Chapter 2 - Physical geography of the Arabian Peninsula

Abstract

The Arabian Peninsula lies between latitudes 13° and 32° N and longitudes 35° and 60° E. It forms a part of the great desert belt, which stretches from the Atlantic Ocean, near the coast of northwestern Africa, to the Thar Desert of northwestern India. The Arabian Peninsula—a southwestern projection of Asia—is separated from Africa by the Red Sea, from Iran by the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, and is bounded on the south by the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. It is divided into three main divisions: the Arabian Shield, Arabian Shelf, and Mountains belts. To the northeast the Arabian Peninsula meets the alluvial deposits of the Tigris–Euphrates river system draining the mountains to the north and east. Geomorphology, climate, and the availability of water have influenced human settlement and communications in the Arabian Peninsula. The whole region lies within the arid subtropical zone. During summer the main track of the jet stream controlling the passage of atmospheric depressions lies north of the Pontic Mountains in Turkey. During winter, this track moves southwards and covers the northern Arabian Gulf. Only the Arabian Sea coast benefits to a limited extent from the passage of the monsoon. The lower is the precipitation; the greater is its variability. Settlements in the Arabian Peninsula are restricted to areas of permanent springs and oases to areas where irrigation is possible. In the deserts, a few nomads continue to eke out a precarious existence grazing livestock.