Tough terrain also puts an impact on many things in the Middle East like travel and trade. Obstacles such as the Arabian Desert in Saudi Arabia and the mountains in Iran and Afghanistan make it difficult for travel and trade.
Kuwait City Skyline
Oil rich countries have gained lots of wealth and power in Southwest Asia. Countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have oil, so they have wealth. Countries such as Afghanistan and Syria do not, so they are not as wealthy and developed.
An Arab man sits in a dried up Euphrates River riverbed.
SS7G7 The student will explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, Distribution of natural resources and population distribution on Southwest Asia (Middle East). a. Explain how the distribution of oil has affected the development of Southwest Asia (Middle East).
Much of the Middle East has been severely impacted on the location, climate, and physical characteristics. The Middle East is relatively close to the equator, so it can get pretty hot. Water is VERY scarce in much of the Middle East and countries like Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.