The Arabian Peninsula Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain

Objectives Identify the Arabian Peninsula on a blank map. Label the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf on a blank map. Explain central beliefs of Islam. Describe a Hajj. Describe the Kaaba. Explain the purpose of OPEC. Discuss women’s lives in Saudi Arabia. Describe how Saudi Arabia is both a traditional country and a modern country.

Terms and Places Arabian Peninsula is the large peninsula in southwest Asia. The Red Sea is the sea to the west of the Arabian Peninsula. Mecca is the holy city of Muslims. The Persian Gulf is the sea to the east of the Arabian Peninsula. The Kaaba is the cubical building in Mecca holy to Muslims. A Hajj is a pilgrimage to the Kaaba. Nomadic means “wandering” or “migrating.” OPEC is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Arabian Peninsula Red Sea Persian Gulf

North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula are united by a common language.

This is the Arabian Peninsula. It lies between two bodies of water.

Red Sea Persian Gu lf Meanwhile, something was going on out in the Arabian Peninsula. The Nefud is a stony desert to the north

Red Sea Persian Gu lf The Najd is a plateau that offers some grazing.

Red Sea Persian Gu lf The “Empty Quarter” is a desert of sand in the south. It contains some of the deepest sand in the world, sometimes 600 feet deep.

Many townspeople live along the Red Sea.

This population map shows that the desert is almost empty of people. The people of the Arabian Peninsula live mostly along the coasts. An important exception would be Riyadh, the largest city in Saudi Arabia.

Nomads are people that constantly travel. NomadsTownsfolk Nomads are part of a tribe. The tribe gives them a sense of identity and some protection. Townsfolk may live as merchants, artisans, or laborers. The towns have places called bazaars, where goods were sold. But while many towns still look like that above, the image of the Arabian city is changing. The new, modern cities are being funded by oil. Some are herders, looking for new pastures for their animals. Two types of lifestyles traditionally existed here. Others may be merchants carrying goods in caravans.

Oil brings a huge amount of money to the Arabian Peninsula. This results in some of the world’s most modern cities.

Four out of the seven tallest buildings in the World are in Arabian nations.

This contrast is just one way in which Arabian nations are a mixture of the traditional and the modern.

Several countries of north Africa and southwest Asia are members of an organization named OPEC. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

The people of the Arabia do not live in a democracy. They do not vote. The Saudi Royal Family has ruled Arabians for many years. Members of Saudi Arabia’s Council are not elected; they are appointed by the king. Saudi Arabia’s Council cannot actually pass laws. They can only advise the king. Here’s another way in which Saudi Arabia is a mixture of traditional and western.

The law in Saudi Arabia is not codified – essentially it isn’t written down. The law is therefore unclear to citizens. Legal decisions in court are mostly up to a single judge’s opinion. Criminal punishments in Saudi Arabia include public beheading, stoning, amputation and lashing. Serious criminal offences include not only murder, rape, theft and robbery, but also leaving the Muslim faith, adultery, and witchcraft.

Women in Saudi Arabia are not legally equal to men.

Shia or Shiite Moslem Sunni Moslem Non-Moslem Religions Ibadhi Moslem Iran Saudi Arabia Oman EgyptLibya People who are members of Islam are called Moslems. Islam is the main religion of this area. Algeria

The world “saline” means salt water. To “de-saline-ate” means to take the salt out. Saudi Arabia has very little fresh water. The nation relies on huge desalination plants to change sea water into fresh water. Growth of desalination in Saudi Arabia

Which is the Arabian Peninsula? What is the name of this body of water? The Mediterranean Sea The Red Sea The Persian Gulf The Arabian Sea What is the name of this body of water? The Mediterranean Sea Gulf of Aden The Persian Gulf The Arabian Sea What is the name of this body of water? The Mediterranean Sea Gulf of Aden The Persian Gulf The Arabian Sea

How do people become members of the Saudi Arabian Council? They inherit the position from their fathers. They are elected by a majority of the male voters. They are appointed by the king. They are elected by a majority of male and female voters. How does Saudi Arabia get its water? From very deep wells From desalinization From Lake Nissad From a dammed river What is the Empty Quarter? An unpopulated desert of very deep sand

Please read “Saudi Arabia.” World Studies: Asia. Pearson-Prentice- Hall, pg. 200 And “Southwest Asia” World Studies: Asia. Pearson-Prentice- Hall, pg. 35.