Minerals of the countries of Southwest Asia. Natural resources of foreign Asia. General Characteristics of Farms in Southwest Asia

Farming, especially rural, will depend on the natural conditions of the territory. And the conditions of Asia are distinguished by great diversity and contrasts. The highest mountain ranges with steep slopes coexist with lowlands and the monotony of their flat relief. Large contrasts are also characteristic of the climate, especially for moisture. The low-lying areas are well supplied with moisture, because they are located in the monsoon climate - these are the eastern and southern parts of the region.

The western part of Foreign Asia lies in the region of the Mediterranean climate. $90\%$ of all arable land is concentrated in these parts of Asia. The central and southwestern parts are arid. The Asian part of the world lies in several climatic zones. The south of the territory lies in tropical latitudes and receives $2$ times more total solar radiation than the northern regions. Summer and winter temperatures on the islands of Indonesia are almost the same, the average January temperature is +$25$ degrees, and the north of Manchuria, for example, has a January temperature of -$24$, -$28$ degrees. Yes, the cold weather is long there. Significant climatic differences are also characteristic of mountainous regions and even within the mountainous territories themselves. This is due to the height of the mountains, their position, the exposure of the slopes. The circulation of the atmosphere has a very pronounced effect on the climate of East and South Asia, where the seasonal change of air masses is clearly expressed.

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Winters in these areas are characterized by the winter monsoon, while the summer monsoon operates in summer. All of East Asia, Hindustan and Indochina are in the monsoon circulation zone, where annual precipitation can reach $2000$ mm per year. Associated with the winter monsoon are cold continental air masses that cause cooling in East Asia and partly in the tropics of Northern Indochina.

In the southern part of Asia, winter cooling does not occur, because the territory is under the influence of the Indian monsoon, which has smaller baric gradients. On the other hand, India is closed in the north by the highest mountain ranges from the cold air masses of Central Asia. The interior regions of Asia, located at high altitudes and surrounded by mountains, have a sharply continental climate.

In winter, the Asian anticyclone dominates here and a severe and long winter sets in. At low temperatures, the soil freezes deeply, which leads to the formation of permafrost areas. In summer, the territory warms up well and an area of ​​low atmospheric pressure is formed. The weather is hot and dry. Precipitation is very small, high mountain ranges prevent their penetration. In closed basins, only up to $50$ mm falls out. But even this inland region has its own internal climatic differences. The reason for this lies in the different availability of thermal resources and thermal regime.

An exceptionally hot region is Southwest Asia. It receives the largest amount of solar radiation, therefore it is the driest part of the mainland. Deserts and semi-deserts are common here.

Remark 1

For the development of agriculture, a significant part of Asia Abroad has unfavorable climatic conditions. The equatorial regions are highly humid, while the vast plateaus and plains of Southwestern and Central Asia are too dry. Agriculture in these areas is possible only with land reclamation.

The location of agricultural production, the composition of cultivated plants, the peculiarities of farming methods, and the productivity of crops largely depend on climatic conditions. The level of agricultural development in the countries of Foreign Asia is relatively low, so the yield is highly dependent on weather conditions. Based on climatic features, several agro-climatic regions are distinguished in foreign Asia.

Mineral resources of Foreign Asia

The surface of Foreign Asia is represented by vast mountainous territories and lowlands, the areas of which are small. Low-lying areas are located on the outskirts of Asia - these are the eastern and southern coasts. Mineral deposits are associated with the relief and with the main tectonic regions, with which the bowels of Foreign Asia are rich. In terms of reserves of fuel and energy raw materials, Asia occupies a leading position in the world.

These are, first of all, huge deposits of coal, oil and gas. The bowels of this part of the world contain world reserves of tin, antimony, mercury, graphite, sulfur, muscovite, zirconium, phosphate raw materials, potassium salts, chromites, tungsten. True, from a geographical point of view, these resources are distributed unevenly. Coal, iron and manganese ores, non-metallic minerals were formed within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. There is a copper belt along the Pacific coast. In the Alpine-Himalayan folded region, ores are predominant.

A decisive role in the international geographical division of labor in Asia is played by oil and gas reserves, which are the main wealth of the region. The main hydrocarbon deposits are concentrated in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Large oil fields have been discovered in the countries of the Malay Archipelago - Indonesia, Malaysia. There is oil and gas in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. The Dead Sea is known for its large salt reserves, and the Iranian Highlands for sulfur and non-ferrous metals.

Of all Asian countries, the greatest diversity and reserves of minerals are concentrated on the territory of the following states:

1. India;
2. Indonesia;
3. Iran;
4. Kazakhstan;
5. Turkey;
6. Saudi Arabia.

Remark 2

Those mineral deposits that are well known today do not reflect the true picture of the richness of the subsoil of this region. The ongoing prospecting works open up new deposits of mineral raw materials. In terms of hydrocarbon production, offshore zones are becoming promising, which provide the extractive industry with new opportunities.

Different subregions of Asia have their own set of minerals.

Western Asia. Here, first of all, the largest oil and gas fields are concentrated, in terms of reserves of which Western Asia is a leader among other regions of the world. According to $1980 data, there are $43 billion tons of oil in this area and more than $20 trillion. cube m of gas. Coal reserves are more than $23 billion tons. The reserves of ferrous metal ores amount to $14 billion tons and they are located on the territory of Turkey and Iraq. Reserves of titanium ores in Saudi Arabia and chromium ores in Turkey and Iran, Afghanistan and Oman. Non-metallic building materials are represented by gypsum, the reserves of which amount to $3 billion tons. In some countries of the region there are deposits of precious and ornamental stones, for example, Iranian turquoise, Afghan lapis lazuli, ruby, emerald, rock crystal, aquamarine, marble onyx.

South Asia. She holds a leading position in the reserves of muscovite, barite, titanium, pyrite, beryl, graphite, iron, manganese ores. This part also has significant reserves of oil and gas, as well as gold, copper, nickel, and tungsten ores. The most important energy raw material for South Asia is hard coal, whose reserves are estimated at $115 billion tons. The total iron ore reserves are over $13.5 billion tons. They are concentrated in India, Pakistan. There are small reserves in Sri Lanka and Nepal. The extraction of manganese ores has long been going on in India. There are aluminum and nickel ores in this region. Here is about $30\%$ of the total reserves of mining and chemical raw materials - India, Pakistan, Nepal. Non-metallic raw materials are represented by Indian asbestos - India, gypsum - Pakistan, graphite - Sri Lanka. There are quartz, building sands, dolomites, limestone and marble. Precious stones are only in India - diamonds.

Southeast Asia. In terms of tin reserves, the region ranks $1 in the world and has significant reserves of nickel, cobalt, tungsten, copper, antimony, and barite. In addition, there are oil, gas, bauxites, chromites and other mineral resources. Exploration for hydrocarbons is being carried out on the continental shelf. Of the $36$ promising basins, $25$ belong to Indonesia. Hard coals are also found in Indonesia and Vietnam. Ore minerals, the reserves of which amount to more than $1271 million tons, are found in Burma, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kampuchea. Of the ores of non-ferrous metals, aluminum and copper ores are known - Indonesia, Vietnam, Kampuchea.

Other types of resources of Foreign Asia

Foreign Asia is rich in its superficial waters, but water resources are unevenly distributed over the territory, and the availability decreases from the southeast to the northwest. Water resources are used, usually for irrigation, which helps to solve the problems associated with drought, soil salinization and wind blowing. In India, for example, $95\%$ of fresh water consumed goes to irrigation. Mountain rivers contain colossal reserves of hydropower, which is best provided in the humid tropics. Due to the economic backwardness of the mountainous regions, the hydro potential of the rivers is poorly used. For example, the hydro potential of the rivers of India and Pakistan is used by about $10\%$. Large Asian rivers have basins covering hundreds of thousands of square kilometers. They are among the most important types of natural resources.

Another type of resource is soil. The huge size, diverse relief and climate were the conditions for the formation of a complex soil cover. Podzolic, sulfur and brown forest soils have formed in the temperate climate zone. In the steppe regions - chernozem-like and chestnut soils. In the subtropics of the Mediterranean, brown soils are dominant, and in the monsoon regions, yellow and red soils. Peculiar tropical soils - regura or black soils formed on the Hindustan peninsula.

If speak about forest resources, foreign Asia is not rich in them. There is only $0.3$ ha of forest resources per capita, and the average world level is $1.2$ ha per person. Low availability of forest resources is typical for India, Pakistan, Lebanon, and Singapore. The south-east of the region is best provided with forest resources. Here, the areas of forest resources are not only large, but also accessible, which threatens their existence.

recreational the resources of the region began to be studied and used only in the second half of the $XX$ century. Attractive for tourists are the warm seas of Southwest Asia - Turkey and Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia.

