Middle East

The Middle East is a region that includes the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. The term "Middle East" started being used in the early 1900s by Western European countries, replacing the older term Near East. This area covers most of West Asia, except for the South Caucasus. It also includes all of Egypt (not just the Sinai region) and all of Turkey (including East Thrace).

Most countries in the Middle East are part of the Arab world. The three biggest countries in the region are Egypt, Iran, and Turkey, while Saudi Arabia is the largest by area. The history of the Middle East goes back thousands of years, and it is often called the "cradle of civilization". The major religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam — began here. The main ethnic group is Arabs, followed by Turks, Persians, Kurds, Jews, and Assyrians.

The Middle East usually has a hot, dry climate, especially in the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. Some important rivers help grow food in places like the Nile Delta in Egypt, the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, and the Jordan River in the Levant. These areas are known as the Fertile Crescent. The coast of the Levant and most of Turkey have milder climates typical of the Mediterranean, with dry summers and rainy winters. Many countries near the Persian Gulf have large amounts of petroleum.

Terminology

The term "Middle East" started being used in the 1850s by the British India Office. It became more popular in 1902 when United States naval expert Alfred Thayer Mahan wrote about it. Mahan explained why the area was important, especially the Persian Gulf, for controlling trade routes.

Before World War II, people often used the term "Near East" for areas around Turkey and the Mediterranean. They used "Far East" for East Asian countries like China and Japan. After the war, “Middle East” became more common in Europe and the United States. This happened after the creation of the Middle East Command in the late 1930s and the founding of the Middle East Institute in 1946.

The meaning of “Middle East” has changed over time. It used to refer to areas like the Caucasus and parts of Persia. After the Ottoman Empire ended in 1918, the term began to include newer countries in the Islamic world. Some people in the region feel that “Middle East” shows a European or colonial view.

Different languages have their own words for this region. In French it is “Moyen-Orient,” in Spanish “Oriente Medio or Medio Oriente,” and in Arabic it is “الشرق الأوسط” (ash-Sharq al-Awsaṭ). These words show how important the region is in world politics and its complex history.

Main articles: Near East, Mashriq, Maghreb

Countries and territory

Further information: List of Middle Eastern countries by population

The Middle East includes places such as Arabia, Asia Minor, East Thrace, Egypt, Iran, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Socotra Archipelago. There are 17 countries here recognized by the UN.

Sometimes people think of the Middle East as including nearby areas like the Maghreb in North Africa or parts of Central Asia. The term "Greater Middle East" was used to describe countries linked to the larger Muslim world, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey.

History

Main article: History of the Middle East

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Middle Eastern history.

The Middle East is where Africa meets Eurasia and where the Indian Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. It is the place where important religions began, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The region has been important for world events for a long time.

Long ago, the Middle East was called the "cradle of civilization." Some of the world's first civilizations, like Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, started here. Later, big empires such as the Roman Empire and the Islamic Caliphates ruled the area. After World War I, the modern countries of the Middle East were formed. Today, the region is very important because it has a lot of crude oil.

Geography

The Middle East is a region that includes areas such as the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. People in Western Europe began using the name "Middle East" in the early 1900s. They used this name instead of "Near East" to show where the region is located between Europe and Asia.

Today, the term "Middle East" can sometimes be confusing. Its meaning has changed over time. Different groups may think of different countries when they talk about the Middle East. Even so, the region is very important for its culture, history, and resources.

Economy

The Middle East has many different kinds of economies. Some countries, like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, are very rich. Others, such as Yemen, have big money problems. In 2023, the biggest economies were Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel. Qatar has the most money for each person.

Many Middle Eastern countries sell a lot of oil, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But Israel and Turkey have many kinds of jobs. Tourism is growing in places like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan. Young people sometimes have trouble finding jobs.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Middle East

See also: Largest metropolitan areas of the Middle East

Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in the Middle East

The Middle East has many different ethnic groups. Arabs are the largest group. Other groups include Iranian peoples, Turkic peoples such as Turkish, Azeris, Syrian Turkmen, and Iraqi Turkmen. There are also Arameans, Assyrians, Baloch, Berbers, Copts, Druze, Greek Cypriots, Jews, Kurds, Lurs, Mandaeans, Persians, Samaritans, Shabaks, Tats, and Zazas. Smaller groups include Albanians, Bosniaks, Circassians, Crimean Tatars, Greeks, Franco-Levantines, Italo-Levantines, and Iraqi Turkmens. There are also people from China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Pashtuns, Romani, and Afro-Arabs.

Migration

Many people have moved to the Middle East looking for work or better lives. In the past, workers from Egypt, Yemen, and the Levant found jobs in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Europe also attracted workers from North Africa. Today, many people from Arab nations live in other countries, sending money home to help their families. Countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon receive this money. Turkey, Israel, and Iran also see people moving in and out.

Languages

The Middle East has many languages. Arabic is the most common language, spoken in many countries with different dialects. Persian is mainly spoken in Iran. Turkish is spoken in Turkey and nearby areas. Kurdish is spoken in several countries. Hebrew is the official language of Israel. Greek is an official language in Cyprus. Other languages include English, French, Armenian, Georgian, Russian, Romanian, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, often spoken by people who moved to the region.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Middle East

The Middle East is a place where many religions began. Islam is the most common religion. Other important religions include Judaism and Christianity. Christian communities are found in countries like Cyprus and Lebanon. Other smaller religions in the area include the Baháʼí Faith, Yarsanism, Yazidism, Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, Druze, and Shabakism. Long ago, the region was also home to many other beliefs.

Culture

See also: Arab culture, Culture of Iran, Kurdish culture, Culture of Turkey, Culture of Israel, and Culture of Cyprus

Sport

See also: Muscular Islam

The Middle East is becoming better known for hosting international sports events. This growth is helped by the region's wealth and its work to build a more varied economy.

The South Asian diaspora helps support cricket in the area.