The Arabian Peninsula

Countries of the Arabian Peninsula

• Saudi Arabia• Kuwait• Qatar• Bahrain• United Arab Emirates • Oman• Yemen

The Bedouins are nomadic desert dwellers that have lived on the Arabian

Peninsula for thousands of years

They adapted to the harsh conditions of the desert & built a

culture based on strong family ties.

Islam Means to submit to the will of God in Arabic

Followers of Islam are called Muslims

Muhammad Muhammad is the founder of Islamic laws

& teachings. (it is forbidden for any likeness of Muhammad to be made)

Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca around 570 AD. Muslims believe that he is the last Prophet to be sent down by God. They believe in Moses & Jesus, but think they were Prophets just like Muhammad.

Koran Islamic Holy Book

5 Pillars of Islambasics of Islamic laws & teachings

• Pray 5 Times a day toward the city of Mecca

• Believe in one god (Allah) and Muhammad was his last profit

• Pay alms

• Make a pilgrimage to Mecca called the Hajj

• Celebrate Ramadan (fast during daylight)

Hajj, is the pilgrimage to Mecca

Kabba (located in Mecca) The foundation of the Kabba is said to have

been built by Abraham

Pray 5 Times a Day toward Mecca

Mosque Islamic House of worship

The Spread of IslamArabic language & Islamic teaching & culture spread across the Middle East from the Arabian Peninsula

The governments of lands controlled by Muslims were

theocratic. This means religious leaders control the government.

How are theocracies different than democracies (like we have

in America)?

The principal resource in the economy of the Arabian

Peninsula is oil.

Most of the worlds oil comes from the Arabian Peninsula.

OPEC

• Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

• Purpose of OPEC is to help members control worldwide oil prices by adjusting pil prices and production quotas

• OPEC is a powerful force in international Trade

Country RegionJoined OPEC[24]

Population(July 2008)[25] Area (km²)[26]

Algeria Africa 1969 33,779,668 2,381,740

 Angola Africa 2007 12,531,357 1,246,700

 EcuadorSouth America

2007[A 1] 13,927,650 283,560

Iran Middle East 1960[A 2] 75,875,224 1,648,000

Iraq Middle East 1960[A 2] 28,221,180 437,072

 Kuwait Middle East 1960[A 2] 2,596,799 17,820

Libya Africa 1962 6,173,579 1,759,540

 Nigeria Africa 1971 158,259,000 923,768

 Qatar Middle East 1961 824,789 11,437

 Saudi Arabia Middle East 1960[A 2] 28,146,656 2,149,690

 United Arab Emirates Middle East 1967 4,621,399 83,600

 Venezuela South America

1960[A 2] 26,414,816 912,050

Total 369,368,429 11,854,977 km²

Petroleum that has not been processed is called crude oil

Crude oil pumped from the ground must be moved to a refinery, where it is converted

into useful products like gasoline

Why is America dependent on this area of the world?

Major cities of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai, UAE

Skyline of Dubai

Man made islands

Islands like world

Only 7 Star hotel in world

Largest Water Park in the World