Geography of Asia - West Asia Physical Geography

Defined as a geographical and cultural region located primarily in western Asia.

Also known as "Middle East", a term with a Eurocentric perspective.
Originated in the 19th century, coined by Europeans based on their geographical orientation from Europe.

West Asia is sometimes considered to encompass nations outside its typical boundaries as illustrated:-
- Cyprus
- Egypt
Includes Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Notably, it does not include Turkey.

North:- Borders with the Black Sea, encompassing Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan.
East:- Neighbors include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan.
West:- Flanked by the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.
South:- Outlined by the Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.

Definition: Region on the westernmost part of West Asia bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
Countries in Levant:-
Syria
Lebanon
Jordan
Israel
Palestine

Land Area: 185,180 sq km.
Official Name: Syrian Arab Republic.
Capital: Damascus.
Geography:-
- Located facing the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
Climate Impacts:-
- Continental impact due to the Mediterranean coastline provides a warm climate.
Annual Rainfall:-
- Coast: 365-1,365 mm/year.
- Mountains: 500-1,820 mm/year.
- Steppe regions: 50-600 mm/year.
- Desert regions: 20-370 mm/year.
Agricultural Viability:-
- Adequate rainfall fosters crop cultivation without irrigation, especially along the coast.
Main Crops Grown:-
- Wheat, Cotton, Olives, Citrus fruits (Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit).
Geographical Features:-
- Euphrates River, flowing in the eastern part, provides 85% of Syria's freshwater needs, crucial for drinking, agriculture, and animal husbandry, especially in arid eastern Syria.
Natural Resources:-
- Petroleum discovered in commercial quantities in 1956 forms the leading natural resource and chief export post-1974.
Borders and Conflicts:-
- Shares a border with Israel, suggesting vulnerability to attacks, particularly due to the loss of Golan Heights during the 1967 war.

Land Area: 10,452 sq km.
Official Name: Lebanese Republic.
Capital: Beirut.
Geography:-
- Coastline facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Climate:-
- Moderate Mediterranean climate, cooler winters and hot, humid summers.
Annual Rainfall:-
- Receives adequate rainfall (around 2,000 mm/year), facilitating agriculture.
Principal Crops:-
- Olives, Figs, Tobacco, Grapes, Lemons, and Oranges.
Lebanon Mountains:-
- Length: approximately 170 km (110 mi), elevation roughly 2,500 m (8,200 ft).
- Source of Cedrus libani (Lebanon cedar trees) important historically (used in Temple of Solomon).
Water Resources:-
- Groundwater is the principal source, accounting for 50% of daily use, supplemented by methods like desalination and wastewater reuse to meet agricultural and drinking needs.
Refugee Crisis:-
- Significant influx of Arab refugees from Palestine due to the establishment of the State of Israel, leading to demographic shifts.

Land Area: 89,342 sq km.
Official Name: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Capital: Amman.
Geography:-
- Predominantly large arid region in the east, with major cities located in fertile north-west.
Jordan River:-
- Length: 251 km; flows north to south through the Sea of Galilee before draining into the Dead Sea.
Significance of Water Resource:-
- Shares political significance among five nations: Israel, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, causing potential conflicts over rights and availability.
Climate:-
- Mediterranean climate in narrow areas facing the sea, otherwise arid conditions.
Natural Resources:-
- Includes natural gas discovered in 1987.
Environmental Potential:-
- Receives approximately 330 days of sunshine yearly, making it suitable for solar energy generation through power plants like Shams Ma'an and Quweira.
- Wind speeds exceeding 7 miles in the mountains lead to potential wind power generation via Tawila Wind Farm.
Historicity in Conflicts:-
- Engaged in wars with Israel, notably losing West Bank territory during the 1967 war.

Land Area: 22,072 sq km.
Official Name: State of Israel.
Capital: Jerusalem.
Geography:-
- Landscape features desert regions (Negev Desert) and Mediterranean coast.
Climate:-
- Warm Mediterranean climate promoting agricultural settlements.
Kibbutz System:-
- Cooperative agricultural community system producing crops like oranges, lemons, and avocados for various markets.
Natural Resources:-
- Sea of Galilee noted as the largest freshwater source, critical for the national water supply.
Significance As State:-
- Established as a Jewish state from historically Arab land, resulting in persistent conflict with neighboring states.
Military Engagements:-
- Key conflicts with Arab states throughout late 20th century (Six Day War in 1967, Yom Kippur War in 1973).
- Israel's gaining of territories (Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights among others) during these conflicts has led to enduring geopolitical instability.

Land Area: 365 sq km.
Official Name: State of Palestine.
Capital: Jerusalem (Administrative Center: Ramallah).
Territorial Division:-
- Composed of Gaza Strip and West Bank, facing isolation from one another due to geographic division by Israeli territories.
Climatic Conditions:-
- Gaza characterized by hot semi-arid climate, impacting agricultural capabilities.
Conclusion on Land Loss:-
- Significant land loss following the partition of Palestine has led to current territorial limitations and concerns about autonomy.

Countries include:-
- Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait.

Land Area: 2,149,690 sq km.
Official Name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Capital: Riyadh.
Geography:-
- In the heart of the Arab world, predominantly desert landscape.
Oil and Natural Resources:-
- Rich in oil resources, contributing to economic power and necessitating foreign labor during the oil boom of the 1950s.
Economic Dependencies:-
- Heavy reliance on oil wealth and export for national revenue.

Environmental Degradation:-
- Principal causes stem from wars and conflicts with implications for ecological health and stability.
Water Scarcity:-
- Limited freshwater resources compounded by growing needs for regional populations lead to water stress.
Transboundary Water Conflicts:-
- Strained relations arising from river flow management; significant issues with Tigris-Euphrates system due to upstream foreign projects.

Arab-Israeli Wars:-
- Rooted in the establishment of Israel and subsequent territorial disputes leading to multiple conflicts.-
- Key wars: 1948, 1967, 1973 conflicts with significant territorial changes and human demographic shifts.
- Ongoing issues related to Palestinian self-determination and continuing geopolitical instability.

Ongoing damage through warfare has resulted in significant health hazards due to warfare-induced debris, including the risks associated with munitions and contaminated water sources.
Infrastructure and resource degradation poses challenges for recovery and human health long-term.