It chiefly consists of the countries like Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Much of the Southwest Asia is covered with sandy and rocky deserts. On the vast Arabian Peninsula which covers an area almost the size of India-narrow, sandy plains along the Red Sea and the south-coast rise to dry mountains. In the centre is a vast high plateau that slopes gently down to the flat shores of the Gulf. The mountainous area of Iran experience frequent earthquakes.

• The ‘Wadis‘, a type of valley and riverbeds are found in Saudi Arabian desert. Usually they are dry, but after heavy rains, they are briefly filled by fast flowing rivers.
• The Syrian desert extends from the Jordon Valley in the west to the fertile plains of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the East. It is mainly a rocky desert, as the sand has been swept away by winds and occasional heavy rainstorms.
• Oases are areas within a desert where water is available for plants and human use. They are usually formed when a fault, or split in the rock allows water to come to surface. The Dead Sea is the large lake on the border between Israel and Jordon.
• It is the lowest point on the earth’s surface. Its shores lie 392 m below sea level. It is also the world’s saltiest body of the water and can support no life forms.
• The Rub-al-khali desert, also known as ‘Empty Quarter’ is the largest uninterrupted stretch of sand on Earth. It covers some 650,000 sq.km. and is one of the world’s driest and mosthostile deserts. The Iranian plateau in Central Iran is a vast semi-arid plateau, which rises steeply from the coastal lowlands bordering the gulf. It is ringed by high Zagros and Elburz mountains.

Climate

Most of the regions receive very little rainfall, apart from a few isolated pockets. During July, temperature soars, but in January temperature is much cooler, especially in the north.

Population

The desert has kept much of the population clustered along the coastal area. Most people live in the cities, some of them are the fastest growing in the world. Oman and Yemen have mainly rural populations, and in Saudi Arabia, small groups of Bedouin tribe people roam the desert with their animals.

Industry

The Oil and Natural Gas continue to be the main source of income for many of the countries here, although other industries are being developed to support their economies when these resources run out. Iran is famous for its carpet, which are woven from wool or silk.

Farming and Land Uses

The best farmland is found along the Mediterranean coast, and in the fertile valley of the Tigris, Euphrates and Jordon river. Wheat is the main cereal crops, and cotton, dates, citrus and orchard fruits are grown for export. Elsewhere, modern irrigation techniques have created patches of fertile land in desert. Dates, wheat and coffee are cultivated in the oases and along the gulf coast.

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