1.1 Geographic regions and their political significance

The Middle East's geography shapes its politics and conflicts. From the Levant to the Arabian Peninsula, diverse landscapes and scarce resources like water fuel tensions. Natural barriers and ethnic diversity contribute to boundary disputes and regional conflicts.

Strategic features like the Suez Canal and Strait of Hormuz give countries leverage in global trade. Oil wealth drives economic power, while water scarcity causes political tensions. These geographic factors continue to influence Middle Eastern politics and international relations.

Geographic Regions and Physical Features

Geographic regions of Middle East

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• Mashriq (The Levant) encompasses Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, and Iraq, featuring a Mediterranean climate and diverse landscapes such as coastal plains, mountains, and deserts
• Maghreb (North Africa) includes Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, characterized by the Atlas Mountains, Mediterranean coastline, and the expansive Sahara Desert
• Arabian Peninsula is composed of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, dominated by vast deserts, sparse vegetation, and scarce freshwater resources
• Anatolia (Asia Minor) primarily consists of modern-day Turkey, showcasing a varied landscape with mountains, plateaus, and coastal plains
• Iranian Plateau covers Iran and parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia, exhibiting a semi-arid climate, mountain ranges, and desert basins

Geography's influence on political boundaries

• Vast desert regions (Sahara, Arabian Desert) have historically acted as natural barriers between states, but the lack of clear geographic features has led to boundary disputes
• Water scarcity has fueled tensions and conflicts between countries, particularly over shared river systems (Nile, Tigris, Euphrates), with control and distribution of water resources becoming a critical political issue
• The region's complex geography, with diverse ethnic and religious groups spread across multiple countries, has contributed to territorial disputes and conflicts (Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Kurdish question, Golan Heights)

Strategic Geographic Features and Resources

Strategic importance of geographic features

• Suez Canal provides a vital shipping route connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, allowing ships to bypass the lengthy and perilous journey around Africa's southern tip, granting Egypt political leverage and economic benefits through its control of the canal
• Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, serving as a critical chokepoint for global oil trade with a significant portion of the world's oil supply passing through, giving Iran influence over the flow of oil and causing tension with other countries due to its strategic location

Impact of natural resources

• Oil reserves in the Middle East are substantial, making the region strategically crucial for global energy markets, with oil wealth contributing to the economic and political power of countries (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Gulf states), while control and distribution of oil revenues have caused internal political tensions and international conflicts
• Water scarcity poses a significant challenge in the Middle East due to limited freshwater resources and growing populations, with control and distribution of water resources (Jordan River, Tigris-Euphrates river system) causing political tensions and conflicts between countries, making water security an increasingly important political issue as countries seek to secure adequate water supplies for their populations and agricultural needs