Spread of Islam Map Activity

Follow along with 15 steps to turn your blank Middle

East map into an information-packed resource

Spread of Islam Map Activity

This activity will identify the city of Mecca, other ancient trade routes on land
and at sea, major trade cities, geographic regions and the areas united under
Islam in the centuries after Muhammad. Keep in mind, the expansion of
Islam occurred gradually. Sometimes it was the result of war or conquest,
other times it was the result of word-of-mouth as traders and caravans did
business throughout the region. This is but a sample.

Spread of Islam Map Activity

Start with this blank

Middle East map, and
follow along with the next
15 steps

Step One
Muhammad was born in
Mecca. Label MECCA
with a CRESCENT MOON
and a STAR

Mecca

Step Two
Most of Arabia was
united under Muslim
Rule. Label Arabia.

AR
Mecca

AB

IA

Step Three
Islam soon spread to
parts of Asia Minor.
Label Asia Minor.

ASIA MINOR

AR
Mecca

AB

IA

Step Four
Islam soon spread to
parts of Africa. Label
Africa.

ASIA MINOR

AR
Mecca
AFRICA

AB

IA

Step Five

EUROPE

Islam would be a threat

to the (Christian)
Byzantines in Europe.
Label Europe.

ASIA MINOR

AR
Mecca
AFRICA

AB

IA

Step Six

EUROPE

Trade Routes would

bring Islam deep into
Asia. Label Asia.

ASIA MINOR

ASIA

AR
Mecca
AFRICA

AB

IA

Step Seven

EUROPE

The Red Sea was a vital

trade route to Africa.
Label the Red Sea

ASIA MINOR

ASIA

RE

AR

SE

AFRICA

Mecca

AB

IA

Step Eight

EUROPE

The Mediterranean Sea

was a vital trade route to
Europe. Label it.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

RE

AR

SE

AFRICA

Mecca

AB

IA

Step Eight

EUROPE

The Mediterranean Sea

was a vital trade route to
Europe. Label it.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

RE

AR

SE

AFRICA

Mecca

AB

IA

Step Nine

EUROPE

The Persian Gulf was a

vital trade route to Asia.
Label the Persian Gulf.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

PE
RS

RE

AR

SE

AFRICA

Mecca

IAN

AB

IA

GU
LF

Step Nine

EUROPE

The Persian Gulf was a

vital trade route to Asia.
Label the Persian Gulf.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

PE
RS

RE

AR

SE

AFRICA

Mecca

IAN

AB

IA

GU
LF

Step Nine

EUROPE

The Arabian Sea allowed

for trade with India.
Label the Arabian Sea.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

Step Ten

EUROPE

Important trade cities

existed in this region. Put
dots by their locations.

ASIA MINOR
MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

ASIA

PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

EUROPE

Step Eleven

Constantinople

Label a few of these trade

cities

ASIA MINOR
Antioch

MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

Jerusalem

Baghdad

ASIA

Alexandria
PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

EUROPE

Step Twelve

Constantinople

Link the land trade routes

between these cities using
dotted lines

ASIA MINOR
Antioch

MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

Jerusalem

Baghdad

ASIA

Alexandria
PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

EUROPE

Step Thirteen

Constantinople

Link the sea trade routes

between these regions
using dotted lines

ASIA MINOR
Antioch

MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

Jerusalem

Baghdad

ASIA

Alexandria
PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

EUROPE

Step Fourteen

Constantinople

Using a colored pencil or

highlighter, shade in the
regions that became
Muslim in the centuries
after Muhammad
ASIA

ASIA MINOR
Antioch

MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

Jerusalem

Baghdad

Alexandria
PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

AR

IA
B
A

SE

EUROPE

Step Fifteen
One the back of
your map, answer
this question:

Constantinople

ASIA MINOR
Antioch

MEDITE

RRANEA
N
SEA

Jerusalem

Baghdad

ASIA

Alexandria
PE
RS

RE

AR

AB

GU
LF

IA

Mecca

SE

AFRICA

IAN

What role did merchants

and traders play in the
spread of Islam?

AR

IA
B
A

SE