Middle East Asia. Arab countries

Officially, there is no such thing as "countries of the East". Although formally this term is used everywhere, including in the media. Since our site is devoted to this topic, it is important for us to specifically determine the list of countries of the East that should be written about here. It is interesting for us to understand under this term those countries that have corresponding traditions, philosophy, religion, culture. However, if you rely on geographical characteristics, then we can confidently include the entire Asian region in the list of countries of the East. So this is:

Near East: Bahrain, Israel, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, UAE, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Syria.
Northeast Asia: Macao, Taiwan, Tibet, Korea, Mongolia, .
Southeast Asia: , East Timor, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, .
South Asia: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, .

In addition, one can speak with confidence about the eastern mentality of some of the nationalities of Russia.

“Islam” is translated as “obedience to Allah”. Adherents of the religion of Islam call themselves "Muslim", which in Arabic essentially means "devoted to Allah." In Russian, this word was transformed into the word "Muslim". Let's bring brief principles and differences in Islam.

The Middle East occupies one of the central places in modern political map peace. Its special position is connected both with objective economic and demographic reasons, and with historical conditions.

History of the region

The Middle East is the birthplace of human civilization. It was on the territory of this region, namely modern Iraq, that the first city-states arose, which became the basis for all subsequent European civilization. Sumerian urban culture endowed mankind with writing, organized religion and one of the forms of statehood, which had a tremendous impact on the course of the history of all mankind. The civilized state, as we know it, appeared precisely in Sumer.

The Middle East was also the place where the first centers of agriculture appeared. On the territory of modern Turkey, in the region of Sanliurfa, located on the very border with Syria in close proximity to the banks of the Euphrates, there is one of the largest megalithic monuments - Göbekli Tepe.

Scientists believe that this complex is one of the oldest temple structures on the planet and can easily compete with the well-known Stonehenge. The Göbekli Tepe complex was supposedly built in the lX millennium BC and, after several millennia of continuous operation, was covered with earth by the descendants of those who built it.

Of particular importance to this Neolithic structure is the fact that wheat may have been domesticated next to it, since there is all necessary evidence that cereals were cultivated in the fertile valleys near the complex.

Political map of the Middle East

Historically, the region got its name due to its close proximity to European countries. However, the region acquired its modern political borders in the 20th century, when the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist and its territory was divided into several large protectorates between the leading European colonial powers, such as Great Britain and France.

Today, the countries of the Middle East include countries North Africa, Fertile Crescent, the Levant and the Persian Gulf region. Some researchers also include the countries of Transcaucasia. The list of countries in the Middle East and countries attributed by most specialists to the region is as follows:

• Türkiye.
• Syria.
• Iran.
• Iraq.
• Lebanon.
• Jordan.
• Saudi Arabia.
• Bahrain.
• Qatar.
• Kuwait.
• Oman.
• Yemen.
• Israel.
• Egypt.
• Libya.
• Tunisia.
• Algeria.
• Armenia.
• Georgia.
• Azerbaijan.
• Cyprus.

The assignment of Armenia to the region is controversial, but from a historical point of view, this is true, since Armenians have been the indigenous population of the countries of the Middle East for many millennia. Armenian states have existed in the region since the first millennium BC.

Economy

At the beginning of the last century, the territories of the countries that today belong to the region represented backward lands from an economic point of view, the main sources of income of which were inefficient Agriculture and petty trade, as well as fishing.

The situation changed radically with the discovery in the region of huge reserves of oil available for development with minimal capital investment. After that, countries that did not have their own developed economies began to develop actively, gaining more and more political weight on the world stage.

Domestic policy of states

However, economic development has not had a significant impact on political change in the Gulf countries themselves, since to this day most of them are unique examples of an unmodernized absolute monarchy with a significant number of medieval remnants and the death penalty.

However, among the states of the Middle East there are examples of democracy built on the Western model. Israel is one of those states. Until recently, Turkey was one of the countries with a fairly high level of development of public institutions, but in Lately more and more experts note that there are visible signs of degradation of democratic procedures in the country and its slide into authoritarianism. The membership of the Republic of Turkey in the European Union is no longer discussed at all.

