During the Golden Age from the 7th to 13th centuries, the Islamic Empire became a center of trade, science, and culture. Its trade networks extended from Western Europe and North Africa to East Asia, promoting globalization. Major scientific advances were made in fields like medicine, math, and optics by scholars such as Avicenna, Al-Khwarizmi, and Alhazen. Architecturally, buildings like the Alhambra palace and Dome of the Rock featured intricate geometric designs. Literature and art also flourished as the empire expanded across three continents.