Ara·bia /əˈrebiə/
 阿拉伯


 Arabia
      n : a peninsula between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf;
          strategically important for its oil resources [syn: {Arabian
          Peninsula]


 Arabia
    arid, an extensive region in the south-west of Asia. It is
    bounded on the west by the Isthmus of Suez and the Red Sea, on
    the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the east by the Persian
    Gulf and the Euphrates. It extends far into the north in barren
    deserts, meeting those of Syria and Mesopotamia. It is one of
    the few countries of the world from which the original
    inhabitants have never been expelled.

      It was anciently divided into three parts:, (1.) Arabia Felix
    (Happy Arabia), so called from its fertility. It embraced a
    large portion of the country now known by the name of Arabia.
    The Arabs call it Yemen. It lies between the Red Sea and the
    Persian Gulf. (2.) Arabia Deserta, the el-Badieh or "Great
    Wilderness" of the Arabs. From this name is derived that which
    is usually given to the nomadic tribes which wander over this
    region, the "Bedaween," or, more generally, "Bedouin," (3.)
    Arabia Petraea, i.e., the Rocky Arabia, so called from its rocky
    mountains and stony plains. It comprehended all the north-west
    portion of the country, and is much better known to travellers
    than any other portion. This country is, however, divided by
    modern geographers into (1) Arabia Proper, or the Arabian
    Peninsula; (2) Northern Arabia, or the Arabian Desert; and (3)
    Western Arabia, which includes the peninsula of Sinai and the
    Desert of Petra, originally inhabited by the Horites (Gen. 14:6,
    etc.), but in later times by the descendants of Esau, and known
    as the Land of Edom or Idumea, also as the Desert of Seir or
    Mount Seir.

      The whole land appears (Gen. 10) to have been inhabited by a
    variety of tribes of different lineage, Ishmaelites, Arabians,
    Idumeans, Horites, and Edomites; but at length becoming
    amalgamated, they came to be known by the general designation of
    Arabs. The modern nation of Arabs is predominantly Ishmaelite.
    Their language is the most developed and the richest of all the
    Semitic languages, and is of great value to the student of
    Hebrew.

      The Israelites wandered for forty years in Arabia. In the days
    of Solomon, and subsequently, commercial intercourse was to a
    considerable extent kept up with this country (1 Kings 10:15; 2
    Chr. 9:14; 17:11). Arabians were present in Jerusalem at
    Pentecost (Acts 2:11). Paul retired for a season into Arabia
    after his conversion (Gal. 1:17). This country is frequently
    referred to by the prophets (Isa. 21:11; 42:11; Jer. 25:24,
    etc.)



 Arabia, evening; desert; ravens