Geography of the Arabian Peninsula

VOCABULARY CHAPTER 7/ FRANKLIN

ENVIRONMENTThe physical characteristics of a place, including climate and vegetation

The desert environment is hot and dry with little plant life.

ADAPTATIONChanges in a way of life that help people survive in a certain environment

Terracing is an adaptation that allows people to farm and build on a mountain slope.

OASISAn area with fresh water within the desert

In an oasis environment, people can grow fruit trees and other food.

NOMADA person who moves from place to place, often in search of water or food

Nomads adapt to the dry desert environment by traveling between water sources.

CARAVANA group of people traveling together in the desert for mutual protection, often with camels or other pack animals

Caravans brought trade goods across Asia to the Arabian Peninsula.

SEDENTARYSettled permanently in one place

Farmers have a sedentary lifestyle.

IRRIGATETo bring water to a dry place in order to grow crops

On the coastal plain, people built wells, dams, and systems to irrigate the land.

TERRACEA flat strip of land on a hillside used for growing crops.

People in the mountains farmed the slopes by creating step-like terraces.