From previous courses, geographers remember in which climatic zones Southwest Asia is located. What problems of development of these countries are connected with climatic conditions?

The mineral resources of the region are insufficiently explored. In addition to huge reserves of oil (66% of world reserves) and gas (26%), significant volumes of chromites (Turkey), Dead Sea mineral salts are released. 206 million people live in Southwest Asia. The population is growing rapidly due to high natural population growth. The countries of the region differ greatly in terms of population; 2/3 of the region's inhabitants are concentrated in Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.

The distribution of the population is also uneven. Its average density in one country does not exceed 100 persons/sq. km, while in desert regions it is less than 1 person/sq. km. The region is characterized by significant population migration. Peoples leading a nomadic way of life still live here. Israel's population is formed by immigrants. Many Palestinian Arabs are forced to leave their homeland, a significant number of foreign Muslim workers work in the oil fields. Many Turks work in Western Europe, especially in Germany.

Urbanization is generally low, with Afghanistan and Yemen among the lowest in the world. The urban population is growing rapidly, but individual cities predominate, agglomerations are just being formed (Istanbul, Tehran). The proportion of urban residents is especially high in small oil-producing countries; in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, it exceeds 90% of the population. Some cities arose in ancient times (Damascus, Baghdad, Beirut, Riyadh, etc.). It was in this region that the three main religions of the world were born: Judaism, Christianity, Islam. The cities of Jerusalem, Mecca, Medina are considered sacred, they are visited by many pilgrims every year.

The ethnic composition of the population is quite complex. The most homogeneous population of the Arabian Peninsula, which is based on the Arabs. Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Iraq are multinational countries. Along with Turks, Persians, Afghans (Pashtuns) and Arabs live national minorities: Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others. Ethnic and religious differences create serious political and economic difficulties in every country. I and phosphorites, potash salts (Jordan, Israel). characteristics of the economy of Southwest Asia

According to the level of economic development, the countries of Southwest Asia are of two types: Israel, Turkey and Cyprus are medium-developed countries, the rest of the states are developing countries. But these groups are also heterogeneous.

Israel is an industrial-agrarian country, the share of industry in GDP is 30%. The structure of industry is dominated by science-intensive industries: medical electronics, communications, computers. The metalworking, aviation, shipbuilding, electrical engineering, chemical, and diamond industries are also developing. The military industry has a high share in the economy.

The policy of the Cypriot leadership is aimed at turning the country into a commercial, financial and tourist center. The economy of this country is characterized by a high share of the service sector (47% of GDP). The leading industries are food, clothing, mining, building materials industry.

The basis of the economy of developing countries is agriculture, which is still backward and unproductive due to archaic agrarian relations. Constant droughts are a real disaster for the people of these countries. Irrigated land is plentiful, but irrigation systems are mostly primitive. The countries of Southwest Asia bring grain, butter, sugar, tea, and livestock products.

Agriculture is dominated by crop production. Its basis is consumer crops (wheat, corn, vegetables), cotton. Significant areas are occupied by vineyards and fruit plantations. The region occupies a leading position in the world in the production and export of raisins, dried fruits, almonds and dates.

Foreign Asia is the largest region in the world in terms of population and area, and retains its primacy since ancient times, the birth of the first civilizations. The total area of ​​the territory of Foreign Asia reaches 27.5 million km2. The region includes 40 sovereign states, many of which belong to the group of developing countries.

All the states of Foreign Asia are quite large in their area, two of them, China and India, have the status of giant countries. The borders that separate the states of Foreign Asia are established according to natural and historical boundaries.

The political structure of states is very diverse: in Japan, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal, Malaysia, Jordan, there are constitutional monarchies, in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman absolute monarchical regimes have been preserved, all other states have a republican form of government.

Natural conditions and resources

Foreign Asia has a fairly homogeneous tectonic structure and relief. The region has the largest amplitude of heights on the planet: mountain ensembles are combined with vast plains. The territory of Asia is located on the Precambrian platform, some areas on the Cenozoic folding.

Due to this geographical location, the states of Foreign Asia have many natural mineral resources. Rich reserves of coal, manganese and iron ores and other minerals are concentrated within the Hindustan and Chinese platforms.

The main wealth of the region is the gas and oil basins, which are located in most of the states of Southwest Asia. The agro-climatic characteristics of Asia hinder the development of agricultural activity.

Population

The population of Foreign Asia is more than 3 billion people. Many states are experiencing the process of the so-called "population explosion". The state policy of many countries is aimed at reducing the birth rate; in China and Japan, families with many children are forced to pay special taxes.

The ethnic composition of Foreign Asia is diverse: representatives of more than 1 thousand ethnic groups and nationalities live here, the most numerous peoples are the Chinese, Bengalis, Hindustanis and Japanese. Only Iran and Afghanistan are among the mono-ethnic countries.

The peoples of Asia belong to 15 language families and there is no such linguistic diversity in any region of the world. Foreign Asia is the cradle of all world religions; Christianity, Islam and Buddhism were born here. Shintoism, Confucianism and Taoism also occupy a leading place in the region.

Economy of Foreign Asia

In the last decade, the role of the states of Foreign Asia in the world economy has increased significantly. The level of economic development here is the most contrasting than in any other region of the world. Absolute leadership in the development of industry belongs to Japan.

This is the only state of Overseas Asia, which is included in the "big seven". Other industrial countries include China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. The economy of the Persian Gulf states is mainly focused on the oil industry.

Mining and metallurgy is well developed in Mongolia, Jordan, Vietnam and Afghanistan. In most states, the main share of EAN is occupied in agricultural production. The most popular crops are rice, tea, wheat and millet.

Section two

REGIONS AND COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

Topic 11. ASIA

1. SOUTHWEST ASIA

Geographical position. Southwest Asia is located at the crossroads of important world intercontinental routes (sea, air and land) that connect Europe with the countries of Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania.

Important links of sea routes in this subregion are the Suez Canal, the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles. Important international maritime communications are laid off the coast of the subregion: from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles to the Mediterranean Sea and further through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.

Political map. The modern political map of Southwest Asia began to take shape after World War II. In the pre-war period, almost all countries were colonies, only Iran and Turkey belonged to sovereign states. The struggle for strategically important territories in this sub-region was mainly fought by Great Britain and France.

The political map of Southwest Asia is characterized by heterogeneity of government. Eleven countries have chosen a republican form of government, monarchies are preserved in seven countries, including absolute monarchies in three. According to the administrative-territorial structure, the countries of Southwest Asia are unitary, and only the United Arab Emirates is a federal state.

The current political problems of Southwest Asia are a consequence of its colonial past. The state borders that were established during the colonial period give rise today to border conflicts, armed clashes and wars.

The key problem of the subregion is the Arab-Israeli conflict associated with the occupation of Arab territories by Israel - the western bank of the Jordan River (5.5 thousand km 2) and the Gaza Strip (365 km 2). Back in 1947, according to the decision of the UN General Assembly, Palestine, a former colony of Great Britain, was divided into two states: the state of Israel with an area of ​​14.1 thousand km 2 and the Arab Palestinian state with an area of ​​11.1 thousand km 2. However, in 1948, Israel violated the UN decision and seized most of the territory of the Arab state.

There is no unity among the Arab states either. Iraq's aggressive policy, for example, led to a war, first with Iran, then with Kuwait.

Serious problems arise on religious grounds, for example, between Christians and Muslims among the Arabs of Lebanon, between supporters of different directions of Islam (Sunnis and Shiites). An unresolved issue between the Turkish and Greek communities in Cyprus. Until that time, the Kurds, who number 21.3 million people in the subregion, do not have their own independent state (Fig. 26).

Natural resource potential. For the development of the economy of the countries of Southwest Asia, the natural resource potential (NRP) is very important. The economy in most countries retains a pronounced raw materials and agrarian specialization.

Large areas are dominated by mountainous terrain. The northern part of the subregion is occupied by the mountain systems of the Lesser and Greater Caucasus and the Central Asian highlands (Asia Minor, Armenian, Iranian), which in the south are replaced by the plains of the Arabian Peninsula. Compared to the vast mountainous areas, the areas of the lowlands are relatively small. Basically, they occupy a narrow strip along the coast of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. The Mesopotamian lowland, the largest in the subregion, occupies a large piedmont trough at the edge of the Alpine-Himalayan geosynclinal belt.

A small amount of precipitation, high temperatures, combined with dry winds create extremely unfavorable conditions for the economic development of the region. The mountainous territories and deserts are practically uninhabited and undeveloped, while the lowlands have a high concentration of population and economy.