Greater Middle East

At the beginning of the 21st century, American political scientists proposed a new concept. It was proposed to introduce the concept of the Greater Middle East, by merging it with Central Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Russian specialists reacted rather painfully to the proposed innovation, as it called into question the influence of Russia in the regions former USSR. However, the concept has not been widely adopted outside the US government, and today the answer to the question: what countries are the Middle East - still remains traditional, excluding the countries of the CIS and the Indian subcontinent.

Conflicts and social problems

The region is one of the most conflicted on the world political map. It is worth noting that most of the conflicts that exist today in the Middle East appeared as a reaction to the drawing of post-colonial borders without taking into account the specifics of the region.

One of the most significant contemporary conflicts is the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which has existed since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. During the existence of the country, it has repeatedly come into conflict with neighboring Arab states.

Of great importance for European politics is also the internal civil conflict in Syria, in which millions of people have already become victims and many millions have been forced to flee their homes in search of asylum.

The Middle East is a region located in Southwest Asia. It occupies an area of ​​about 5,207,538 sq. km., and is distinguished by common cultural and geographical features, but also by striking contrasts. There are countries in the Middle East that are a symbol of economic and political stability, but also others that have been shaken by endless conflicts for years.

The region includes the following countries: Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, as well as not completely independent territories of the Gaza Strip and Palestine. The Middle East extends between the Caspian Sea and in the north, to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea on South. In the west it reaches the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and in the east it reaches the border with and Pakistan. In the central part of the region is the notorious Persian Gulf.

Climate

Much of the Middle East is occupied by deserts, rugged mountain ranges and high plateaus. Deserts dominate the Arabian Peninsula, and the Iranian Plateau, which is the largest in the region, stretches over a huge area between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, covering also a large part of Pakistan. Most of the Middle East falls into the tropics, and for this reason there is dry and hot, in northern regions. High mountains and plateaus have their own microclimate with high summer and very low winter temperatures. The most fertile regions in the Middle East extend in the northwest near the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and along the rivers Tigris and Euphrates. The warm tropical waters of the region are exceptionally rich in life. The Red Sea, for example, hosts some of the most exciting underwater ecosystems in the world, with amazing diversity and colorful marine life.

Economy

The wealth of the Middle East is in its significant oil deposits. It is estimated that approximately 1/3 of the world's oil is located in this part of the world. Therefore, some states, like the UAE, for example, enjoy unheard-of economic prosperity, and cities are like a real miracle of human genius. Black gold offers many countries in the region the opportunity to create the necessary infrastructure to become an attractive tourist and financial center. Date palms are grown in the Middle East, and the region is the largest exporter of dates in the world.

Population

The population of the Middle East is approximately 220 million people. The largest country is Iran, and the state with the smallest population is Bahrain. The Middle East is the birthplace of 3 of the world's most widespread religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Here are some of the most important religious centers in the world - Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mecca and Medina. Nowadays, the predominant part of the population of the region is Muslim. Christians and Jews are quite a small part and live mainly in countries near and near the Eastern Mediterranean (Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan). IN ethnicity the most numerous in the Middle East are the Arabs, then the Persians, who inhabit the territory of present-day Iran.

Middle East: descriptions for travelers and reviews of tourists. Resorts and hotels, maps and sights of the Middle East. Tours and trips to the Middle East.

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Moderately exotic, but still closest to Europe, the East occupies the “boots” of the Arabian Peninsula plus the territories adjacent to it: a little in Africa, a little in Asia and a little bit in Europe proper. Deserts and great civilizations, the birthplace of the world's largest religions, wisdom and discord - all mixed up in its mercilessly sun-scorched expanses.

Oil, the main wealth of the Middle East, provides a constant (and rather big) inflow of funds, thanks to which it is not a wonder here high level life and its accompanying pleasures: first-class hotels and restaurants, entertainment centers, magnificent museums and galleries, high-quality shopping - in a word, everything for the delight of body and soul.

Middle East as tourist destination has a lot to offer. Let's start with the states closest to Russia: Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan are not only “our beloved former” (and therefore, completely native, with common language and a lot of similar cultural features), but also the most interesting sights, ample opportunities for treatment, a lot of active activities on fresh air, finally - delicious cuisine (oh, these pilaf, satsivi and wine!) And in addition, without a sharp change in climate and time zone.

