Islamic Geographers
Islamic map of the world
As the Islamic Empire expanded into new countries where no Arab had been before, everyone was interested in what these places were like. And later on, people were trading all along the Silk Road to China and across the Sahara in Africa. It was very useful for traders to know what to expect in different places.
Islamic geographers made maps of the world, as the Romans had before them. Can you see how this map represents Europe, Asia, and Africa? North is toward the bottom of the map. The big land mass at the top is Africa. Under Africa to the right is the Mediterranean Sea, and below that is Europe. Under Africa to the left is the Indian Ocean, and between them the Arabian Peninsula. At the far left are India and China. Compare this map to a modern map. Is it accurate? Would it be useful to travelers?
One very famous Arabic geographer from North Africa was Ibn Battuta. He wrote in the 1300s AD.
Why did people want to punch Socrates?
Where did Egyptians bury your liver?
How old are the Rocky Mountains?
What does a half-timbered house look like?
How do you spin wool?
(a project)
Islamic poets
Islamic historians
Islamic philosophers
Main Islamic literature page
Back to main Islam page
Back to main literature page