Minerals. The main wealth of the countries of Southwest Asia is oil. Its main reserves are concentrated within the vast oil and gas basin of the Persian Gulf, which stretches for more than 2,500 km. from the foothills of the Eastern Kleimu to the Arabian Sea. It occupies the foothills of the Zagros, Mesopotamia, the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf. Most of the oil fields lie at a depth of 1800-3000 m. About 200 oil fields are known in the Persian Gulf basin, including 12 so-called supergiants with actual oil reserves of more than 1 billion tons each. Saudi Arabia is home to the world's largest oil field, Gsawar. Its reserves are 11.9 billion tons. The second major deposit is Burgan-Ahmadi-Magwa, which occupies the east coast of Kuwait. Its reserves are estimated at 8.5 billion tons.

At the end of the 1990s, oil reserves in the subregion were estimated at 100 billion tons and accounted for 65% of the world's liquid fuel reserves. Oil has been found in 13 countries of Southwest Asia. Five countries account for 92% of all reserves: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, UAE, Iran. The largest reserves are in Saudi Arabia - almost half of all reserves in the subregion.

The potential resources of the Persian Gulf basin have not yet been precisely determined. Its prospects are associated with oil exploration on the shelf of the Persian Gulf.

Natural gas reserves in the countries of Southwest Asia in the late 90s were estimated at 34 trillion. m 3, which is a quarter of the world's reserves.

Natural gas deposits are found in the same areas as oil fields. Its largest deposits are North Field (Qatar) and Kangan and Pars (Iran). Over 90% of all natural gas reserves of the subregion are concentrated in four countries - Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, of which more than half is in Iran.

The largest reserves in the world include reserves of other minerals: chromites (Turkey), potassium salts (Jordan, Israel), phosphorites (Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia).

Climatic resources affect the location of agricultural production, the sectoral structure of crop production, farming methods and crop productivity. Throughout the subregion, two crops can be harvested, and in the tropics - three crops per year, subject to artificial irrigation.

Significant areas of the Western Asian Highlands are dominated by a subtropical and tropical continental climate. The continentality of the climate increases with distance from the seas to the interior. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are cool. The average temperatures in July range from 25° in the north to 29° in the south, and in January - 20° and 10°, respectively.

Most precipitation is in the East Anatolian Highlands - up to 700 mm. There is little precipitation in the rest of the territory, their annual amount varies from 50 to 300 mm. Particularly arid are the central and southern parts of the Iranian Highlands.

Within the arid Southwest Asia, the Mesopotamian lowland stands out with favorable climatic conditions. Average temperatures in July are +33°...+34°, and in January - +10°...+12°.

The whole of Mesopotamia is characterized by a large arid climate. The annual rainfall does not exceed 200 mm. Precipitation falls mainly in winter. In a large area of ​​Mesopotamia, agriculture can develop only with artificial irrigation.

A zone of dry steppes stretched from the north and west of Mesopotamia. This area has significant agro-climatic potential. Summers are hot and winters are warm. Average temperatures in July are +30°...+35°, and in January - +7°...+8: The annual precipitation ranges from 300 to 600 mm. This territory has long served the population as a granary is important.

The coastal lowlands are marked by the most humid climate, where agriculture is impossible without artificial irrigation. Summers are hot with average July temperatures of +22°...+24°, winters are warm - +5°...+7°. The most humid climate is on the Black Sea coast, where up to 3000 mm of precipitation falls per year.

Arabia is located in the tropical climate zone and receives the largest amount of solar radiation in Asia. Average summer temperatures reach 30°, and the sum of active temperatures is 9000-10000° and ensures the development of the most heat-loving tropical crops. The annual amount of precipitation is 100 mm or less, sometimes reaching 150 mm.

Due to the lack of moisture in Arabia, irrigated agriculture is developing in small areas. There are no continuous agricultural areas.

Water resources are a super scarce resource in the countries of Southwest Asia. The subregion is experiencing an acute shortage of fresh water. In particular, in Saudi Arabia there are 4,000 people per 1 million m 3 of water, while in European countries - 350 people.

The subregion is poor in surface water. Most of the rivers are shallow and have a temporary flow. The largest of them: Tigris and Euphrates. The water supply and irrigation of land in the arid regions of Turkey, Syria and Iraq is very dependent on these rivers.

Turkey has the most dense river network in the subregion. Its rivers are not navigable, but they are important as sources of hydropower.

The river network in Arabia is formed by temporary streams - wadis, which are full-flowing only during the rainy season. In summer they dry up or become shallow. Only the city of Jordan has a constant flow. This river satisfies the needs of four Arab countries - Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. The political situation in the subregion makes it impossible to coordinate the use of water resources.

The lakes are mostly endorheic, highly saline. Many of them dry up completely in the summer. The largest lakes are the Dead Sea, Rezaye, Van.

With a lack of surface sources of fresh water in the subregion, groundwater is widely used, which is extracted using underground channels (ropes), and those that lie close to the surface - wells. Where groundwater comes to the surface in the form of various sources, oases are formed.

Until recently, fresh water was delivered to the countries of the Persian Gulf by ships from Iraq and India. Now non-traditional methods of obtaining fresh water are widely used here. In the second half of the XX century. in the subregion, a special industry for seawater desalination has been established. In this area, the countries of the subregion occupy the positions of world leaders.

At the same time, other methods of developing water resources are being used in the subregion. For example, in the capital of Saudi Arabia, fresh water is produced using wells with a depth of 1200 _ 1500 m. Other non-traditional methods for obtaining clean water (wastewater treatment, reuse of water for irrigation) have not yet reached industrial scale.

Turkey may become the largest potential supplier of water in the Middle East. At the end of the 1980s, the government of the country put forward a project to build the Water Pipeline of Peace "in eight Arab countries. The project can satisfy the water needs of about 30 million people. However, the implementation of these plans is impossible without peace and stability in the subregion.

Soil resources. Southwest Asia is poor in soil suitable for agriculture. The most fertile soils are confined to the Mesopotamian and coastal lowlands. The characteristic soils of Lower Mesopotamia are alluvial. In Upper Mesopotamia, steppe gray soils and chestnut soils are common, which, when artificial irrigation is used, give high yields. In the foothills of Mesopotamia, brown, red-brown and chestnut soils are common, and chernozems are found in the intermountain basins. These soils are non-saline.

In significant areas of the subregion, unproductive soils - serozems - predominate. The soil cover of the sandy and rocky deserts of Arabia is represented by primitive soils that are poor in humus and highly saline.

Land resources. About 2/3 of the territory of the subregion is non-agricultural land. The share of cultivated land is only 15.8%. With the exception of Iraq, significant land resources are found in countries without oil. Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria and Yemen have the largest areas of cultivated land. The share of cultivated land in these countries ranges from 30 to 35%.

Pastures and meadows occupy 14.9% of the territory. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Syria, where livestock plays an important role, have the largest areas of these lands.

In general, natural conditions for agricultural use of the territory of the subregion are unfavorable.

Forest resources.Southwest Asia is poor in forest resources. The share of areas occupied by forests is almost six times lower than the world level and is 5.5%. The most "treeless" region is the countries of the Middle East. Almost "treeless" - Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE. Less than 1% forest cover in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan. Forest lands are small in Iraq, Israel, Syria. The highest level of forest cover is in Turkey, where almost a third of the territory is covered with forests.

population.The population of Southwest Asia almost entirely belongs to the southern branch of the Caucasoid race. An insignificant part of the population is characterized by admixtures of Mongoloid, Negroid and Australoid racial elements.

The ethnic composition of the population is very diverse. Ethnographers distinguish about 60 large peoples on the territory of the subregion. A significant part of the population belongs to three large language groups: Iranian, Semitic and Turkic. The population is dominated by the peoples of the Iranian language group, which make up 40% of the inhabitants of Southwest Asia. The Iranian language group includes Persians, Tajiks, Kurds, etc. The Semitic language group includes a third of the inhabitants of the subregion, mostly Arabs. Jews also belong to the Semites.

About a quarter of the population of the subregion belongs to the Turkic language group, among which Turks and Azerbaijanis dominate. Among the peoples of other language groups, Greeks, Armenians, and Georgians predominate.

The multinational countries include: Turkey, Iran, Iraq. Along with Turks, Persians and Arabs, national minorities live here: Kurds, Azerbaijanis, Uzbeks, etc.

The population of Southwest Asia is extremely unevenly distributed. The average population density is 49.7 people / km 2. This figure ranges from 6 people/km2 in Oman to 763 people/km2 in Bahrain. Almost uninhabited large areas of deserts and part of mountainous regions, where the population density is less than 1 person / km 2. The highest population density is on the coasts of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas, in the Tigris and Euphrates valleys, in desert oases. 90% of the population lives in this area.

The demographic situation is marked by a high birth rate - more than 28 births per 1000 inhabitants per year, while the same indicator in Asia is 22 births (2001). The highest birth rates are in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula. The maximum value of this indicator is observed in Yemen - 44, and the minimum - in Georgia - 9. The mortality rate is one of the smallest in Asia - 7 people per 1,000 inhabitants. Its value ranges from 11 people in Yemen to 2 people in Qatar, UAE, Kuwait.

