New
New
Year 9

Rivers and water resources in the Middle East

I can explain how rivers have shaped the Middle East, and understand the challenge of managing water resources in the region.

New
New
Year 9

Rivers and water resources in the Middle East

I can explain how rivers have shaped the Middle East, and understand the challenge of managing water resources in the region.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The Tigris and Euphrates are key rivers for farming.
  2. Water scarcity affects many countries in the region.
  3. Desalination provides water but is expensive.
  4. Dams impact water flow and cause disputes.

Keywords

  • Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the total value of all the goods and services within a location

  • Water scarcity - when there are not enough freshwater resources to meet the needs in a given area

  • Desalination - the process of removing salt from seawater

  • Dam - a barrier constructed to hold back water

  • Conflict - a strong disagreement between people or countries which may lead to fighting

Common misconception

The Middle East is all desert and has no rivers.

Students will explore the Tigris and Euphrates and understand how they created ancient civilisations and continue to support farming today.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Rivers and water resources in the Middle East, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Using maps and infographics will help students visualise precipitation rates and river networks.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match these terms with their definitions.

Correct Answer:tectonic,Large-scale processes in Earth's crust

Large-scale processes in Earth's crust

Correct Answer:mountain,Raised landform higher than a hill

Raised landform higher than a hill

Correct Answer:plateau,High, flat area of land

High, flat area of land

Correct Answer:desert,Very dry land with little rainfall

Very dry land with little rainfall

Q2.
Which continents are part of the Middle East?

Correct answer: Africa
Correct answer: Asia
Correct answer: Europe
South America

Q3.
What is a desert?

A rainforest with high rainfall
A snowy mountainous region
Correct answer: A dry area with little rain
A city with many buildings

Q4.
Which of these is an example of a mountain in the Middle East?

The Alps
The Rockies
Correct answer: Mount Ararat
Mount Fuji

Q5.
Which best describes the climate in many parts of the Middle East?

Correct answer: Hot and dry
Cold and wet
Warm and rainy
Windy and snowy

Q6.
What does the word "plateau" mean?

A steep slope
Correct answer: A high, flat area of land
A mountain range
A small village

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.

Correct Answer:GDP,Total value of goods and services

Total value of goods and services

Correct Answer:water scarcity,Not enough freshwater for people

Not enough freshwater for people

Correct Answer:desalination,Removing salt from seawater

Removing salt from seawater

Correct Answer:dam,Wall built to hold back water

Wall built to hold back water

Correct Answer:conflict,Serious disagreement or fighting

Serious disagreement or fighting

Q2.
Which rivers are most important in the Middle East?

Nile and Thames
Mississippi and Jordan
Correct answer: Tigris and Euphrates
Amazon and Congo

Q3.
Which country has built many desalination plants due to water scarcity?

Canada
Correct answer: Saudi Arabia
Germany
Brazil

Q4.
Which of these statements is not true about the Middle East?

Correct answer: It has no rivers at all
It includes large desert areas
It includes rivers like the Tigris
It faces water scarcity challenges