PBS Wide Angle: The Saudi Question
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/saudi/index.html
A complicated mix of oil, politics, power, and religion has shaped the nation of Saudi Arabia. This PBS site has articles, interactive maps, and photo essays to help you understand that mix. Learn more about “Who’s Who” in Saudi Arabia through the short biographies of the rulers of the Saud family. Follow the timeline on the homepage to get a sense of the development of this important nation—especially oil exploration and production. This is a fairly large site, so take your time and be sure to use the links to the many additional resources.

PBS Extreme Oil: From Below Ground to the Consumer
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/extremeoil/journey/index.html
This informative PBS site lets you follow the impact of the oil industry on Azerbaijan and Georgia, among other countries. Trace oil’s journey as it is extracted from the ground and pumped thousands of miles in pipelines crossing Southwest Asia. You will learn about oil’s effect on politics, economy, and technology. One section of the site describes the details of oil exploration and production. Other sections cover the historic evolution of this valuable resource.

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture: Cultural Details of Istanbul
http://www.discoverturkey.com/english/yeni/istanbul/istanbul.html
Turkey’s Ministry of Culture offers this overview of the city of Istanbul. Here you will find information about the city’s geographic location and history. The site also investigates major architectural features and culture of modern Istanbul. Emphasis is placed on the historic role of Istanbul as one of the great cities of the world, due in large part to its location. You will also find links to information about other provinces, cities, and regions of Turkey.

Macquarie University—The Mega City of Istanbul: Asian and European City
http://science.uniserve.edu.au/school/curric/stage6/geog/ISTANBUL.pdf
This downloadable PDF file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. While primarily intended for teachers to use in lesson planning, much of the file is also appropriate for students. You will find extensive information about the role of Istanbul as a primate city. Maps, graphs, and well-written text discuss the history, population, geography, and culture of this fascinating city. Discussion and study questions are provided for teacher use or student review.

The Waterpage: Aral Sea
http://www.africanwater.org/aral.htm
The Waterpage discusses a variety of water issues worldwide. This particular page gives a brief overview of the Aral Sea disaster. You will find good reviews of such topics as the sea’s geographic location, an explanation of the crisis, and problems with disease. You can also read about efforts to reverse the destruction that has occurred. Photographs and maps help illustrate the discussion.