Geography and History of the World © 2010 Indiana Edition

Chapter 17: Physical Geography of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia

Student Web Activities


"The Dead Sea"

Introduction
For thousands of years, the people of North Africa, Southwest Asia, and Central Asia have depended on their waterways for transportation, trade, and farming. The region is dominated by mountains and desert area, with a fertile coast lines largely dominated by the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas and the Persian Gulf and major river valleys. The region also contains three landlocked saltwater lakes, the most famous perhaps being the Dead Sea.

Objective
Students will investigate the distinctive qualities of the Dead Sea.

Directions
Research credible websites and complete the questions and activity that follows:

Where to begin
seaspastore.3dcartstores.com/Dead-Sea-Facts_ep_28.html
www.extremescience.com/DeadSea.htm

Take notes as well as record the websites you visit and answer the following questions:

1
How deep is the Dead Sea? Why does this make the Dead Sea unique?
2
What is the salt concentration of the Dead Sea? How does this make the sea distinctive among water ways in the world?
3
How did the Dead Sea get its name? Is this name completely accurate?
4
What is the most like explanation for the formation of the Dead Sea? Why is the Dead Sea so salty
5
If you were to visit the Dead Sea, what would you be able to do? What would it be like to swim in the Dead Sea?

Activity
Analyzing Information
Prepare a PowerPoint or other presentation tracing the origin of the Dead Sea to its current state. Make sure to include its formation, historical discoveries, and current uses. You may want to present your presentation to a class of younger students in order to share you’re the information you have learned.

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