Chp 17.1 and 17.2 Homework

Chapter 17, Section 1

1. What land and water features dominate North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central

Asia?

Answer:

North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia are dominated by deserts, mountains, and three small bodies of salt water.

2. Why is much of the world economically dependent on North Africa, Southwest Asia,

and Central Asia?

Answer:

The world is economically dependant on North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central asian because the world needs natural gas to power it, and there are many sources of natural gas in said areas.

Creative Writing: Agree or disagree with the statement: The supply of water in North

Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia is more critical to the region’s security than the

supply of oil.

Answer:  I agree with the statement.  Athough the supply of oil means economic stability and wealth, supply of water means the survival of the people.  People's lives should always be put first, and other matters after.

 

Chapter 17, Section 2

1. How do the climates of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia differ?

Answer:

There are two main climates, the desert climate and the steppe climate.  The desert climate is about ten inches of rainfall, or less, per year.  There are few sand dunes, instead there are desert pavements, mountains, and barren rock.  Only cacti and shrubs grow here, and only nomadic herds of sheep and goats and camels live here.  Steppe climates usually get a bit more rain, fourteen inches on average.  The climate can support grasses for livestock and shrubs and trees.  It is more liveable.

2. How are the agricultural activities of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

affected by the climate regions?

Answer:

Drier climates usually result in little to no agricultural activities, those activities being replaced by herding livestock.  Places by the coast and highland have more and more farms and pastures, supporting barley, oat, and wheat farms without irrigation.

Creative Writing: The steppe climate areas of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central

Asia, and the steppe climate in the Great Plains of the United States and Canada are

similar. Cereal crops and livestock are important commodities in each region. What are

some similarities and differences between the agricultural economies of each region?

Answer:

Some similarities will be the products grown there.  If both regions require the same commodities, they ought to create the same commodities, right?  The economies would be different because the U.S. is probably less dependent, knowing that they can import as much as they would like, that if all else fails there will be help.  The steppe climates in North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia have no such support and probably have more secure irrigation systems.