Golan Heights
a hilly plateau overlooking the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee; strategic location that has been the site of conflict in Southwest Asia for decades
wadi
a riverbed that remains dry except during the rainy seasons
Tigris River
one of the most important rivers of Southwest Asia; it supported many ancient river valley civilizations, and flows through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq
Euphrates River
a river of Southwest Asia which supported several ancient civilizations and flows through parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq and empties into the Persian Gulf
Jordan River
a river that serves as a natural boundary between Israel and Jordan, flowing from the mountains of Lebanon with no outlet to the Mediterranean Sea
Dead Sea
a landlocked salt lake between Israel and Jordan; so salty that almost nothing can live in it
Rub al-Khali
also known as the Empty Quarter; on of the largest sandy deserts in the world; located on the Arabian Peninsula
oasis
a place where water from an aquifer has reached the surface and supports vegetation and wildlife
salt flat
flat land made of chemical salts that remain after winds evaporate the moisture in the soil
drip irrigation
the practice of using small pipes that slowly drip water just above ground to conserve water to use for crops
desalinization
the removal of salt from ocean water
fossil water
water pumped from underground aquifers
crude oil
petroleum that has not been processed
refinery
a place where crude oil is converted into useful products