| We will start with the definition of caravan. A | | | | airplane, the hardship of crossing the desert on |
| caravan is a group of travelers or merchants | | | | foot or on came, has evolved to driving the truck |
| banded together and organized for joint support | | | | to the marketplace to sell your goods. This is |
| and protection while traveling through unsettled or | | | | evident when you go to the flea markets of |
| unfriendly country. Caravan trade, however, is | | | | today, there are numerous vendors (what could |
| associated with the history of the Middle East as | | | | have been called merchant caravans in middle |
| far back as the records of ancient civilizations | | | | east history) that travel from town to town |
| extend. The caravan trade was very well | | | | bringing there goods to sell, trade or barter. |
| developed before the idea of sea commerce was | | | | Webster's dictionary defines caravan as: "a |
| ever considered. | | | | company of travelers on a journey through |
| The history of the caravan trades people has | | | | desert or hostile regions", "a group of vehicles |
| shown how well organized these groups of people | | | | traveling together in a file", and "a covered wagon |
| were. The caravans crossed great distances | | | | or motor vehicle equipped as traveling living |
| across the unsettled desert trails, with little or no | | | | quarters". As you can see by this definition, the |
| protection from the local governments. | | | | term caravan has evolved into the 21st century. |
| The main modes of transportation were camels | | | | Just look around and you will see motor home |
| throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Camels could | | | | caravans, semi-truck caravans, motorcycle |
| withstand the desert heat, and go numerous days | | | | caravans, all of these groups are traveling from |
| without water, | | | | one destination to another. |
| The caravans were fundamental for the trade | | | | So hop in your Dodge Caravan and go for a ride. |
| industry to prosper. The caravans worked under | | | | How much merchandise can you fit into it? Gather |
| the regulation of the Arabian Empire. The Empire | | | | up some friends that have a Dodge Caravan and |
| controlled their routes and tried to afford them | | | | you could be caravan (a group of travelers on a |
| some protection. | | | | journey). |
| After the introduction of the motor truck and the | | | | |