Although the average life expectancy in the countries of Southwest Asia has increased over the past decades, amounting to 67 years, it still does not reach the level of economically developed countries (73 years), but it is two years more than in Asia as a whole. The highest average life expectancy in Israel and Cyprus is 77 years, and the lowest in Yemen is 59 years. In all countries of Southwest Asia, women live four years longer than men.

Population growth rates in the countries of Southwest Asia tend to increase further. Rapid population growth could jeopardize today's resource and service levels and bring many economic problems. According to UN forecasts, the population in the subregion will grow from 193 million people. in 2001 to 329 million people in 2025

The population growth rate in Southwest Asia is the highest in Asia at 2.8% per year. The highest population growth rates are observed in agricultural countries - from 3.5-4.5% per year. The maximum population growth is typical for Jordan and Saudi Arabia - 4.9% per year. Only Israel and Turkey differ in average population growth rates - 2.3% per year. The lowest population growth rates are observed in five countries of the subregion - Cyprus, Lebanon, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and range from 1.5 to 1% per year.

High natural population growth predetermines the young age structure of the population. In Southwest Asia, half of the population is under 20 years old, which creates a number of problems: increased demand for education, employment, housing construction.

The gender structure of the population is dominated by men - 51.7%. The position of women in the society of most countries is unequal.

The countries of Southwest Asia are characterized by rather significant population migration. In the oil-producing countries of the Arabian Peninsula, for example, there is a shortage of labor. Therefore, these countries are characterized by a significant influx of emigrants from other countries.

Emigration processes are most common in Lebanon and Turkey. Part of the population of these countries went to Western Europe and America in search of work.

Urbanization. With a low average population density for Asia (through the presence of deserts), Southwest Asia has the highest level of urbanization in the region - 65.8%.

The most urbanized countries include Kuwait, Qatar, Israel. In these countries, the proportion of the urban population is 96, 90, 90%, respectively. In seven countries, the level of urbanization ranges from 50 to 70%. And only two countries in the subregion are dominated by the rural population - Oman and Yemen.

Cities in the countries of the subregion are mostly small - up to 10 thousand inhabitants. Now in Southwest Asia there are about 100 large cities, among them 11 cities - millionaires. The largest cities are Istanbul and Tehran, where more than 7 million people live.

Economically active population (EAP). In the mid-90s, 20% of EAN was employed in the industry of the subregion and almost the same amount in agriculture - 19.1%. In most countries, the proportion of people employed in industry, mainly in the oil industry, prevails.

The oil-producing countries of the Arabian Peninsula are experiencing a significant influx of labor from other regions. Among the countries that import labor, Saudi Arabia should be named first of all. Non-indigenous residents of this country make up more than 50% of EAN. The largest suppliers of labor to oil-producing countries are Egypt, Yemen, Jordan. Emigration to Yemen and Jordan became so widespread that these countries were forced in turn to import labor from India and Pakistan.

The religious composition of the population. The majority of the population of Southwest Asia professes Islam, which is the state religion in Muslim countries. Muslims in the countries of the subregion belong to two branches of Islam: Sunni and Shia. Sunnis predominate, most of whom live in Iran and Iraq. Supporters of Shiites live in the Persian Gulf countries.

Christians predominate only in Cyprus and Lebanon, where they make up about half of the population. Judaism is practiced in Israel. In Southwest Asia, there is an important religious center of Islam, Christianity and Judaism - Jerusalem, as well as important centers of Muslim pilgrimage - Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem, etc.

The modern structure of the economic complex. The countries of Southwest Asia, despite significant differences in the level of development of their economy, belongs to the group of developing countries. Only Israel belongs to the economically advanced countries. Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia, which are part of the sub-region, given their geographical position, represent the countries of the former planned economy.

The sectoral structure of the economy of the subregion is determined by oil deposits and limited opportunities for the development of agriculture. In creating the GDP of the subregion, both in terms of the value of gross output and in terms of the number of employees, the leading role belongs to the industry, especially the oil industry.

Based on oil revenues, the countries of the subregion are undergoing a fairly rapid process of industrial development. In the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf, in the coastal regions of Iraq and Saudi Arabia, this process occurs through the construction of industrial complexes, which are characterized by three areas of specialization: oil refining and metallurgical; oil refining and cement; metallurgical and cement.

The countries of Southwest Asia are characterized by uneven rates of economic development. The dynamics of economic growth in most countries over the past 20 years depended mainly on the discovery and development of new oil fields, world prices for oil and oil products and agricultural products.

In the 1980s, the dynamics of economic growth in the countries of Southwest Asia declined sharply. Many countries experienced stagnation after high rates of economic growth. Political instability, internal armed conflicts, local wars, falling world oil prices were the reasons for the slowdown in economic growth in the subregion. In the mid-1990s, among the countries of the subregion, the highest economic growth rates were observed in Kuwait and Lebanon - respectively 7.8 and 7.0%, and the lowest - in Saudi Arabia and Iraq - 0.3 and 1.0% per year. The countries of the former planned economy (Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia) experienced a deep economic crisis in the early 1990s and were characterized by negative economic growth rates.

In 2000, the average GDP per capita in the subregion was quite high at $4,810, while the average for developing countries was $3,800. The highest level of GDP per inhabitant was observed in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. According to this indicator, they entered the second ten countries of the world.

Industry. The industrial development of the countries of Southwest Asia is closely connected with the territorial localization of oil resources. Large oil deposits determine the sectoral structure of both the mining and manufacturing industries. Oil revenues in the countries of the subregion are used to build industrial enterprises, housing, and infrastructure facilities.

Oil industry. Oil in Southwest Asia began to be extracted a long time ago. Old deposits located in the foothills of the Zagros gave the first oil in the 20s of the XX century. The development of deposits in the Arabian Peninsula began only after the Second World War. And already in the 1950s, South-West Asia became the world center of oil production.

Until the 1970s, the oil wealth of the countries of Southwest Asia was in the hands of the International Oil Cartel. At first, control over the exploration and production of oil was carried out by British monopolies, and in the post-war period - by American ones. From the exploitation of oil resources, they received large profits. And the countries from whose bowels oil was extracted, only an insignificant part of these profits remained.

In the post-colonial period, oil resources in the countries of the subregion were nationalized. In 1960, to protect their interests from the International Oil Cartel, developing countries created the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which included six countries of the subregion.

In the 1980s, due to the restructuring of the energy balance structure in economically highly developed countries, oil exports decreased, which led to a sharp drop in prices. In 1986, oil prices fell almost three times, almost reaching the level of 1974, that is, 70-100 dollars per ton. This significantly affected the volume of export earnings in oil-producing countries.

The countries of the subregion produce oil of very high quality, and its cost is the lowest in the world - from 4 to 7 dollars per ton, while in the USA - 60-80 dollars.

In the early 1990s, more than 800 million tons of oil were produced annually in Southwest Asia, which accounted for 26% of its world production.

Southwest Asia is the world's largest oil export region. Ten countries are oil exporters. Among them: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, UAE and Kuwait - to the largest not only in the sub-region, but also in the world. Countries such as Turkey, Bahrain, Qatar and Syria fully meet their needs and export a small amount of oil to the world market. Only Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon meet their liquid fuel needs through imports.

A significant part of the oil from the subregion is exported in its crude form. About half of the total exports go to the countries of Western Europe, 1/4 - to Japan, the rest - to the USA and other Asian countries.

Oil is transported by sea and pipelines. The first oil pipelines were built before World War II. The main oil pipelines stretched from oil fields to ports on the Mediterranean Sea. The length of most oil pipelines does not exceed 1000 km. The main purpose of international main oil pipelines is to pump oil to the ports of the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf. Then it is transported by tankers to Western Europe.

Gas industry. In the early 1990s, 100 billion m 3 of natural gas were produced annually in Southwest Asia, which accounted for 1/3 of the total natural gas production in Asia and 5.0% of the world. Natural gas is produced in ten countries of the subregion. The largest producers of natural gas are Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, which account for 2/3 of the total production. Saudi Arabia is among the "top ten" gas producing countries in the world.

The countries of Southwest Asia annually export 20 billion m 3 of natural gas. The main exporters in the subregion are Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Export opportunities for natural gas are significantly limited by the difficulties of its transportation. Liquefied natural gas plants have been built in the countries of the subregion. For its transportation, special tankers are used - gas carriers. The volume of international trade in liquefied gas is still insignificant. The main importers are Japan, the USA and the countries of Western Europe.

Energy. The subregion produces 41.3% of all Asia's primary energy sources and 10.2% of the world's. The total consumption of primary energy sources is 245 million tou, or 25% of the total production.

