Generalized characteristics of foreign Asia. Natural resources of southwest asia

Inland waters. Lev Mechnikov famous work: “Civilization and the great historical rivers” wrote: “The four oldest great cultures all originated on the banks of large rivers. The Yellow River and the Yangtze irrigate the area where Chinese civilization arose and grew; Indian or Vedic, without going beyond the Indus and Ganges; Assyro-Babylonian civilization originated on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates - two vital arteries of the Mesopotamian lowland. Finally, ancient Egypt was, according to Herodotus, a gift or "the creation of the Nile."

The population density in the Yangtze Valley, the largest of the Asian rivers, reaches 500-600 people. per km. sq.

Rivers are transport arteries, a source of irrigation and water resources. Asia accounts for more than 40% of the world's potential resources, of which China - 540 million kW, India - 75. The degree of their use is very different: in Japan - by 70%, in India - by 14%, in Myanmar by 1%.

Section two

REGIONS AND COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

Topic 11. ASIA

1. SOUTHWEST ASIA

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

important links sea ​​routes Communications in this sub-region is 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 Bosporus 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 United Arab Emirates- 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 Small 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).

Climate resources influence 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. Medium 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 a severe shortage 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.

Türkiye 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, widely used The groundwater, which are mined using underground channels (ropes), and those that lie close to the surface - wells. Where groundwater comes to the surface in the form 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 unconventional methods of obtaining clean water(wastewater treatment, reuse of water for irrigation) have not yet reached industrial scale.

Türkiye 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 soils suitable for agriculture are poor. 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 the three major 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: Türkiye, 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 territories deserts and part of mountainous regions, where the population density is less than 1 person / km 2. The highest population density is on the coast 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. fast paced Population growth could jeopardize today's levels of resource and service provision 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, creating whole line 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 major 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 Muslim pilgrimages - 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 rates of economic growth 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. Volumes international trade 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. A significant part food products countries in the subregion are forced to import.

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 involved in the repair of machinery and equipment predominate, as well as assembly plants producing automobiles, tractors, combines, radio equipment and electrical appliances. 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.

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. Greatest development received: cement, brick industries, 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.

Technical 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-tolerant crops highest value have millet and sorghum. 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 Türkiye 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 Türkiye 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 Türkiye 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.

1. Determine the features from the atlas maps geographical location foreign Asia and the natural resource potential of this territory.

Foreign Asia occupies a vast territory on the Eurasian continent - about 30 million km2, or approximately 20% of the entire earth's land. There are about 40 states, different in area and population.

The region lies in the North and southern hemispheres, in many climatic zones between 53°N. and 10° S, which determines the diversity of its natural conditions. Foreign Asia as a whole is a region with the richest natural resource potential: significant water, hydropower and agro-climatic resources, colossal reserves of minerals, especially oil and gas, various ores (iron, non-ferrous metals, tin, tungsten) and many others.

2. What is the natural originality of the region?

This is the highest region in the world; here are the highest mountain systems and peaks of the Earth. Vast areas are occupied by drainless territories, and in some regions the population suffers from excess moisture.

In accordance with this, the vegetation is also extremely diverse - from forests, steppes and deserts of the temperate zone to the humid equatorial forests of the islands of Southeast Asia.

3. What features characterize the population of foreign Asia?

The population of only China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan and Bangladesh makes up half of all mankind. East, South, and Southeast Asia are especially densely populated, with the largest clusters of population confined to river (alluvial) and coastal valleys. On the lowlands of the Ganges, the Yangtze, the Yellow River, in the delta of the Red River, on the coasts of Hindustan, on the plains of the large islands of Indonesia and Japan, the population density sometimes reaches 1,000 people per 1 km2 or more.

Overseas Asia is a rural region: approximately 60% of its population are rural residents. The largest cities and megalopolises are located in China, India, and Japan.

Almost all known language families are represented in foreign Asia. About a third of the population speaks the languages ​​of the Sino-Tibetan (or Sino-Tibetan) family, which includes the Chinese (Han), Dungans, Tibetans, Burmese, etc. Residents of India speak both languages ​​of the Indian group, which is part of the Indo-European family (Hindustani, Bengalis, Punjabis, Marathas, etc.), and in the languages ​​of the Dravidian family (Tamils, Canaries, Gonds, etc.). The Altaic language family (Mongols, Turkic peoples, Manchus, etc.) has a very extensive, but broken area in Asia. Of the representatives of the most numerous peoples of Asia, we also mention the Indonesians belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian family, the Arabs, whose language belongs to the Semitic group of the Semitic-Hamitic family.

The region is home to three world religions: Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. National religions - Judaism, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shintoism - also originated in the region. largest nation Asia - the Chinese - professes Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism; Hinduism prevails in most states of India, the population of Southwest Asia (primarily Arabs) professes Islam, etc.

4. What is the reason for the entry of foreign Asia in economic development to the forefront?

The strengthening of the position of Foreign Asia in the world economy is primarily due to the intensive development of China and Japan. As well as the Asian new industrial countries, the aggravation of the global energy problem, which the oil-producing countries of the region are helping to solve.

5. In foreign Asia, the following are especially densely populated: a) Central Asia; b) Southeast Asia.

6. Choose the correct statement:

1) Foreign Asia lies in almost all climatic zones.

2) Foreign Asia is the birthplace of three world religions.

3) Foreign Asia is the most economically backward region of the world.

7. The largest deposits of oil and natural gas are located in:

a) China, Japan, Republic of Korea;

b) Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait;

c) Pakistan, India, Bangladesh.

9. Give an assessment of the natural conditions and resources of foreign Asia for the development of: a) industry; b) agriculture.

a) Colossal reserves of mineral raw materials, especially oil and gas, various ores (iron, non-ferrous metals, tin, tungsten) and many others. The region has significant hydropower resources. The degree of use of river energy is very different: in Japan - by 70%, in India - by 14%, in Myanmar - by 1%.

b) The region has the richest water and agro-climatic resources. Agricultural development of the territory is not the same. It is greatest in Bangladesh, where about 70% of the total area is plowed, and in India more than 50%. The lowest rates - 10-15% - in China, Afghanistan, Jordan, Iran.

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, average temperature January +$25$ 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.

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 period 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 features 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, with geographic point 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. Türkiye;
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 warm seas Southwest Asia - Turkey and Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia.

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 UAE, 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 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.