1. Geography of Arabian Peninsula

2. Desert Clothing Men wore-loose fitting, ankle length gowns called a thawb. Men wore-loose fitting, ankle length gowns called a thawb. The thawb created air currents as the person moved. The thawb created air currents as the person moved. The male headdress, or ghutra, was used for protection from dust, heat, and flies. The male headdress, or ghutra, was used for protection from dust, heat, and flies. Women wore long-sleeve gowns that reached their feet. Women wore long-sleeve gowns that reached their feet.

3. Desert Shelter Arabian nomads lived in tents. Arabian nomads lived in tents. Usually made of black goat’s hair. Usually made of black goat’s hair. Few furnishings so it could be easily moved. Few furnishings so it could be easily moved.

4. Desert Transportation The Camel: The Camel: Can shut its nostrils against windblown sand. Can shut its nostrils against windblown sand. Three eyelids to flick away any sand that gets in its eyes. Three eyelids to flick away any sand that gets in its eyes. Leather padded feet so that it won’t sink in the sand. Leather padded feet so that it won’t sink in the sand. Can eat almost anything Can eat almost anything Can go 2 to 3 days at a time without water. Can go 2 to 3 days at a time without water.

5. Oases Vegetation Needed water only for its roots Needed water only for its roots Dates used for food, trunk for firewood, beams for building houses, leaves for thatch, and the fibers for rope. Dates used for food, trunk for firewood, beams for building houses, leaves for thatch, and the fibers for rope. The trunk was also hallowed out and used for irrigation pipes. The trunk was also hallowed out and used for irrigation pipes.

6. Oases Centers for Trade Life giving water and green pasture for camel herds. Life giving water and green pasture for camel herds. Nomads used them as rest stops. Nomads used them as rest stops. Nomads purchased camel products there. Nomads purchased camel products there. Camel trains stopped there for Myrrh and frankincense, which were only found in Arabia. Camel trains stopped there for Myrrh and frankincense, which were only found in Arabia.

7. Coastal Plains Coastal plain Cities Coastal plain Cities Maritime trade Maritime trade Coastal routes hugged the shore so they could stop for water, provisions and trade. Coastal routes hugged the shore so they could stop for water, provisions and trade. Each port had a link to an inland caravan route. Each port had a link to an inland caravan route.

8. Coastal Plains Coast v. Interior Coast v. Interior Rich agriculture Rich agriculture Strong agriculture equaled complex civilizations. Strong agriculture equaled complex civilizations.

9. Mountains Rain for agriculture: Rain for agriculture: Terraces farmers often built raised banks of earth on the step mountain sides so that rainwater could be used to irrigate crops. Terraces farmers often built raised banks of earth on the step mountain sides so that rainwater could be used to irrigate crops.

10. Mountains Mountain Communities Mountain Communities The mountains tended to seal the people off from the desert. The mountains tended to seal the people off from the desert. Isolation- preserved their customs for hundreds of years. Isolation- preserved their customs for hundreds of years.