Introduction
Welcome to the Eastern Mediterranean! This astounding region is composed of some amazing cities, features, and characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Central Asia. Today, you will learn about the physical geography and how it affects the people who live there. During the course of this project, you will further your knowledge in some of the landforms, seas, rivers, climates, vegetation, and resources found in this amazing and gorgeous area. You will be given an in depth look at the unique countries of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Cyprus.
Task
Our final goal for this project is to educate you in the physical geography of the Eastern Mediterranean. In the process, you will either create a beautiful map of the area portraying features in the region, or make a power point on the same subject The map will include a key for major resources and landforms, a large tracing of the countries, and facts about the region on the side or near a specific area. In the power point, you will write down facts and include pictures. Then, you will print it out, hole punch, and clip it together binder rings. The outcome should be similar to the one Jack and his group made on Poland and the Baltic States. If you would like to see it for reference purposes, it is hanging in the upper corner of the room, directly adjacent to Ms. Stinson's desk. You will complete this task by researching several questions that we will assign you online. For extra credit, research land uses for the Eastern Mediterranean and include it in your project.
Process
You will answer a series of questions using websites that we will provide you with below. The answers must be included in your final project, whether it be in a Powerpoint or in a caption on a map. Simply copy and paste the URLs into your searchbar and locate the answers.
Here are the websites and cooresponding questions:
1. You have decided to take a walk in Israel. It is a hot summer day, and you look at the thermometer. What is the average temperature for this time of year?
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/europe/e_med_past.html
2. You live in Syria, and you have come down to the Euphrates River. You sit on the bank and watch the water flow by. What are four of the plants and animals that you may see?
http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/151911/
3. While walking around the streets of Syria, you notice the pleasant weather. What is the name of the climate?
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/major-landforms-syria-63558.html
4. Like many other tourists to the region, you can't help but marvel at the mountain ranges and there gorgeous peaks. What are three ranges that can be seen in Syria?
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/major-landforms-syria-63558.html
5. While on a tour of the region, the native guide speaks of a great desert. He says that it spans from Syria to Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. What desert is he talking about?
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/major-landforms-syria-63558.html
6. You are a sailor who is charting major rivers in the area. Which two highly important ones meet near the Persian Gulf?
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/major-landforms-syria-63558.html
7. You are a store owner in Jerusalem. The temperature rises to almost unbearable heat in the summer, but you know that the temperature is nothing in comparison with the hottest area in the region. What is this area called?
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/middle-east/geography-of-israel1.htm
8. Conserving water in israel is of utmost importance. During what season do most of the region's rivers flow?
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/middle-east/geography-of-israel1.htm
9. On a hot day, you decide to take a nice dip in the Dead Sea, "the lowest elevation on Earth." How many feet below sea level is the Dead Sea?
http://geography.howstuffworks.com/middle-east/geography-of-israel1.htm
10. Before departing from Turkey, you buy a postcard with an illustration of the two mountain ranges found in the area. What are they?
http://www.mrliotta.com/World%20History/Eastern%20Hemisphere%20WKBK/wge…
11. You are taking a cruise through the Black Sea. The captain informs the passengers through the speaker system on the ship that they are about to begin the cross into the Sea of Marmara. How is this possible and through what body of water is the boat crossing?
http://www.mrliotta.com/World%20History/Eastern%20Hemisphere%20WKBK/wge…
12. The Euphrates and the Tigris rivers both flow into this large landform, which is located in the southeastern part of Turkey and its neibors. What is this rich and plentiful region called? http://traveltips.usatoday.com/landforms-country-turkey-104065.html
13. You are sailing south of Turkey to the island of Cyprus. After time, you begin to see the Mountain range in the northern section of this country. what is this mountian range called? http://www.kypros.org/CyprusPanel/cyprus/geography.html
14. You have stayed in the Eastern Medditerranean for many days now, and have traveled over the region. WHat are the three major groups of plants that you have seen? https://worldwildlife.org/ecoregions/pa1207
Evaluation
| 1 Point | 2 Points | 3 Points | 4 Points | 5 Points | |
| Neatness | The final copy is very sloppy and not organized. | The final copy is somewhat sloppy and not very organized. | The final copy is mediocre. and somewhat organized. | The final copy is somewhat neat and fairly organized. | The final copy is neat to very neat and organized. |
| Creativity | The final copy is not creative and unoriginal. | The final copy is not very creative and somewhat unoriginal. | The final copy is fairly creative and original. | The final copy is creative and original to some degree. | The final copy is very creative and original |
| Information | (1-2) The final copy isn't complete on time, doesn't answer the questions, and is of low quality. | (3-4) The final copy doesn't answer the questions completely and isn't very high quality | (5-6) The final copy answers the questions to some degree and is of mediocre quality. | (7-8) The final copy nearly completely answers the questions and is of good quality. | (9-10) The final copy is on time, answers the questions completely, and is of high quality. |
You will be judged on your neatness, creativity, and information. The last category encompasses and will grade you on: 1. If you included all of the answers to the questions we provided you with. 2. If you completed the project on time. 3. If you followed all the instructions. 4. The overall quality of the finished product. Also, the last category is worth more (in terms of points) that the others. Instead of being 1 point, the information column is worth 1-2 points, and so on and so on.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope that you learned about the physical geography of the Eastern Mediterranean Region through a fun project. We hope that we were able to educate you on the climate (Mediterranean), water sources (such as the Tigris and the Euphrates), landforms (like the majestic mountains found in the region), and possibly the land uses of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Cyprus. Thank you for participating in our Webquest, and maybe someday you will be able to visit this amazing place.
Credits
Here is our works cited:
"Gilboa Walk - Day 2 10K Gilboa Mountain Israel." About.com Walking. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"NASA Visible Earth: Smoke and Dust Over Eastern Mediterranean." NASA Visible Earth: Smoke and Dust Over Eastern Mediterranean. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"Eastern Mediterranean: Past Weather and Climate." Met Office: Eastern Mediterranean: Past. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"Eastern Mediterranean Conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf Forests." Eastern Mediterranean Conifer-sclerophyllous-broadleaf Forests. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"Landforms in the Country of Turkey." Travel Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"CYPRUS GEOGRAPHY." GEOGRAPHY OF CYPRUS. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"Major Landforms of Syria." Travel Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"HowStuffWorks "Geography of Israel - Physical Geography"" HowStuffWorks. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
N.p., n.d. Web.
"Eastern Mediterranean Political Map." National Geographic Store. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
"Erin's Adventures in Israel." : Gan Guru. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.