We move further east. Before us is Türkiye - the successor of the great Ottoman Empire, an Asian beauty in a European outfit, about whose tourist "chips" only a convinced hermit does not know. The "City of Memories" Istanbul, which seems to be not enough for sightseeing whole life, long and carefully mastered by domestic "sun worshipers" coast, natural beauties and magnificent architectural monuments.

The countries of the Levant - Israel and Jordan, Syria and Lebanon - are the soul and heart of the Middle East. People come here to touch the origins - for human civilization there is no land older than this. The roots of Judaism and Christianity are located here, so a considerable percentage of the "Levantine" tourists are pilgrims and those who wish to temporarily fall out of the daily whirlwind and think about the eternal. Let's not forget to mention the resort attractions of the region - with such a variety of seas and beaches, no one will be left out of work: connoisseurs of underwater beauty plunge into the Red Sea, lovers of the sun and sand cover the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea with an even carpet, and those who want to heal and shake themselves lie on the surface of the sea Dead.

Jordan

The African piece of the Middle East - Egypt - has prepared for tourists both recreational and cultural leisure: the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts plus the impressive heritage of the ancient Egyptian civilization in the form of a mass archaeological sites and the richest museums. Needless to say, both coasts are included in the big "two" of the most popular beaches in the world.

The Arabian Peninsula is, first of all, Saudi Arabia, the center of attraction for Muslims all over the world, and several tourist gems - such as the original and majestic Oman, the richest Bahrain and the Emirates (the latter are a real mecca for demanding "beach people" and a global shopping paradise). Here you can try your hand at falconry and pearl divers, cross the desert in a caravan and drive a Formula 1 car.

Well, those who plan to reach the westernmost edge of the Middle East are guaranteed to enjoy colorful Iran, where the azure ligature of domes is reflected in the reservoirs of sheikhs' palaces, and precious carpets color the narrow shopping streets of ancient cities.

As my preface. The review is of course quite superficial and controversial in places. For example, the division into Sunnis and Shiites occurs not so much for historical reasons as for the main principle of the structure of society. Some believe that the people and the world should be ruled by the caliph, who combines in his person the supreme worldly (state) and at the same time the supreme religious power, while others separate the state from religion. In their opinion, the head of state is of course the main one and all that, but the last word should still remain with the imam. However, as a general idea - what the Middle East is, how complex it is, and to what extent what is happening there is ambiguous, and cannot be directly measured only by the usual European standards, the article is very good. I recommend.

10 maps that explain the Middle East

The Middle East is known for its ancient history, and also as the region where Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism appeared. Now the region attracts attention as the most restless. It is with him that most of the news is connected at the moment.

In the Middle East, there were ancient states on the planet, but of particular interest is the current state of the region.

What is happening in Yemen, the agreement on Iran's nuclear program, the actions of Saudi Arabia in the oil market - all this forms a news flow and greatly affects the global economy.

COUNTRIES OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Now the Middle East includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Georgia, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Lebanon, Palestinian National Authority, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

From a political standpoint, the Middle East has rarely been stable, but now the instability is extremely high.

ARABIC DIALECTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This map shows the vast extent of the different dialects of the Arabic language and the great linguistic diversity.

This situation brings us back to the caliphates of the 6th and 7th centuries, who spread the Arabic language from the Arabian Peninsula to Africa and the Middle East. But over the past 1300 years, individual dialects have been very far from each other.

And where the distribution of the dialect does not coincide with state borders, that is, with the boundaries of the communities, various problems can arise.

SHIATS AND SUNNITS

The story of the division of Islam between Sunnis and Shiites began with the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632. Some Muslims argued that power should pass to Ali, who was the son-in-law of Muhammad. As a result, the struggle for power was lost by Ali's supporters in the civil war, who were just called Shiites.

Nevertheless, a separate branch of Islam appeared, which now includes about 10-15% of Muslims around the world. However, only in Iran and Iraq they make up the majority.

