Middle East

The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. The term came into widespread usage by Western European nations in the early 20th century as a replacement of the term Near East. The region includes the vast majority of the territories included in the closely associated definition of West Asia, but without the South Caucasus. It also includes all of Egypt (not just the Sinai region) and all of Turkey (including East Thrace).

Most Middle Eastern countries are part of the Arab world. The three most populous countries in the region are Egypt, Iran, and Turkey, while Saudi Arabia is the largest Middle Eastern country by area. The history of the Middle East dates back to ancient times, and it was long considered the "cradle of civilization". The Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) have their origins in the Middle East. Arabs constitute the main ethnic group in the region, followed by Turks, Persians, Kurds, Jews, and Assyrians.

The Middle East generally has a hot, arid climate, especially in the Arabian and Egyptian regions. Several major rivers provide irrigation to support agriculture in limited areas here, such as the Nile Delta in Egypt, the Tigris and Euphrates watersheds of Mesopotamia, and the basin of the Jordan River that spans most of the Levant. These regions are collectively known as the Fertile Crescent. Conversely, the Levantine coast and most of Turkey have relatively temperate climates typical of the Mediterranean, with dry summers and cool, wet winters. Most of the countries that border the Persian Gulf have vast reserves of petroleum.

Terminology

The term "Middle East" started being used in the 1850s within the British India Office. It became more popular in 1902 when United States naval expert Alfred Thayer Mahan used it in an article. Mahan highlighted the region's strategic importance, especially the Persian Gulf, for controlling trade routes.

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

The term "Middle East" has changed over time and can be confusing. Originally, it referred to areas like the Caucasus and parts of Persia. After the Ottoman Empire ended in 1918, the term shifted to include newer countries in the Islamic world. Some scholars and journalists from the region criticize "Middle East" as a term that shows a European or colonial viewpoint.

Different languages have their own versions of these terms. For example, 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 terms reflect the region's importance in global politics and its complex history.

Main articles: Near East, Mashriq, Maghreb

Countries and territory

Further information: List of Middle Eastern countries by population

Traditionally, the Middle East includes places such as Arabia, Asia Minor, East Thrace, Egypt, Iran, the Levant, Mesopotamia, and the Socotra Archipelago. This area has 17 countries recognized by the UN and one area controlled by Britain.

Other ways to think about the Middle East sometimes include nearby areas like the Maghreb in North Africa or even parts of Central Asia. The term "Greater Middle East" was used by leaders in the early 2000s to talk about countries tied 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 located where Africa meets Eurasia and where the Indian Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. It is the birthplace of many important religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. The region has been a key center for world events throughout history.

Long ago, the Middle East was known as the "cradle of civilization." Some of the world's earliest civilizations, such as Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and many others, began in this area. Later, large empires like the Roman Empire and the Islamic Caliphates ruled the region. In more recent times, after World War I, the modern countries of the Middle East began to take shape. Today, the region is very important because of its large amounts of crude oil.

Geography

The Middle East is a region that includes several areas such as the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. People in Western Europe started using the name "Middle East" in the early 1900s to describe this area, instead of calling it the "Near East." This change helped people understand where the region was located between Europe and Asia.

Today, the term "Middle East" can sometimes cause confusion because its meaning has changed over time. Different groups may include or exclude certain countries when they talk about the Middle East. Despite these changes, the region remains very important for its culture, history, and resources.

Economy

The Middle East has a wide range of economies. Some countries, like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, are very wealthy, while others, such as Yemen, face serious economic challenges. In 2023, the biggest economies by total size were Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Israel. When looking at how much money each person makes on average, Qatar leads with the highest income per person.

Many Middle Eastern countries rely heavily on oil exports, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, others, like Israel and Turkey, have more varied economies with many different industries. Tourism is growing in some places, especially in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan, as these countries improve their facilities and make travel easier for visitors. Young people in the region often face challenges finding jobs, with high unemployment rates especially among those aged 15 to 29.

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 is home to many different ethnic groups. Arabs are the largest group, followed by Iranian peoples and Turkic peoples, including Turkish, Azeris, Syrian Turkmen, and Iraqi Turkmen. Other groups include Arameans, Assyrians, Baloch, Berbers, Copts, Druze, Greek Cypriots, Jews, Kurds, Lurs, Mandaeans, Persians, Samaritans, Shabaks, Tats, and Zazas. There are also European groups such as Albanians, Bosniaks, Circassians, Crimean Tatars, Greeks, Franco-Levantines, Italo-Levantines, and Iraqi Turkmens. Additionally, there are migrant populations from China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Pashtuns, Romani, and Afro-Arabs.

Migration

Migration has long been important in the Middle East, helping to balance job markets. Between the 1970s and 1990s, many workers from Egypt, Yemen, and the Levant found jobs in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Europe also attracted young workers from North African countries. Today, there are about 13 million first-generation migrants from Arab nations worldwide, with many contributing to the region's development through remittances. Countries like Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon receive significant financial support from these migrants. Non-Arab countries such as Turkey, Israel, and Iran also experience important migration patterns. Many migrants are from ethnic and religious minorities seeking better opportunities or escaping persecution.

Languages

The Middle East has a rich variety of languages. Arabic is the most widely spoken, official in many countries, with many different dialects. Persian is the second most common, mainly spoken in Iran. Turkish is mainly spoken in Turkey but also in neighboring areas. Kurdish is spoken in several countries, with Sorani Kurdish being an official language in Iraq. Hebrew is the official language of Israel. Greek is an official language in Cyprus, with small communities speaking it across the region. Other languages include English, French, Armenian, Georgian, Russian, Romanian, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, often spoken by migrant communities.

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Middle East

The Middle East is a place of great religious diversity, where many major religions began. Islam is the most widely practiced religion, but other important faiths include Judaism and Christianity. Christian communities play significant roles in countries like Cyprus and Lebanon. Other minority religions in the region include the Baháʼí Faith, Yarsanism, Yazidism, Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, Druze, and Shabakism. Historically, the area was also home to Mesopotamian religions, Canaanite religions, Manichaeism, Mithraism, and various monotheist and gnostic sects.

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 has become more well-known for hosting international sports events. This growth is supported by the region's wealth and its efforts to build a more varied economy.

The South Asian diaspora plays a big role in supporting cricket in the area.