The main energy resource in Southwest Asia is oil. Its share in the consumption structure of primary energy sources reaches 70%. In ten countries, oil is the main, and in Jordan and Yemen - the only source of energy.

The second place in the energy consumption of the subregion is occupied by natural gas. In countries such as Bahrain and Qatar, its share significantly exceeds oil. In oil-producing countries, the consumption of natural gas produced along with oil is constantly growing.

Only in Turkey, coal dominates in the structure of energy consumption. The role of hydropower and other energy sources in the subregion is insignificant.

The oil-producing countries have the highest absolute level of consumption of primary energy sources. Countries such as Iran, Turkey and Saudi Arabia consume about 50 million tup per year, and in five countries the figure is more than 10 million tup.

Southwest Asian countries have an average per capita energy consumption of 4.5 tou, more than double that of the world. A very high relative level of consumption in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates - 15-20 tou, which is associated with a small population in these countries.

Manufacturing industry. Prior to World War II, only the traditional manufacturing industries, textile and food, developed in Southwest Asia. In the post-colonial period, new manufacturing industries developed in the subregion - chemical and petrochemical, metallurgical, machine-building and metalworking, etc.

The manufacturing industry has become the most dynamic branch of the economy. However, its share in the creation of GDP is only 13%. The highest rates of development of this industry are observed in oil-producing countries. In most countries, the manufacturing industry, in terms of its share in GDP, is inferior to the extractive industry, and in the least developed countries, to agriculture. Only in Israel and Turkey is the manufacturing industry the leading branch of the economy. In these countries, its share is the highest in the subregion and exceeds 25%. In seven countries it ranges from 10 to 15%, while in the remaining countries it is less than 10%.

In the sectoral structure of the manufacturing industry of the oil-producing countries, the leading role belongs to the oil refining and chemical industries. The share of these industries in the structure of the manufacturing industry is 42%. To expand the export of petroleum products and products of the petrochemical industry, petrochemical complexes were built. Among the branches of the chemical industry, the production of mineral fertilizers, rubber products and household goods is of great importance.

The food industry is closely connected with the local raw material base. It ranks second in terms of the value of the gross output of the manufacturing industry, although the growth rates of other industries are much higher. Its share in the structure of the gross output of the manufacturing industry is 16.6%. Of the branches of the food industry, flour-grinding, sugar, oilseeds, canning, tobacco, etc. have received the greatest development. The level of development of this industry does not provide the country's needs with foodstuffs. The countries of the subregion have to import a significant part of food products.

Among the branches of light industry, the leading place belongs to the textile industry. The countries of the subregion have their own raw material base for the production of cotton and woolen fabrics. The production of fabrics from artificial and synthetic fibers is developing, as well as the Kilimar and leather and footwear industries.

Mechanical engineering and metalworking in the countries of Southwest Asia has a narrow specialization. Enterprises engaged in the repair of machinery and equipment, as well as assembly plants producing automobiles, tractors, combines, radio equipment and electrical appliances predominate. Metalworking is developing in all countries of the subregion. Among the countries of the subregion, mechanical engineering is most developed in Israel and Turkey.

In Israel, almost all branches of engineering are developing, including aircraft and shipbuilding, including military. they are provided with financial, scientific and technical assistance from the United States and subsidies from Zionist organizations. For the production of military products per inhabitant, this country ranks first in the world.

Turkey has the greatest prospects for the development of mechanical engineering, where it relies on a significant metallurgical base. The country is developing the production of means of production for the light and food industries, transport, electrical engineering and other industries.

The metallurgical industry in the countries of Southwest Asia is still poorly developed. Ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises have been built on the basis of domestic and imported raw materials. In the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf, aluminum production enterprises operate on the basis of cheap energy. The building materials industry is one of the most dynamic sectors, as it creates a material base for the development of other industries. The greatest development was received by: the cement, brick industries, the production of various structures from reinforced concrete products, etc.

Agriculture. The growth rate of gross agricultural output, which averages 2.6%, lags significantly behind the population growth rate of 2.8% (1999), which does not meet domestic needs for food products. According to the calculations of UN experts, the minimum growth rate of agricultural production in the country of the region should be at the level of 4%.

The countries of Southwest Asia, except Turkey and Saudi Arabia, are food importers. The dynamics of food imports have been seriously affected by many years of hostilities in different parts of this subregion, as well as an unstable political environment. In the agricultural exports of countries, an important place is occupied by products of tropical and subtropical agriculture - dates, raisins, figs, citrus fruits, fruits, tobacco and cotton.

The diversity of the natural conditions of the territory determines the differences in the specialization of agriculture. In a dry climate, agriculture without irrigation is extremely limited. The largest agricultural regions of irrigated agriculture include the central regions of Arabia, where dry oasis agriculture is widespread, and the Mesopotamian lowland. Nezroshuvan agriculture occupies a narrow strip of dry steppes that stretch north from the Mesopotamian lowland. Terraced agriculture is developing in the mountainous regions of Arabia. Yemen is one of the countries of terraced agriculture.

Plant growing. Most of the cultivated land is used for crops - wheat, barley and rice.

Industrial and fruit crops occupy an insignificant place in the structure of cultivated land, although climatic conditions are exceptionally favorable for the cultivation of many valuable tropical and subtropical fruit and industrial crops. Of the fruit crops, the most promising is the date palm, whose products have always occupied an important place in the food balance and exports.

Cereal crops. Most of the irrigated lands of Mesopotamia, the oases of the central regions of Arabia, are used for crops. In the steppe zone, crops are grown on irrigated lands. The main crops are wheat, barley and rice. Among drought-resistant crops, millet and sorghum are the most important. Almost half of the cultivated areas produce two harvests per year.

Grain farming is characterized by a low level of productivity. The average grain yield in the countries of the subregion is 15.2 c/ha, which is 2 times less than in the whole world. The gross annual harvest of grain is 46-48 million tons. The share of the countries of Southwest Asia in the total grain production of Asian countries does not exceed 6%. The largest grain producers in the subregion are Turkey and Iran. These two countries provide 8.5% of the total grain production. Grain production per inhabitant in the countries of Southwest Asia is 170 kg, which is more than 2 times less than the average in the world. Only Turkey produces 465 kg. grain per inhabitant, which is the highest rate, both in the subregion and in Asia as a whole (1996).

Every year the countries import 20-21 million tons of grain. Grain import per inhabitant averages 205 kg, which is 5 times higher than in the world. The largest grain importers in the sub-region are Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. Only Turkey and Saudi Arabia meet their needs through domestic production.

The main industrial crops are sugar cane, sugar beet, cotton, tobacco, and opium poppy. Cotton and sugar cane can be considered as promising industrial crops. For their cultivation, the most favorable conditions developed in Mesopotamia. In the north of the subregion, sugar beet crops occupy an important place among industrial crops.

Growing fruit trees is a traditional branch of agriculture that has been developed in the subregion for a long time. The main fruit crop is the date palm. Its habitats occupy the Mesopotamian lowland and the oases of Arabia. Citrus fruits are also widespread, although they appeared here much later than other fruit crops. Natural conditions are exceptionally favorable for growing figs, which were widely distributed here in ancient times. On the coast of the Persian Gulf, the main share of the cultivated area is occupied by plantations of fruit trees - peaches, apricots, citrus fruits and date palms.

Viticulture is one of the traditional branches of agriculture in the subregion. However, grapes can not be grown everywhere, as they are very sensitive to unfavorable soil conditions, in particular salinity. This culture occupies the largest share of land in the Mesopotamian lowland.

Forage crops have not yet taken their proper place in the structure of sown areas. Under them, about 1% of cultivated land is occupied. This is due to the priority in growing food crops, which do not yet meet the domestic needs of the countries of the subregion. However, the problem of expanding acreage under fodder crops is very relevant in connection with the development of animal husbandry.

Natural conditions and resources ………….……………………………… 4-5

Population ……………………..………….……………………………... 5-7

Population accommodation ………..………….…………………………….. 7-9

Animal husbandry …………..………….….………………………...…… 9

Agriculture …………..………….………………………...…… 10-12

Transport ……………..………………….………………………...…… 12-13

Mechanical engineering ……………..………….………………………...…... 13-15

Industry ……………..………….……………….………..…... 15-16

Trade and services …………..………….…………….…………...……. 16-17

Recreation and tourism …………..………….………………………...……. 17-19

Conclusion …………..……………….….………………………...……. 20

List of used sources.….………………………...……. 21

Annex №1 .….………………………………………..……...……. 22

Appendix №2 .….………………………………………..……...……. 23

Introduction:

Abkhazia

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Afghanistan

Bahrain

Egypt (Sinai Peninsula only)

Israel

Jordan

· Saudi Arabia

· South Ossetia

Foreign Asia is the largest region in the world in terms of area and population, and it retains this primacy, in essence, throughout the entire existence of human civilization. The area of ​​Foreign Asia is 27 million km2
, it includes more than 40 sovereign states. Many of them are among the oldest in the world. Foreign Asia is one of the origins of mankind, the birthplace of agriculture, artificial irrigation, cities, many cultural values ​​and scientific achievements. The region mainly consists of developing countries.

