How did geography and trade contribute to the growth of the Muslim Empire, the spread of Islam and the achievements of the Golden Age?
From the vast desert rose a powerful empire that turned as golden as the sand it grew on. Why did the Muslim Empire flourish where nothing else would? Because after miles and miles, here and there, were scattered oases. A fresh place with water and vegetation, a Bedouin's paradise. Oases were the only places where people gathered and became central point of trade. Because the Arabian peninsula didn't offer any of a human's necessities, the nomads based their daily life on trading and moving from place to place. Without trade no one would have survived in the harsh conditions. Also, trade spread the Muslim religion and ideas. When trade flourished, nomads settled and built cities around oases, where all their needs were supplied. The leaders had opportunities to conquer, now that the threatening empires such as Rome or the Byzantium were weakened or have already fallen. During the Golden Age they took over North Africa, Spain, Persia, China and India. As they conquered, the Muslim religion and traditions spread. More and more were adopting it. The religion brought the population closer to each other. However the defeated weren't the only ones that changed their ways. Muslims too inspired from the other cultures. They studied their history. They learnt both Greek and Indian mathematics, developing it further. Muslims developed great medicine and architectural achievements. They had outstanding poets and their literature bloomed. During the Golden Age, or the Age of Caliphs, this empire grew rich and powerful. Baghdad became the capital, the Muslims made great advances in math, science. literature, architecture and the Islam empire expanded. They proved that something amazing can grow where other's said nothing ever will.
