1. Geography of the Arabian Peninsula

2. Physical Features Physical Features Vast deserts dotted by oases.
Coastal plains line the southern and western coasts.
Mountain ranges divide coastal plains from deserts

3. Physical Features Deserts ¾ Arabian Peninsula is covered by desert
Very harsh environment

4. Physical Features Deserts Summer temp to 120°F
Winter temp below freezing
Annual rainfall 3-4 inches
Droughts last for years
When rains, violent storms causing flash floods

5. Physical Features Deserts Many sudden and blinding windstorms
Sometimes create dunes 800ft high
Remember, Space Needle – 638ft.

6. Physical Features Oasis
Provide plant life and shade as well as water in a desert
Occur because water has been trapped underground
Water seeps to surface

7. Physical Features Coastal Plain Runs along the coasts of the peninsula
Separates inland plateaus from the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf
Suitable for farming
Deep wells and dams allow irrigation
Grains, fruits and vegetables
Tree sap makes myrth and frankincense
A lot of sea and caravan trade

8. Physical Features Mountains Divide coastal plain from desert
Rise up to 12,000 ft in elevation
Craggy mountains
20 inches of annual rainfall
Cool temperatures
Gets frosty in winter

9. Cities to Know
Mecca
Lies about 45 miles inland from the Red Sea and on the western edge of the desert

10. Cities to Know Mecca Has been in existence since before 2,000 B.C.E.
Where Muhammad was raised

11. Cities to Know
Medina
An Oasis city dating back to at least 600 B.C.E.

12. Avenues of Trade International Trade
Both cities were crossroads on the busy trade routes
Camel caravans carried perfumes, ivory, spices, silk, precious metals and many other tradable items

13. Back to Africa

14. Bedouins
Bedouins
Groups of nomadic Arab people who made the desert their home
Herded sheep, camels and goats
Followed planned routes from one oasis to another
Also acted as guides for caravans
Sometimes raided a caravan and stole the trade goods.
Meccan traders often made agreements with Bedouins to protect their goods