Final answer:
The Arabian Peninsula is predominantly arid and desert-like, with the Scandinavian Peninsula being abundant in forests and fjords. This reflects in their climates, landscapes, and economies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Arabian and Scandinavian peninsulas exhibit stark physical contrasts. The Arabian Peninsula features a predominantly arid and desert-like environment, typified by the vast Rub' al-Khali or Empty Quarter, which is one of the most extensive sand deserts in the world. With high temperatures reaching above 120 °F in the summer, minimal rainfall averaging around four inches per annum, and its landscape primarily covered by desert expanses, it stands in stark contrast to the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Conversely, the Scandinavian Peninsula is known for its abundant forests and fjords, with cooler and more varied climates. It has a landscape rich in coniferous forests in the taiga, as well as regions with polar climates along the Arctic Sea coast. The contrast is also notable in their economies; while the Arabian Peninsula greatly relies on the export of oil and natural gas, the Scandinavian countries have a diverse economic base that includes forestry, fishing, and industrial activities.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question regarding the physical contrasts between the Arabian and Scandinavian peninsulas is: C) The Arabian Peninsula is arid and desert-like, while the Scandinavian Peninsula is known for its abundant forests and fjords.