The Cambridge Geographical Series originated in the late nineteenth century as a means of providing introductory guides to a broad variety of topics. In this volume, which was first published in 1905, the focus is on the information gathered by medieval Arab, Persian and Turkish geographers, who described the Mesopotamia and Persia, together with the nearer parts of central Asia. The text is consummately researched, quoting from a broad range of sources, and containing numerous maps of the area during different periods. Written with the general reader in mind, this is a highly readable book that will be of value to anyone with an interest in the Middle East or historical geography.