Answer/Explanation:
The Middle East is a mosaic of cultures mixed together in a volatile world. Ready to blow up at a moment's notice, the Middle East is considered by many as one of the world's most troubled spots. Its physical geography is nearly as striking as its culture. Vast stretches of desert, where almost nothing can live, coexist with a fertile river valley known as the “cradle of civilization,” home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations. There are also seas and coastlines full of shipping and commerce, due largely to the abundance of oil reserves on the Persian Gulf.
Vastly different geographies support vastly different population levels. Lush river valleys support large amounts of crops, which support a large population. Deserts, however, are devoid of life. They support nothing but a few creatures and occasional bands of nomadic herders and traders. Thus the population of the Middle East finds itself concentrated in a few select places, while vast stretches of desert sands lie practically empty.
One of the most densely-population area of the Middle East includes Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The northern part of Turkey also crowds many people into its land. These regions have always had large populations because of their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea. As with everywhere else on Earth, there's only a certain amount of livable land available. This forces the population density to increase as more people try to occupy the same limited space.
In contrast, the desert in the middle of Saudi Arabia has almost no people living in it. Less than two people per square mile live there. However, in the middle of the desert, the city of Riyadh, exists because of seasonally flooding stream beds. The definition of a desert, although often thought as a hot place, only needs to be a place which receives little rain. People, of course need water to live. Without water, no life can be supported.
Water, the life blood of the Middle East, controls the population. Much of the water available comes from rain. Rainfall appears greatest around Turkey, which reaches about 40 inches per year. It's especially heavy around the Black Sea, to the north of Turkey. Also, rain comes down in sizable amounts to the south and southeast of Turkey, extending partly into the northern part of Iran.
The area near the Caspian Sea also supports a large population because of the plentiful precipitation between the sea and the Elburz Mountains. This rain supports up to 100 people per square mile in this little sliver of land in Iran. The capital city of Iran, Tehran, is located within this fertile region. On the other side of Elburz Mountains, the rain is blocked. This keeps most of Iran dry, and therefore sparsely populated with levels around 25-49 people per square mile.
In closing, the Middle East has great geographical diversity. This supports a diverse population spread out throughout the Middle East. Rainfall, rivers, and mountains affect where people can live. From empty deserts to crowded oases and marshes, the Middle East finds itself defined by geography. Unfortunately, this can cause conflicts and disagreements.
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