Lesson

Turkey to Afghanistan: Geographic Passport

Students are introduced to the physical geography of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Cyprus. They create a geographic passport of the four countries. Then they identify and compare features of the four countries by creating a map. Finally, students pick a location in the region that they would like to visit and explain why.

Preview the Lesson Back to Southwest Asia and North Africa

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Overview

In this experience, students are introduced to the physical geography of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Cyprus. They create a geographic passport of the four countries. Then they identify and compare features of the four countries by creating a map. Finally, students pick a location in the region that they would like to visit and explain why.

In scenes 2 and 3, students work in small groups, each assigned to research one of the four countries.

Objectives:

Identify the location of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Cyprus and describe their major physical features.
Compare and contrast geographic elements of the four countries.

In this experience, you’re going to explore the geography of the region that includes Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Cyprus.

Objectives:

Identify the location of Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Cyprus and describe their major physical features.
Compare and contrast geographic elements of the four countries.

Locate Turkey, Cyprus, Iran, and Afghanistan on the map above.

Look carefully at the countries and the continents. What do you notice?

Post your answer

As a class, discuss the things that you noticed on the map.

Cyprus is part of Europe, Turkey is part Europe/part Asia, and Iran and Afghanistan are part of Asia.

Students will notice different features of the map. Some may notice that these countries are considered part of the Middle East. Others may state that they have never heard of the country of Cyprus. You may want to make a list of questions that emerge from the conversation and check them off as the class finds answers throughout this experience.

Divide students into their small groups for scenes 2 and 3. Assign each group one of the four countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, or Cyprus. Assign a reporter to upload the result for each group, or tell the students to choose their own reporter.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.

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