1. Geography of Arabia
The Middle East is home to two major peninsulas, the Arabian and the Anatolian peninsulas.

2. Peninsulas
Arabian Peninsula is made up of several countries including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and Qatar.
The Anatolian Peninsula is made up of the country of Turkey.

3. There are 3 environmental areas in the Arabian Peninsula:
The Jabal al Hijaz mountains rise along Arabia’s west coast to the southern most tip.
There is enough rainfall to support agriculture in this region.
The Al Jabal al-Akhdar mountains are located on the eastern coast of Arabia.
This area is also suitable for agriculture because of fertile soil and adequate rainfall.

4. The Rub’ al Khali Desert
Largest continuous sand area in the world.
Covers ¼ of Saudi Arabia.
Also known as the Empty Quarter because environment is uninhabitable.
Temperatures reach 131°F at noon.

5. The Rub al Khali in Arabia is the desert region.
The inner part of the Arabian peninsula is mostly desert and there are few rivers.
Some deserts have stone cliffs and others have huge hills of sand.
Most people in the Arabian Peninsula live on oases because this is the only area that can support people and agriculture.

6. People of Arabia
Peninsula is named for Arabs, the people who have lived there for over 3000 years.
Caravans of camels and Arab traders traded in cities of the Fertile Crescent and across the Red Sea in Egypt.
Early Arabs domesticated camels for use in the deserts. They can carry heavy loads, go for long periods without water, provide milk to drink.

7. Bedouins Bedouins are nomadic family groups .
They lived mostly in the desert, traveling in caravans, and sleeping in tents.
Became wealthy and powerful by leading caravans.

8. Sabaean Civilization
Lived in mountainous southwestern area in what is today Yemen.
Herded sheep and goats.
Grew grapes and wheat.
Built canals to irrigate and increase harvests.
Traded with Egyptians across the Red Sea.
Archaeologists believe it is the Biblical city of Sheba.
Grew rich in spice trade, and trade of frankincense and myrrh.

9. Nabataea Developed in what is today Jordan. Capital was city of Petra.
Petra was an important stop on trade routes because there were no other well watered place for hundreds of miles.
Aqueducts carried in a large water supply to Petra.
They grew rich from trade with Asia and the Mediterranean.