In 3 to 5 sentences discuss how economics and the physical geography of North Africa and Southwest Asia are related.

       Despite being apart of two different continents, North Africa and Southwest Asia have a very similar economy, as well as physical geography. Both of these regions have an arid and semi-arid climates. Unfortunately, they both have infertile soil, and lack water, making it difficult for them to develop agriculturally. Luckily, both North Africa and Southwest Asia are abundant in natural resources like, oil and petroleum. Their abundance of natural resources has shaped their economies for the better. It just so happens that oil and petroleum are considerably valuable, and highly demanded around the world. This brings in a great deal of money into each of these nations. With the money they are receiving, they are able to ship in other goods that these regions aren't naturally able to supply them selves.

the roman republic began to expand when rome fought the punic wars and defeated carthage. the punic wars refer to the series of 3 wars fought among rome and carthage, before it ended in carthage's defeat.