Chapter 24: The Middle East "The Euphrates River"

Introduction
Students have read that a valuable but scarce resource in the Middle East is water. As countries try to meet their water needs, they may at the same time deprive other countries of this precious resource. The Euphrates River flows through Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, but which country has the strongest claim on this river water?

Lesson Description
Students will go to The Euphrates River Web site. They will then answer four questions about what they have read.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will learn more about the claims of three nations on the Euphrates River water.
2. Students will better understand the implications of sharing water resources.

Student Activity Answers
1. While 88.7 percent of the total water potential of the Euphrates Basin originates in Turkey, it hopes to use only 35 percent.
2. For Syria the contribution is 11.3 percent versus 22 percent in demand; for Iraq the contribution is nil (zero), while its demand is 43 percent.
3. The demand exceeds the total flow capacity of the river.
4. Students' answers will vary but should mention the importance of regional cooperation, research, and a peaceful settlement of differences.

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