Ich statement best explains why water is unevenly distributed in the middle east? a. mountains prevent rain from reaching inland areas. b. countries divert water to the most populated areas. c. rivers and lakes are scattered throughout the region. d. countries with rivers and freshwater lakes hoard water.

Water is unevenly distributed in the Middle East because A. mountains prevent rain from reaching inland areas.

The mountain ranges are geological features that present a lot of problems ranging from volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. Another challenge of mountains in most areas especially in Middle East is the fact that the high mountains ranges lead to scattered rainfall. The mountains provide weather barrier for rain allowing rain to fall on one side (windward side) while the other side remains dry (leeway side). This is called the rain shadow.  

The Middle East hosts mountain ranges with varying heights exceeding 9 feet while some peak maybe 19 feet. An example where mountains trap water on one side is in the case of Elburz Mountains near Caspian Sea. The mountains provide a barrier for clouds moving southwards only increasing rain in the north.