production are still insignificant.

Composition of Southwest Asia: the region includes countries with an Arab population - Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates), UAE), Saudi Arabia, Syria. Non-Arab countries include Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Israel, Iran, Turkey.

Geographical position of Southwest Asia Southwest Asia occupies a "middle" position in relation to parts of the Eastern Hemisphere - the Old World. West Side Turkey is a mainly Asian country, located in Europe, the conditional border of Asia and Africa runs along the Sinai Peninsula. Now this feature of the geographical location is taken into account when locating international airports.

The geographic location determined special role region in the world civilizational, economic and political development. Thanks to him, two of the three world religions (Christianity and Islam), which originated in this region, have become widespread in the modern world. From here, millions of tons of oil and a huge amount of gas are distributed all over the world. The oil-producing countries of Southwest Asia are in a favorable position relative to their main buyers.

Southwest Asia one of the smallest regions in foreign Asia in terms of territory and population. It has a long history of development: here, in the interfluve of the Tigris and Euphrates and in the east of the region, the first powerful states appeared in the past, here for the first time a plow was used for cultivating the land, a water lift was invented for irrigating the land. For the first time in the history of mankind, wheat was introduced into the culture of the Iranian Highlands - the main bread of our time.

Education has played an important role in the history of the region. Ottoman Empire, which colonized a significant part of the region and blocked the Great Silk Road. The long-term dependence on backward Turkey resulted in the preservation of the agrarian and raw-material structure of the economy in many countries. To date, Turkey and Iran have managed to overcome it mainly. The principalities in the center of the Arabian Peninsula remained independent in the region, which in 1927 formed a single state, called Saudi Arabia since 1932. In the same years, exploration and production of oil began. In the 18th-19th century, numerous wars were fought in Southwest Asia.

Turkey and Iran sought to capture and convert the population of the Transcaucasian countries to Islam. Here their interests collided with the interests of Russia. As a result of the outcome of repeated wars, many peoples - Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Aisors were separated by the borders of different states. This was the reason for ethnic disagreements and clashes, which escalated in the late nineteenth, early and second half of the twentieth century. They were especially acute in Turkey. The Turkish-Armenian conflict led to the death and expulsion from the country of a significant part of the Armenians living in eastern Turkey. The exiles scattered throughout the world, that is, formed and diaspora.

Everything that is happening now in this region directly affects the interests of the neighboring territories of the Old World - Eurasia and Africa. Thanks to oil reserves, the region became a sphere of interest for the New World (Countries of North and South America).

Natural conditions and natural resources Even in the developing world, it is difficult to find a region in which the economy would be so dependent on the characteristics of natural conditions and natural resources. main feature The natural conditions of the region are the low availability of moisture in vast areas of Southwest Asia. The lack of moisture has become one of the causes of international disputes and conflicts over the fair division of water. Limitation water resources affected the distribution of the population. Densely populated areas gravitate to water arteries, sources of artificial irrigation and underground pools of artesian waters.

Oasis territories are combined with huge tracts of poorly developed and undeveloped lands, the areas of which are especially large in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Water scarcity long time hindered the refining of oil, the main wealth of many countries in the region. It also influenced the structure of agriculture: very small areas are occupied by arable land. They are located either along rivers - sources of irrigation, or in elevated areas, where more precipitation will fall than on the plain. Iraq, Iran and Turkey have the largest tracts of arable land. On arid agricultural lands, small cattle are bred, mainly sheep, most adapted to poor pastures.

Cattle breeders lead a nomadic and semi-nomadic way of life, little changed from the Middle Ages. They are one of the poorest and most backward population groups. Desert nomads are called nomads, their way of life is nomadism. Now in most countries there is a transition of nomads to a settled way of life.

Second feature natural conditions - a large number of heat, which allows artificial irrigation to repeatedly use the land for crops. Hot and dry weather is favorable for ether-bearing plants. AT wild nature collection of medicinal herbs, raw materials for the perfume industry.

In Yemen and in the south of Saudi Arabia, aromatic resins are collected - frankincense, myrrh, which are necessary in the cult of Christian worship. Both substances have strong bactericidal action Therefore, fumigation with incense was used in cathedrals and at the bedside of the sick to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Currently high air temperatures, clear sunny weather are one of the most important tourism resources. The swimming season at many resorts in the region is longer than in many competing countries.

Third feature- Most countries of the region have access to the seas of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In the past, this contributed to the use of fish resources of the sea, the fishing of sponges and pearls, and the development of foreign trade.

Now access to the seas of two oceans provides favorable conditions for the export of oil to all regions of the globe. Extraction, transportation and refining of oil are the main sectors of the economy of Southwest Asia. The region has almost 40% of oil reserves and provides over 30% of its production. The main oil-producing country in Southwest Asia and the world is Saudi Arabia. 25% of the world's oil reserves are concentrated here.

Oil is produced in varying amounts in most countries of the region. The well-being of these countries and their inhabitants depends on oil prices on the world market. In Saudi Arabia, oil and oil products account for 90% of export earnings and form 75% of its budget. This is the main source of budget formation and economic development of all oil-producing countries in Southwest Asia, which is why their economy is called the "oil economy".

Oil and gas are finite resources, so most countries have enough oil reserves for 6 to 12 years. In Bahrain, it is almost over. Although geologists are constantly discovering new deposits in the Arabian Peninsula, for example, Oman and Yemen were among the oil exporters at the end of the 20th century, the question arises: how will these countries exist when oil runs out? Therefore, oil-exporting countries are developing programs to create an "oil-free" sector of the economy. Some of the programs have already been implemented, for example, all more oil processed in producing countries.