Natural conditions and resources

Southwest Asia lies in the subtropical and tropical zones. This is one of the hottest and driest regions in the world. Most of it is occupied by mountains, dry steppes, semi-deserts and deserts, which are used only as rough pastures. Farming here is possible in most cases only under the condition of artificial irrigation. Soils are poor in humus and suffer from erosion and salinization. There are almost no forests. Water is often valued more than land. Atmospheric precipitation can be expected only on the plateaus and in mountainous regions. Resources of surface and ground waters in the lowlands are limited. Seawater desalination, which has expanded in recent years, is concentrated on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf. The area is extremely homogeneous in terms of tectonic structure and relief: within its boundaries, the greatest amplitude of heights on earth is noted, both ancient Precambrian platforms and areas of young Cenozoic folding, grandiose mountainous countries and vast plains are located here. As a result, the mineral resources of Asia are very diverse. The main pools of coal, iron and manganese ores, and non-metallic minerals are concentrated within the Chinese and Hindustan platforms. Ores predominate within the Alpine-Himalayan and Pacific fold belts. But the main wealth of the region, which also determines its role in the MGRT, is oil. Oil and gas reserves have been explored in most countries of Southwest Asia, but the main deposits are in Saudi Arabia (about 35 billion tons, over 1/4 of the world), Kuwait, Iraq, and Iran. The Persian Gulf basin contains 66% of the world's oil reserves and 26% of the world's natural gas reserves. Among other minerals, the chromites and copper ores of Turkey, the natural sulfur of Iraq and the mineral salts of the Dead Sea, and the phosphorites of Jordan and Israel stand out. Numerous mountain ranges and vast expanses of deserts complicate transport construction. Saudi Arabia is called the world's largest desert country, and the Hindu Kush mountain system in Afghanistan is one of the most difficult to pass. The agro-climatic resources of Asia are heterogeneous. Vast massifs of mountainous countries, deserts and semi-deserts are hardly suitable for economic activity, with the exception of animal husbandry; the provision of arable land is low and continues to decline (as the population grows and soil erosion increases). But on the plains of the east and south, quite favorable conditions for agriculture are created. Asia is home to 3/4 of the world's irrigated land.

Population

Population.
More than 254 million people live in Southwest Asian countries. More than 80% of the population lives in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia. Its maximum number is in Iran (67.3 million people), the minimum is in Qatar (0.55 million people).

demographic features.
The influence of Islam on the life of most countries was also indicated in demographic indicators: there is a rapid population growth, a “population explosion”.

Birth rates are very high - 20-35% per year. The average annual population growth rate is 2.8%. The maximum values ​​are observed in Qatar and the UAE (5.8%), Jordan (4.7%), Oman (4.5%), Saudi Arabia (4.3%), Yemen (4.2%), which are among from the highest levels in the world; minimum - in Georgia (0.2%), Kuwait (0.3%), Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey (1.7%), Cyprus (1.2%). Mortality has decreased over the past decades, and life expectancy has increased. The infant mortality rate in some countries is still very high, for example in Afghanistan (one of the highest in the world).

Men outnumber women - 53% of the population. In all Muslim countries, children and youth in the age structure of the population make up 33%. The number of elderly people in the region is insignificant (5%), but there is a tendency to increase it due to the increase in life expectancy. For men, it is 67 years, for women - 71 years.

Racial composition.
The vast majority of the region's population belongs to the southern racial group of the large Caucasian race. It is distinguished by significant skin pigmentation, dark, mostly dark wavy hair, dark (brown and black) eyes.

Ethnic composition.
Very colorful and represented by several language families: the Semitic-Hamitic family (the Arab population of the region, the Jews of Israel); Altai family (Turks, Azerbaijanis, Turkish Cypriots); Kartvelian family (Georgians) and Indo-European family (Iranian group - Persians, Kurds, Balochs, Pashtuns; Armenian group - Armenians; Greek group - Greek Cypriots).

National minorities live in every country. In particular, over 50% of the world's Azerbaijanis are concentrated in Iran (Iranian Azerbaijan); Kurds make up 20% of the population of Turkey and Iraq, there are many of them in Iran and Syria; in Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, a significant number of Russians; in Afghanistan, 25% of the population are Tajiks who live in the north of the country; in Lebanon 4% Armenian; in Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, the indigenous population represents only 50-60%, and the rest are foreign workers from other countries in the region.

Religious composition.
The majority of the population professes Islam of different directions: Sunism (the predominant part of Islamic countries), Shiism (Iran, partly Iraq, Azerbaijan, Yemen), Wahhabism - Saudi Arabia, Kharijism (orthodox Islam) - Oman.

The region is the birthplace of Islam. On its territory there are saints for every Muslim city - Mecca (the holiest city in Islam), where, according to legend, Muhammad was born, and the "city of the prophet" - Medina, where on the site of the house in which Muhammad is said to have died, a majestic El-Haram Mosque, with the tomb of the founder of Islam and other "saints". Pilgrimage here is one of the five "pillars" of Islam. Islamic fundamentalism plays a significant role in the life of some Muslim countries in the region, especially in Iran.

The Jews of Israel profess Judaism - the official religion in the state, although this is not legally confirmed. Nevertheless, the influence of the rabbinate on the internal life of Israeli society is very great. Rabbis control the issue of marriage and family, since only they are authorized to draw up acts of civil status, monitor observance of kashrut (the rules for preparing, eating and preserving food) and Saturday (Shabbat), which requires the cessation of any production and service activities. Religious holidays in Israel are also state holidays.

The Greek Cypriots and Georgians are Orthodox, while the Armenians belong to the Virmeno-Gregorian Church. Approximately 1/2 of the population of Lebanon are representatives of local Christian churches of the Catholic and Orthodox directions.

Population placement

Due to the peculiarities of natural conditions, the bulk of the inhabitants of the region live on the coast, in mountain valleys and lowlands (for example, the Ararat valley of Armenia, Colchis in Georgia, etc.), in the valleys of large rivers - Mesopotamia in Iraq (average population density - 80 -100 people/km2 and more). Huge areas of the deserts of Arabia and the Iranian Highlands are poorly populated (1 person / km2) or do not have a permanent population at all.

There are noticeable migrations of people here, caused by traditions, socio-economic, political conditions, etc. Pashtuns in Afghanistan). According to various estimates, there are from 10 to 20 million people.

Many ancient cities of the region arose before our era in oases and at the crossroads of caravan routes. They are rich in monuments of medieval Muslim architecture. It is believed that on the territory of modern Israel there was the oldest city on Earth - Jericho (it arose as early as the 4th millennium BC near the mouth of the Jordan).

The level of urbanization is generally low and represents an average of 65%: in Kuwait - 97%, Qatar - 92, Israel - 91, UAE - 90, Yemen - 34, Afghanistan - 18, Oman - 13% (one of the lowest rates in the world). The largest agglomerations of the region are: Tehran (12 million people), Istanbul (10 million), Ankara (4 million), Baghdad (3.8 million). Millionaire cities - Er Riyadh (2.6 million people), Jeddah (2.6 million), Damascus (2 million), Izmir (2 million), Beirut (1.8 million), Baku ( 1.8 million), Yerevan (1.3 million), etc.

Almost half of the population lives in rural areas, mostly in compact villages.

Labor resources. The predominant part of the local population is employed in the areas of management, trade, finance, or lives on interest on capital. The majority of the economically active population (especially 80-90% in the manufacturing sector) of many oil-producing countries in the region (except Israel, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Cyprus, Afghanistan) are immigrants from poor Arab countries who are attracted by earnings that are 10-15 times higher than wages in their home country. In recent decades, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of foreign workers in the areas of the service sector.

The tense external economic situation for decades, the almost constant military conflicts in many countries of the region have affected the demographic situation, causing mass migration. Low living standards (poverty, illiteracy, the spread of diseases, epidemics, etc.) are characteristic of a significant part of the region's population.

animal husbandry

In animal husbandry, the main breeding is sheep and goats. The total number of sheep is almost 135 million heads. Many donkeys and camels (almost a quarter of their world population). Livestock productivity is low. The breeding of small cattle, horses and camels prevails. There are significantly fewer cattle here and there is no pig breeding at all. The main method of keeping animals is transhumance or nomadic grazing. The wool of angora goats from Turkey and karakul from Afghanistan are valued on the world market.

