1. Makkah (Mecca) Mecca became the largest and richest trading city in Saudi Arabia.

2. Kaaba In the center of Mecca, the Kaaba is a low square building. Arabs believe that inside the Kaaba is a stone that came from heaven (the “black stone”).

3. Madinah (Medina) A holy city to Muslims. It is where Muhammad led his followers after people became angry with him in Mecca.

4. Bedouin Nomad and herders who travel from oasis to oasis in search of food and water.

5. Muhammad The founder of the Islamic religion. He was born in Mecca in 570 CE (AD). He was a trader who Muslims believe was told by an angel named Gabriel that he was going to be a prophet of God. Muslims call their God Allah.

6. Oasis Green grassy areas in the desert that are fed by underground springs.

7. Sheikh The head of a nomadic tribe

8. caravan A group of traveling merchants and animals

9. Quran (Koran) Muslims wrote down the messages that Muhammad said he received from Allah (God). This book became known as the Quran (Koran).