Modern Middle East Location Gaza Strip densely populated few natural resources small piece of coastal land beside Israel crowded The majority of Gaza's residents are refugees who fled or were expelled in 1948 from the land that became Israel, or their descendants. Most Gazans live in eight refugee camps to which the United Nations delivers health, education and other humanitarian services. Some refugee camps lack basic amenities. Gaza City is the Strip's main administrative and commercial hub. Militant groups control the streets in much of the Gaza Strip Despite Gaza's isolation, Despite Gaza's isolation, militants have continued to attack Israeli interests from the Strip since the 2005 pull-out. The main vehicle of resistance, as the militants describe it, is the firing of short-range homemade rockets which can reach nearby Israeli population centres, such as Sderot, less than a kilometre from Gaza's north-east corner. These have caused a handful of deaths and injuries, but severe disruption for Israelis living within range. Israeli shelling and rocket attacks, meanwhile, which Israel says are meant to stop the rocket fire, have killed dozens of Gazans, including many civilians. Golan Heights beside Israel hilly area on Syrian border A farm on Golan Heights near Katzrin. The Middle East, August 18, 2000 A lookout at western shore of Lake Kinneret near En Gev. The Middle East, August 18, 2000 Banias Waterfall on Hermon River in Banias Park. Golan Heights, the Middle East, April 7, 2001 Cableway to Mount Hermon in Golan Heights. The Middle East. February 19, 2000 View Looking Toward Syria Jordan poor country limited resources produces phosphates, cement, potash tourism & banking important depends on economic aid from oil-rich Arab nations & US You cant sink in the Dead Sea. Mud from the Dead Sea is supposed to be good for your health. Jordanian Farmers raise fruits & vegetables in the Jordan River valley using irrigation. Some highland areas receive enough winter rainfall to grow grains. Jordanian Farmers Raising sheep & goats is an important source of income. However, overgrazing has caused soil erosion. Jordanian Farmers A crucial resource issue for Jordan is its shortage of water. Thousands of acres of agricultural land in the Kingdom of Jordan are fed by Zarqa River's polluted waters. Saudi Arabia Fresh water is scarce. Desalination plants remove salt from seawater, so water can irrigate crops. Oil money pays for this expensive process. Country still imports much food. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in water desalination facilities, such as this one at Jubail. The Shuaiba is now one of nearly 30 desalination plants in the country. Saudi Arabia Has worlds largest oil reserves Worlds leading exporter of oil A leader of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) OPEC members influence price of oil on world markets. Oil industry has damaged Saudi Arabias environment. Leaks from pipelines and ships have spilled millions of gallons of oil into the sea. Oil refineries release chemicals into the air. Saudi Arabia is looking for ways to fight pollution without reducing oil exports. Iran 5 th largest oil reserves in world Member of OPEC They have construction, food processing, & production of beautiful woven carpets 1/3 of workforce is employed in agriculture. View slide show of seldom seen pictures Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan Water is crucial. Many desert regions visited by nomads and animal herds Springs or wells provide water in many places. Sometimes nomads get water by digging shallow wells into wadis. Wadis are dry streambeds. Deep underground wells can be built with technology. This water is often fossil water. Fossil water will not be replaced by rainfall, & these wells eventually run dry. Water tower in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Oil Refinery in Saudi Arabia Road Sign in Saudi Arabia Besides water, oil is most important mineral resource. Most oilfields are near shores of Persian Gulf. Oil only resource in this region Only Iran has deposits of many metals. The carpet was woven with cotton and wool from both Iran and New Zealand (as big as a football field)
