Reasons for Successful Oil Production

The map in the textbook highlighted the small regions in the Middle East that were the highest in oil producing. By looking at the topographical map, one can see that all of these areas are flat, and either next to a large body of water or river. I can think of a few reasons for this pattern. Oil is the biggest source of money and wealth in the area. This results in it being in great demand. If an area of land is rich in oil, then that land becomes in high demand. If everyone were to gravitate towards the oil, then there will no longer be any oil left, or it will cause chaos and slow the production. Perhaps, the reason that those areas are so successful in their production, is because they are protected by water. The water provides a secluded area to produce oil.

This can go hand in hand with what the book said about the population of areas with high oil production, the population of these areas is usually low. Because these areas are mostly flat terrain, the primary economy of the areas is probably agriculture. This would make the areas more rural and not as populated. Oil reserves are easier to maintain in a rural and lowly populated environment, rather than cities and towns. This is why small, lower populated areas produce more oil.