The Arab Caliphate refers to a series of Islamic states led by a caliph, who is considered a political and religious successor to the Prophet Muhammad. The first caliphate, known as the Rashidun Caliphate, was established after Muhammad's death in 632 CE and expanded rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and parts of Europe and Asia. Subsequent caliphates, such as the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates, further extended the influence of Islam and Arabic culture. The Abbasid Caliphate, in particular, is known for its advancements in science, philosophy, and the arts, with Baghdad becoming a major center of learning during the Islamic Golden Age.