Ancient writers divided the country into three strongly contrasted regions.

The first, or coast tract, was (they said) a sandy desert, producing nothing but a few dates, owing to the intensity of the heat.

Above this was a fertile region, grassy, with well-watered meadows and numerous vineyards, enjoying a delicious climate, producing almost every fruit but the olive, containing pleasant parks or "paradises," watered by a number of limpid streams and clear lakes, well wooded in places, affording an excellent pasture for horses and for all sorts of cattle, abounding in water-fowl and game of every kind, and altogether a most delightful abode.

Beyond this fertile region, towards the north, was a rugged mountain tract, cold and mostly covered with snow, of which they did not profess to know much.
In this description there is no doubt a certain amount of truth; but it is mixed probably with a good deal of exaggeration.

There is no reason to believe that the climate or character of the country has undergone any important alteration between the time of Nearchus or Strabo and the present day.