Environmental Adaptations in the Middle East

Air conditioning helps people adapt to the hot climate by:

• Providing cool air and reducing humidity

• Increasing energy consumption and costs

• Causing environmental pollution

• All of the above

Which architectural features help buildings in the Middle East stay cool?

• Thick walls and small windows

• Large glass facades

• Flat roofs

• Open courtyards

People in Southwest Asia and North Africa protect themselves from the sun by:

• putting on lotion

• using umbrellas

• wearing loose and light clothing

• staying indoors all day

Farmers in mountainous regions of North Africa adapt to the environment to grow crops by:

• using terracing techniques to prevent soil erosion

• relying solely on rainfall without any irrigation

• growing only non-edible plants

• importing all their food from other regions

Desalination is important in the Middle East because it provides a crucial source of fresh water. What is one of the challenges associated with desalination?

• High energy consumption

• Abundance of fresh water

• Low cost

• Simple technology

Oil-rich countries have used their resources to modify their environment and develop modern cities by:

• Investing in infrastructure and technology

• Ignoring environmental concerns

• Focusing solely on oil exports

• Reducing urban development

People living in the Sahara Desert and Atlas Mountains adapt to their harsh environments by:

• Building insulated homes and wearing layered clothing

• Using advanced technology for farming

• Migrating to urban areas during harsh seasons

• Relying on traditional knowledge and resources

What are two major environmental challenges in North Africa and Southwest Asia, and how do people adapt to them?

• Desertification and water scarcity; by using irrigation and desalination

• Deforestation and air pollution; by planting trees and using air purifiers

• Flooding and earthquakes; by building dams and earthquake-resistant structures

• Loss of biodiversity and soil erosion; by creating wildlife reserves and using terracing