1. Islam and Geography

2. Deserts Only a small strip of fertile land in south of Saudi Arabia
Few oases
The rest is Desert

4. Bedouins Nomads who live in the desert Organized into tribes and clans
Clans give security and support since they live in extreme conditions
Defended themselves from other clans who wanted water, grazing territory, livestock or food supplies

7. Islamic Way of Life Bedouin valued
Courage
Loyalty to family
Warrior skills
This would lead to Islamic way of life

8. Trade Routes
Many trade routes connected Arabia to major ocean and land trade routes
Extreme south of the peninsula
To the Byzantine in the north
Caravan routes went to the Silk Roads in the east
Transported spices to the west

10. Mecca Located in Saudi Arabia Important stop on trade routes
During holy months, caravans stopped in Mecca and this brought religious pilgrims who came to worship at the Kaaba

12. Kaaba
* Over the years many different gods and spirits were introduced here
Had over 360 idols brought by many tribes