Middle East


The Middle East, as a geographic entity, comprises the lands around the
southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that
extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. Also called
southwestern Asia.

The Middle East includes Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Israel,
Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, the United
Arab Emirates, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

"Middle East" is still not a completely settled term and in some documents
this area can also be referred to as the Near East. In some references,
"Near East" also includes northeastern Africa. Moreover, the list of
countries discussed in the context of Middle East is occasionally extended
due to strong cultural, economic and political relationships to include such
countries as Morocco, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan
and even Greece.

The region is well known for its huge stock of crude oil and for being the
birthplace and spritual centre of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The Middle East is a subregion of Africa-Eurasia.