Chapter 17: the Northeast
Physical Geography of the Northeast
Landforms
• The Northeast is a mountainous area where several
tectonic plates converge.
• Many fault lines run through the subregion, including
the North Anatolian Fault, one of the most active
producers of earthquakes in the world.
• The continents of Europe and Asia meet in the
Anatolian Peninsula, (Turkey), which is surrounded
by the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and the Taurus
Mountains.
Physical Geography of the Northeast
Water Systems
• The Turkish Straits link the Aegean and Black
Seas, marking the border between Asia and Europe.
• Control of this waterway is of vital military and
commercial importance.
• Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers in present-day Iraq, is the site of
the world’s earliest civilizations.
• The Caspian Sea in Iran serves as a key
transportation link to Asia.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #1
Turkey was once the center of the
Ottoman Empire. The leader Atatürk
(1923-1938), removed all aspects of
Ottoman culture from Turkey. Why do
you think he felt that was necessary?
Physical Geography of the Northeast
Climate, Biomes, & Resources
• Turkey has a Mediterranean climate along the coast,
while its interior features a semi-arid steppe climate
with drier conditions.
• Iran experiences similar conditions along the Caspian
Sea, with a semi-arid steppe climate found inland.
• Apart from the coasts, deserts cover much of the
Northeast.
• Fossil fuels are among the most significant resources
in the area.
Human Geography of the Northeast
History & Government
• The rich alluvial soils of Mesopotamia supported the
development of agriculture, enabling it to become a
culture hearth, or a center where rich cultures
develop and spread to other areas.
• The Persian qanat, or underground canals used for
irrigation, and cuneiform, a form of early writing
invented by the Sumerians, show the achievements of
early civilizations.
• Turkey is working toward membership in the EU,
while Iraq and Iran have struggled with political
turmoil in recent decades.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #2
Mesopotamia was one of world’s most
important culture hearths. Name three
culture hearths in the Western
Hemisphere. What makes them
important?
Human Geography of the Northeast
Population Patterns
• While Islam is the dominant religion and significantly
influences the culture, the population is ethnically
diverse.
• Major ethnic groups include Turks, Iranians, Arabs,
and Kurds.
• The Kurds are an ethnic group without an official
country, although they call the area in which they live
Kurdistan.
• Countries in the subregion are increasingly urban,
with overcrowding common in cities.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #3
The Kurds are an ancient ethnic group
that now make-up a large, stateless
nation. Why do you believe they have
been so mistreated by Turkey, Syria,
Iran and Iraq?
Human Geography of the Northeast
Society & Culture Today
• Languages and customs differ depending on
ancestral homes.
• Family life includes the extended family.
• In more secular societies such as Iraq, women and
men have equal rights under the law, while women’s
rights have been curtailed in Iran.
• Early civilizations created important pieces of art and
architecture, with Iran still the epicenter for the
production of world-famous Persian rugs.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #4
Countries with strict Muslim
governments, like Iran and Saudi
Arabia, deny women equal rights. Why
do you think that is the case?
Human Geography of the Northeast
Economic Activities
• Oil is a major economic resource in Iran and Iraq,
allowing them to exert considerable influence in global
affairs.
• Natural gas, fishing, and agriculture also play
important roles in the subregion’s economy.
• Interdependence and trade are necessary in the
area, as the countries of the Northeast need industrial
products for their own markets, while industrialized
countries need oil.
People and Their Environment: the Northeast
Managing Resources
• Massive projects along the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers threaten the water quality and ecology of the
rivers.
• The draining of marshes in southern Iraq have
destroyed animal habitats and forced people to relocate.
• Drought conditions have worsened in the subregion,
destroying wetlands in Iran and increasing problems in
areas where water has been diverted for irrigation
projects.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #5
The Tigris and Euphrates have
sustained various civilizations for
thousands of years. How have these
great rivers suffered due to overuse?
People and Their Environment: the Northeast
Human Impact
• War has negatively affected the environment by causing
pollution from oil well fires and oil spills.
• Agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and extraction of
oil and gas reserves threaten the health of the Caspian
Sea.
• Severe air pollution, increasing salinity in soils, and
deforestation add to the serious environmental
problems facing the subregion.
People and Their Environment: the Northeast
Addressing the Issues
• As Turkey attempts to qualify to join the European
Union, it has strengthened its environmental laws to
meet EU standards.
• Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been
working on solutions to conserve and monitor, or closely
watch, the wetlands.
• Iran has been raising concerns about pollution in the
Caspian Sea.
• More work is needed to reduce severe air and water
pollution.
Ch. 17 Reflection Question #6
How has Turkey’s desire to join the
European Union benefited its
environment?