Today, the religious confrontation has turned into a political one. Shiite political forces, led by Iran, and Sunni, led by Saudi Arabia.

This is a campaign for a cold war within the region, but often it develops into real military clashes.

ETHNIC GROUPS OF THE MIDDLE EAST

The most important color on the map of the Middle East ethnic groups- yellow: Arabs, who are the majority in almost all Middle Eastern countries, including North African countries.

The exception is Israel, where Jews predominate ( pink color), Iran, where the population is Persian (orange), Turkey (green), and Afghanistan, where ethnic diversity is generally high.

Another important color on this map is red. Ethnic Kurds do not have their own country, but are strongly represented in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

OIL AND GAS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The Middle East produces about a third of the world's oil and about 10% of gas. The region holds about a third of all natural gas reserves, but it is more difficult to transport.

Most of the produced energy resources are exported.

The economies of the countries in the region are heavily dependent on oil supplies, and this wealth has also led to many conflicts in the past few decades.

The map shows the main hydrocarbon reserves and transportation routes. Energy resources are largely concentrated in three countries that have historically competed with each other: Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

The most interesting thing is that the confrontation has been actively supported by the United States since the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUEK CANAL TO WORLD TRADE

The object that forever changed world trade is located in the Middle East.

After Egypt opened the canal in 1868 after 10 years of work, a 100-mile artificial track firmly connected Europe and Asia. The significance of the canal for the world was so obvious and great that after the British conquered Egypt in 1880, the leading world powers signed an agreement that is still in force today, stating that the canal will be forever open to merchant and warships of any country.

Today, about 8% of all world trade flows go through the Suez Canal.

OIL, TRADE AND THE MILITARY IN THE STRAITS OF HORMUZ

The world economy is also largely dependent on the narrow strait between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. In 1980, US President Jimmy Carter issued the "Carter Doctrine" which suggested that the US would use military force to protect its access to Persian Gulf oil.

After that, the Strait of Hormuz became the most militarized section of the waters on the entire planet.

The US deployed large naval forces to protect exports during the Iran-Iraq war and later during the Gulf War. Now the forces remain there to prevent the blocking of the channel by Iran.

Apparently, as long as the world is dependent on oil and the Middle East is restless, the armed forces will remain in the Strait of Hormuz.

IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM AND ISRAEL'S POSSIBLE ATTACK PLAN

Iran's nuclear program raised many questions from other states, but Israel's reaction was one of the strongest, since these countries are far from friendly.

The Iranian authorities are trying to convince the whole world that the program is exclusively peaceful. Nevertheless, UN sanctions led to the fact that the Iranian economy faced great difficulties, since it was impossible to export oil.

At the same time, Israel fears that Iran could develop nuclear weapons and use against them, and Iran may be worried that it will always be under the threat of an Israeli strike if it does not possess weapons.

THE "ISLAMIC STATE" THREAT

The Islamic State threat is still strong. The situation in Libya is rapidly deteriorating, despite the bombing by Egypt of the positions of militants of the Islamic State terrorist organization. Every day they manage to expand their spheres of influence in the country.

Libya may soon be completely under the control of IS militants. There is a threat to Saudi Arabia, as ISIS leaders have already said that it is part of the "Holy Caliphate" that needs to be freed from the "wicked".

There is a serious possibility of a cessation of supplies from Libya in general, as well as problems with transportation. In early February, US President Barack Obama sent an appeal to the US Congress with a request to allow the use of military force against ISIS for a period of three years.

YEMEN IS A NEW POINT OF RISK

Zaidi Shia rebels, whose Houthi (Houthi) paramilitary wing captured Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, in February 2015, forcing Saudi-loyal Yemeni President Abd Rabbah Mansour Hadi to flee, are beginning to expand their spheres of influence.

Their success may push the Shiites from Saudi Arabia to start an armed struggle with the country's authorities.

Civil War, into which Yemen is sliding, could become a new episode of confrontation between Shiite Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia, which is the richest country in the region, and also has the largest oil reserves in the world, while most of the proven reserves of the kingdom are located in the southern regions of the country, inhabited by predominantly Shia and located in close proximity to the border with Yemen, total length which is about 1.8 thousand km.