Over the past 80 years, some countries in Southwest Asia have become very wealthy. Other countries have remained fairly poor. What is the main reason for this difference in economic development?

The main reason why some Southwest Asian countries have become wealthy in the last 100 years, while their neighboring countries have not is because of two very important resources: oil and water.

Oil and natural gas has made several countries in the Middle East very rich. Although it may be confusing, the Middle East is also considered to be part of Southwest Asia. Since so many countries have a demand for these resources, countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and Iran have made a lot of money from selling these resources to other countries around the world.

Countries that do not sell a lot of oil are also poor because of the lack of water in their countries, as well. Irrigation is necessary for crops and livestock. The lack of water in the area makes it hard for farmers to produce enough crops to make an adequate living or feed their population. Farmers also have used chemicals and fertilizers that contaminate the little water they have. Access to water has caused a lot of fighting in this area, as well.