Fishing.
The waters of the Red, Arabian and Caspian Seas, the Persian Gulf are rich in fish. Such valuable industrial fish species as tuna, mackerel, horse mackerel, etc. are caught here. Shrimp fishing is common in the waters of the Persian Gulf. On the world market of black caviar, Iran became its largest producer (270 tons of sturgeon caviar annually), displacing Russia and other Caspian countries. On the coast of the Arabian Sea, turtles are caught, the meat of which is used in food.

Agriculture

About half of the working population is employed in agriculture. This industry still remains backward and unproductive, mainly because of archaic agrarian relations. The territories are severely affected by droughts. The low rates of reproduction in agricultural production are primarily due to unsatisfactory technical and technological support, the predominance of pre-industrial forms of production. In the 70s and 80s of the XX century. in all countries of the region, in order to stimulate farming agricultural production, agrarian reforms were carried out (large land ownership was eliminated, a maximum land ownership per person or family was established). A policy of promoting the cooperative movement was implemented. But due to inconsistency, the reforms did not give the expected effectiveness.

Despite the increased role of animal husbandry in the arid countries of the region (sheep breeding, camel breeding, goat breeding), agriculture is dominated by agriculture. Part of the land is reserved for vineyards and fruit plantations. For the needs of agriculture, only 5-7% of the land fund is used. Wheat occupies the main place among grain crops. Its homeland is the plateaus of Western Asia, from where it spread to other countries. Recently, thanks to the use of desalination devices and hydroponic irrigation of agricultural crops, Israel has achieved significant success in the development of the agro-industrial complex (even banana plantations are irrigated), Saudi Arabia (harvests 2.5 million tons of wheat with a rainfall of 100 mm per year). They also grow barley, corn, oilseeds, cotton, tobacco, and a variety of vegetables and fruits. Rice is grown on irrigated lands in Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Azerbaijan. Of industrial crops, many countries cultivate cotton (mainly medium-fiber varieties), in Turkey, Armenia, Georgia - sugar beet. Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, Cyprus, Iran grow a lot of tobacco, and the varieties that are planted in the north and in Turkey are considered among the best in the world for their aroma. The countries of the Mediterranean coast (Turkey, Israel, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria) and the Absheron Peninsula of Azerbaijan have large plantations of wood oils. On the Caspian and Black Sea coasts of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran, tea is cultivated for local needs, in the southern regions of Yemen around the city of Mocha - mocha coffee, which is considered one of the best in the world. In the production and export of raisins, dried fruits, nuts and dates, cotton and tobacco, Southwest Asia occupies one of the leading places in the world. Dates are an important part of the diet of local residents. Most date palms in the south of Mesopotamia. 80% of world exports of dates pass through the port of Basra. Bananas are grown in Lebanon, Israel and Yemen. Apricots are traditionally harvested generously, from which dried apricots (especially in Turkey), figs, pomegranates and almonds are produced.

Turkey, Yemen, Cyprus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran specialize in growing wine and table grape varieties. Turkey is known in the world for grapes of the raisin variety, from which raisins are made. Traditionally, gourds (watermelons, melons, etc.) are grown in Southwest Asia. The inland mountainous regions of Iran and Afghanistan (the so-called "Golden Crescent") are the place of legal and illegal cultivation of opium poppy.

Southwest Asia imports: grain, vegetable oil, sugar, tea and livestock products. Exports: astrakhan (Afghanistan), dates (Iraq), raisins and hazelnuts (Turkey), almonds (Iran), mocha coffee (Yemen), berries and flowers (Kuwait), etc.

Transport

Intensive development of modern modes of transport was acquired with the beginning of active oil production in many countries of the region. The railway network with a total length of 26,689 km is concentrated in the northwestern part, in the coastal regions of the Mediterranean, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan. The Trans-Eurasian Highway Berlin-Belgrade-Istanbul-Basra passes through the territory of many countries. In 1958, a 2 km long railway ferry across the Bosphorus (Sirkeli-Haydar) was opened, through which the region is connected with the countries of Europe. Bahrain, Yemen, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the eastern part of Saudi Arabia do not have railways, only 24.5 km have been built in Afghanistan. ways. Motor transport plays an important role in external and internal transportation. The total length of automobile routes is up to 400 thousand km, the largest highways are laid in all centers of civilization and oil production areas. The region's vehicle fleet is 11.9 million passenger and 4.5 million trucks. The Trans-Arabian Highway runs through the territory of the region. Maritime transport is important. In all countries, modern ports and docks have been built in recent decades, where they serve oil

Anchors, passenger liners and ships. The largest fleet in the region is in Cyprus ("country of convenience"), with 2,753 vessels. Turkey, Iran, Iraq (tanker fleet), Kuwait, Bahrain (annual cargo turnover - 1.5 million tons) have their own fleets, the Saudi National Shipping Company has 21 vessels for transporting oil products. Two important international sea routes pass through the region: from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean by the Suez Canal and from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea by the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits. The emirate of Dubai (UAE) has the world's largest dry dock, designed to repair tankers with a displacement of up to 1 million tons. There are ship repair docks in Bahrain and Qatar. Two bridges have been built across the Bosphorus Strait, which is strategic for Turkey and the entire region, and an underwater tunnel under it is being designed. The countries of Southwest Asia have a significant place in the system of international air communications. The most important air routes pass over the territory of the region, which connect Europe with South and East Asia and Australia. Recently, national airlines have been created in some countries: the largest in the Middle East, Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudi Arabia), El Al (Israel), Sirien Arab Airlines (Syria), Kuwait Airways Company (Kuwait) , Aliya (Jordan). There are 121 airports with regular flights; of which there are many airports of international importance: in Baku, Yerevan, Tel Aviv, Baghdad, Istanbul, Izmir, etc. The region is one of the world's leading in terms of capacity and length of pipelines. An intermediate oil pipeline from Suez to Alexandria was built near the Suez Canal. Giant tankers deliver oil to the port of Suez, and from the port of Alexandria it is transported by ordinary tankers. In some countries (Israel, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, etc.) a highly developed system of international telecommunications has been created. Currently, most countries in the region are investing heavily in improving transport infrastructure, especially in the development of maritime, pipeline and air transport. Internal transport (primarily rail and road) is underdeveloped. In desert and semi-desert regions, horse-drawn vehicles (camels) are still actively used.

mechanical engineering

Automobile manufacturing is developed (Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia). Recently, electrical engineering has been intensively developing (Iraq, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey, Lebanon, UAE), air conditioners are being assembled in Bahrain and Azerbaijan. Israel has a strong position in the world market in the production of medical electronics, communications, aircraft and shipbuilding (especially military). In Israel, Turkey and some of the “golden principalities” of the region (for example, the UAE), high-tech engineering (electronic and for the military-industrial complex) is developing.

Mineral fertilizers
(based on phosphorites) are produced in Jordan, Syria and Iran. A new field is expanding in the Arabian Peninsula - seawater desalination and marine minerals.

cement industry.
It is growing rapidly, represented by plants in all countries of the region.

Textile industry.
It has long been developing in Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, Azerbaijan. Iran is known all over the world for Persian carpets. Sericulture and the production of natural silk play an important role in the economy of Azerbaijan and Turkey.

Food industry.
Traditional area for all countries of the region. The production of canned vegetables and fruits is of great importance. The following industries are developed: in Georgia - mineral water, wine, tobacco products, tea; in Turkey - sugar, confectionery, packaging of dried fruits; in Syria - tomato juice, grape processing; in Lebanon - confectionery; in Saudi Arabia - tomato paste and confectionery; in Yemen - processing of tobacco and production of cigarettes, cold drinks, coffee; in Oman - processing of dates to obtain molasses, wine; in the UAE - the production of Coca-Cola; in Bahrain - soft drinks; in Cyprus - olive oil, etc. Wine and cognac production is developed in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Israel and Georgia. Cypriot wines are also valued on the world market.

National handicrafts and crafts.
Among them, carpet weaving (Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkey), brocade production (Syria), pearl mining (Qatar, Bahrain), processing of imported diamonds (Israel) and precious stone (Armenia), production of daggers (Syria) and processing corals (Yemen, Bahrain).

The industry of the highly developed countries of the region is based on extractive areas, while in the economically backward countries, industries based on semi-handicraft and small enterprises dominate.

Industry

The countries of the region have rich natural resources to create a diversified national industry. Israel, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Georgia, Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia have achieved significant results in industrialization and the use of natural resources. In other countries, the level of industrial development is not high, and the industry is mainly aimed at processing local agricultural raw materials.