Technologies are used in which production requires less water. In addition, many countries operate desalinators sea water. Saudi Arabia uses desalinated water both to supply the population and to develop oil refining and petrochemistry, metallurgical industry. In addition to these measures, oil exporting countries began to invest money received from its sale in the development of large companies located all over the world. They buy in different countries oil refineries, create a network of gas stations. Qatar is engaged in the development of information technology, Bahrain has become a banking center of world importance.

The oil economy has affected all aspects of life and economic activity. The main mode of transport is pipeline transport. Freight external relations are carried out by sea. In passenger communication with other regions, air transport is the main one, as is the case throughout the world. Countries outside the Arabian Peninsula also receive "oil" money for the transportation of oil through their territories, for the use of ports through which oil is sent to consumers by tankers.

Population of Southwest Asia.

The region's population is diverse ethnic composition but religiously homogeneous. Most of population is Muslim. This unites the region and creates conditions for a common policy and mutual support in political and economic life. For example, countries - oil exporters agree on the size of oil production, and prices for it. Islam influences all aspects of the life of the population of this region.

This is manifested in the features of everyday behavior, the lower social position of women in the family and society. Women are much less likely to receive education, very rarely continue to work after marriage. There are strict restrictions in communication, clothing. In some countries women won the right to vote only in the 1970s.

The virtue of Muslims is a large number of children, therefore, in most countries of Southwest Asia, there is a high birth rate. The age structure of the population is young. The largest proportion of children under 16 (46.2% of the population) is in Yemen. However, the population of oil-producing countries remains small. The largest oil-producing country is Saudi Arabia. It occupies an area of more than 2.1 million km², but has only 28.14 million people.

Therefore, oil-producing countries are experiencing a shortage work force and forced to attract it from abroad. In countries such as Qatar, the UAE (United Arab Emirates), in some years the number of immigrants significantly exceeds the number of indigenous people. Immigrants work at oil producing and oil refineries, in tourism. Turkey is very different from the Arab countries in terms of population growth. Thanks to more high level development, a higher proportion of city dwellers, this country in terms of births and deaths is approaching European countries. Population growth is low in Israel and in the countries of Transcaucasia.

Southwest Asia has a high proportion of the urban population. The cities of the region have a long history, their existence is overgrown with legends and myths. The capital of Syria - Damascus is the oldest of the existing cities in the world. No less famous are the cities of Baghdad, Tehran, Beirut, Aden. Istanbul, not being the capital of Turkey, remains its economic, cultural, and innovative center of the country.

amaze modern architecture new cities of the UAE, where one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world is located. But the most famous city in the region is Jerusalem - the keeper of the shrines of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish religions. In the west of Saudi Arabia, at a short distance from each other, there are "two mosques" - Mecca and Medina - the holy cities of Muslims. Here the faithful perform the Hajj - visiting shrines. In Yemen, in the deserted corners of other countries, many medieval towns have been preserved, preserving the traditions and appearance of the Middle Ages. Among them is the Yemeni city of Tarim, which houses the world's largest library of ancient Arabic manuscripts.

Economy of Southwest Asia.

The most modern and industrialized country is Turkey. It is experiencing a shortage of oil and gas, but has significant reserves of chromites, raw materials for ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, and is developing machine building. Turkey has a fairly developed agriculture with some unique industries.

For example, they grow downy goats, once imported from the Orenburg steppes and giving excellent down - tiftik, used in knitwear production (2nd place in the world). The first place belongs to Turkey in the collection and export of nuts - hazelnuts and the fifth place in the collection of tea leaves. Turkey has become one of the main tourist countries in Asia. There are conditions for educational, beach and health, medical, pilgrimage tourism. Its ski resorts are becoming increasingly popular.

Israel occupies a special position in the region.

This state appeared on the world map in 1947. He was given a territory of about 14 thousand km². Already in 1948, Israel launched a war for the expansion of lands, then there were two more invasions of Arab lands. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is one of the most protracted in the world. Its settlement encounters great difficulties and obstacles for which both sides are to blame.

Now Israel is a developed state with a modern industrial structure and efficient agriculture, specialized in the cultivation and export of vegetables and citrus fruits. A growing industry is tourism - pilgrimage, beach and health, medical. Thanks to the Dead Sea, with its healing waters saturated with salts and bromine, Israel has become a health center of world importance. The structure of Iran's industry is no less diverse. A feature of the location of the industrial centers of Turkey and Iran is that large industrial centers are located here not only in port areas, but also in inland lands.

Thanks to oil and geographic location Southwest Asia is open to the world economically, but closed to the influence of other cultures, protecting its foundations, customs and way of life. Southwest Asia, as the oldest region of economic development, has a diverse cultural heritage. Among them, the most significant number of cult monuments - ancient Christian cathedrals, mosques unique in architecture, shrines of Christians, Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem and other cities.

Conclusion: Southwest Asia is a region of great cultural, historical and economic importance. This is the main energy district modern world. Along with oil, gas and agricultural products, over the last decades of the 20th century, it has become a significant supplier of petroleum products, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. The main problems of the region are the problem of efficient and careful use of oil resources, protection of the unique nature, cleanliness of the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. But the most important issue is to end ethnic conflicts and wars over oil fields. Resolving these conflicts will make our world more stable and secure.

Southwest Asia is the world's most important energy region and home to two world religions. Southwest Asia is characterized by exceptionally high dependence on natural conditions and resources. In terms of economic development, all countries in the region can be divided into countries with an “oil economy” and countries relying on other types of natural resources. Dependence on water resources and the availability of land suitable for irrigation leads to conflicts between countries, which are often disguised as religious and ethnic conflicts. overcoming conflict situations, the preservation of natural well-being is one of the conditions for the security of the whole world. This is also important for the region itself, as tourism is rapidly developing in Southwest Asia.

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