Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Period: ________________
Geography of Arabia
Aim:_____________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Mediterranean Sea
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Use the maps on pages 261 and 989 in your textbook to identify the following geographic features and cities
and label the map above.
Constantinople (261)
Rome (261)
Egypt (261)
Jerusalem (261)
Mecca (261)
Red Sea (261, 989)
Arabian Desert (261)
Persian Gulf (261, 989)
Mediterranean Sea (261, 989)
Arabian Peninsula (989)
Zagros Mountains (989)
Caucasus Mountains (989)
Arabian Sea (261, 989)
Tigris River (989)
Euphrates River (989)
• Now that you have labeled your map, what civilizations, religions or cultures that we have previously
studied do you think may have an influence on the people of the Arabian Peninsula?
Arabian Peninsula
Climate:
• Based on the climate of the Arabian Peninsula, what resources do think would be valuable to people living in
this area?
Oasis:
Silk Road:
• What advantages does the Arabian Peninsula have over other regions of the Silk Road?
Bedouin Tribes
Prior to the birth of Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited primarily by independent Arab clans.
Nomadic herders, called Bedouins, adapted to the conditions of the desert. Using camels, they crossed and
recrossed long stretches of blistering, sandy desert in search of seasonal pasturelands. In this rugged
environment, the Bedouins developed a strong tradition of hospitality and generosity toward travelers. At the
same time they acquired a strong sense of clan solidarity. Each clan developed it own unique gods that were
worshipped by the people of that clan. Raids on scarce grazing territories led to frequent warfare.
• What resources did the Bedouin tribes fight over?
• Were the Bedouin people polytheistic or monotheistic? Why?
Mecca
Bedouins regularly traded with other Arabs who had settled in oasis towns like Mecca in western Arabia. This
trade helped support a thriving economy. Mecca was a bustling market town at the crossroads of two main
caravan routes. Silks, spices, and other luxuries passed through the bazaars of Mecca.
Mecca was also a thriving pilgrimage center. Arabs came to pray at the Kaaba, and ancient shrine that
Muslims today believe was built by the prophet Abraham. Before the birth of Islam, the Kaaba housed statues
of many local gods and goddesses. The pilgrim traffic brought good profits to the local merchants.
• What are two reasons that the city of Mecca was important to the early people of the Arabian Peninsula?