Oil and oil refining industry.
The extractive industry, primarily the oil and gas industry, occupies the leading place in terms of the volume and cost of production. The countries of the region produce more than 1/3 of the world's oil. The main oil-producing countries are Saudi Arabia (402.8 million tons), Iran (189 million tons), the United Arab Emirates (108 million tons), Kuwait (102 million tons), Iraq (32 million tons). ). In addition, oil is produced in Oman, Qatar, Syria, Bahrain, and Turkey. Export accounts for 9/10 of production, which is almost 40% of world exports. Oil is exported mainly crude (oil products - no more than 10%). Oil refining is intensively developing in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, and Syria. This is due to the fact that petroleum products are more expensive than crude oil.

Phosphorites, potash and kitchen salt, gypsum, marble, raw materials for the glass and cement industries, building stone, sand, clay, as well as lead-zinc and iron ores are mined in Jordan, Yemen, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

Energy.
Almost all electricity is generated at thermal power plants, the total volume is 427 billion kWh. hydroelectric power stations were built. Armenia has a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 0.4 million kW, which generates 37% of the electricity in the country. Nuclear power plants are being built in Iran.

Ferrous metallurgy.
Represented by the production of steel in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain, ferroalloys in Saudi Arabia, coke-chemical, pipe-rolling, nitrogen fertilizer production in the countries of the Caucasus (Georgia and Azerbaijan).

Non-ferrous metallurgy.
Recently, the aluminum (Bahrain, UAE, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Saudi Arabia) and copper industries (Oman, Armenia) have been developing rapidly.

Trade and services

The sector of trade and services is important in the structure of the economy of the region. In 2000, its share in the total value of GNP was approximately 51%. This increase is due to reductions in agricultural and industrial output in oil-producing countries.

An influential factor in economic development in many countries of the region is the public sector of the economy. This is primarily due to the fact that significant financial resources from oil exports are controlled by the state. In addition, the state and the public sector have traditionally played an important role in the economic life of the region. In the countries of the Middle East, the state determines the main tasks and directions of economic strategy, using long-term planning as a tool for its implementation. However, the region is quite tangible instability of social and political life. Due to historical features of development, internal political contradictions (most often due to religious and ethnic factors) and large reserves of oil and gas raw materials, the countries of the region have long been the scene of interstate and interethnic armed conflicts. This is the reason for the high degree of militarization of the economy. Over the past decades, military spending here has reached an average of 50% of all military spending in developing countries. Israel, Turkey and Iraq have developed military-industrial complexes, manufacture their own military weapons, and other countries in the region import a lot of weapons and military equipment. In general, in the countries of the region, the share of military spending in the structure of GDP is from 9 to 13%. According to the UN data, in the late 90s of the XX century. in terms of the share of military spending per inhabitant of the country, Kuwait ranked first ($1,958), Saudi Arabia second ($1,338), and Israel third ($1,337).

Recreation and tourism

The countries of the region have favorable prerequisites for the development of the recreational area of ​​the economy. Most of them have unique natural conditions - mountain landscapes and healing springs, resorts on the coast of the Black, Mediterranean, and Red Seas; historical and cultural monuments of three thousand years of history. An exotic way of life for tourists in oases, mountains, as well as modern exoticism of the rich "golden principalities" of the Persian Gulf.

The main centers of tourism: Yerevan (repository of ancient manuscripts Matenadaran), Echmiadzin in Armenia; the coastal Black Sea strip of Gagra - Sukhumi - Poti - Batumi in Georgia; Jerusalem, Haifa in Israel; Aegean and Mediterranean coast of Turkey, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, the ruins of Troy, Ephesus and Miletus, etc..

The region is the world's largest center of pilgrimage. In Israel, there are 8 holy places of the Jews (Jerusalem, Safad, Hebron, etc.), 11 - Christians (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, the shores of the Galilee (Tiberias) Lake, Nablus, Mount Tabor and Carmel, etc.), Muslims - Jerusalem and Hebron. In Iraq, Muslim religious centers are Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad, and in Iran - Mashhad and Qom. In Saudi Arabia are the holy places of all Muslims - Mecca and Medina. Mecca, where Muhammad was born, is a sacred place for 1 billion Muslims around the world. Here are the main mosque Haram ("God's house"), the temple of the Kaaba ("Cube") and the black stone ("Qibla"). The annual pilgrimage ("Hajj") is carried out by 4.5 million people (corresponding to the quotas of each Muslim country).

There are 47 objects on the UNESCO list, including:

In Azerbaijan (1) - the historical center of Baku;

In Afghanistan (1) - minarets and archaeological sites of Jam;

In Armenia (3) - Haghpat monastery complex (X century), cathedrals and churches of Echmiadzin, etc.;

In Georgia (3) - Upper Svaneti, Mtskheta Museum City, Gelati Monastery;

In Yemen (3) - the historical center of Sani, the city of Zabed (the capital of the 10th century), the city of Shibam with fortress moors;

In Israel (2) - Jerusalem, the historical center of Acre;

In Iraq (1) - Hatra (Parthian city I-II century AD);

In Iran (3) - Persepolis - the capital of Iran during the Achaemenid period, Maidan-Imam square in Isfahan, etc.;

In Jordan (2) - the ruins of the city of Petra (the capital of the Nabatean kingdom, IV century BC), Quseir-Amra (the castle of the Umayyads, VIII century);

In Cyprus (3) - historical monuments of Paphos and Troodos churches, etc.;

In Lebanon (5) - the ancient Byblos and Tir, the temple complex of Baalbek (I-III centuries), Anjar Castle (VII centuries), etc.;

In Oman (6) - Bahla Fort, archaeological sites of Bata, El-Khutma, El-Ain, Oryx Reserve, etc.;

In Syria (4) - the old districts of Damascus, Aleppo and Basri, the ruins of Palmyra (II-III centuries AD);

In Turkey (10) - the historical zone of Istanbul, the Cappadocia National Park, the Divrigi Mosque, the capital of the Hittites Hattushash, the archaeological sites of Nemrutdag and Xanthos-Letun, the hot springs of Hierapolis-Pamukkale, the city of Safranbolu, etc.

For many countries in the region, tourism has become an important source of foreign exchange earnings (Cyprus, Israel, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, etc.). Foreign tourists are attracted by unique natural conditions and excellent tourist infrastructure (hotels, campsites, motels, a variety of entertainment systems, etc.). However, the main factor that hinders the flow of foreign tourists is the unstable political and economic situation in some countries of the region (Israel, Georgia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Iraq), which negatively affects the development of not only the recreational sector, but the economy in general.

CONCLUSION

This region can be characterized as quite rich and promising developing. Perhaps the main thing worth noting is the geographical location of most countries. Almost all of them have access to the sea, which gives them a cheap transport network for the import and export of goods, the development of fisheries, the recreational economy and economic development in general. The fact that almost all the countries of Southwest Asia have huge reserves of natural resources, and the main ones such as oil and gas, makes us believe that in the future the economy of these countries will become one of the world's leading ones. What can already be seen on the example of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey. It should be noted that with its favorable geographical location, the region has a not very favorable climate for agriculture, especially for crops such as wheat. But the agro-industrial complex is developing well for irrigating the plantation, which gives not a bad result. In general, we can say that Southwest Asia has a huge potential in the development and creation of a diversified economy.

LIST

SOURCES USED

1. Lipets Yu. G., Pulyarkin V. A., Shlikhter S. B. Geography of the world economy: Textbook for students. – M.: Humanit. Ed. Center VLADOS, 1999. - 400 p.: ill.

2. Electron. resource: Asia
.
en

3.
Electron. resource: http://en.wikipedia.org

Application No. 1

The numbers indicate the states and their capitals:

1.
Cyprus – Nicosia 2.
Syria - Damascus 3.
Lebanon – Beirut 4.
Israel - Tel Aviv 5.
Jordan – Amman 6.
Palestinian territories (West Bank and Gaza) 7.
Kuwait - El Kuwait 8.
neutral zone 9.
Bahrain – Manama 10.
Qatar – Doha 11.
United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi 12.
Nepal - Kathmandu 13.
Bhutan – Thimphu 14.
Bangladesh – Dhaka 15.
Laos – Vientiane 16.
Cambodia - Phnom Penh 17.
Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur 18.
Brunei - Bandar Seri Begawan 19.
North Korea - Pyongyang 20.
Rep. Korea – Seoul

Application №2

International trade in arms and military equipment (million dollars)

Main exporters and importers	1988	1992	1988-1992
Exporters	12204	8429	54969
USSR-Russia	14658	2043	45183
France	2403	1151	9349
Germany	1241	1928	8190
China	2161	1535	7659
United Kingdom	1704	952	7623
Czech Republic and Slovakia	927	772	3164
Other exporting countries	4736	1595	14877
World export	40034	18405	151014
Developing importing countries	23688	9320	85553
including: India	3709	1197	12236
Saudi Arabia	2441	883	8690
Afghanistan	1264	-	7515
Turkey	1447	1511	6167
Iraq	2845	-	4967
Iran	648	877	3632