Middle East facts for kids
| Area | 7,222,411 km2 (2,788,588 sq mi) |
|---|---|
| Population | |
| Demonym |
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| Countries |
UN members (16):
UN observers (1):
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| Dependencies |
External (1):
Internal (2):
Occupied (4):
Buffer (2):
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| Non-UN states | |
| Languages | |
| Time zones | UTC+02:00 to UTC+04:00 |
| Largest cities | |
The Middle East is a large and important region connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia. It includes countries like Egypt and most of West Asia. This area is known for its rich history and diverse cultures. The term "Middle East" became popular in the 1900s. Sometimes, people use slightly different definitions for what countries are included.
Many countries in the Middle East are part of the Arab world. The largest countries by population are Egypt, Iran, and Turkey. Saudi Arabia is the biggest country by land area. The main ethnic groups are Arabs, Turks, Persians, and Kurds. Important geographical areas include the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, and the Fertile Crescent.
The history of the Middle East is very long and fascinating. It was one of the first places where people settled outside of Africa. It is also where writing systems were first invented. This region is often called the "cradle of civilization" because many early societies grew here. It is also the birthplace of major religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Middle East mostly has a hot, dry climate. But important rivers like the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates help with farming. Some areas, like the coast of Turkey, have a milder Mediterranean climate. Many countries along the Persian Gulf have huge amounts of oil. This oil is a very important resource for their economies. The region is also facing challenges like climate change and water scarcity.
Contents
Understanding the Middle East
What Does "Middle East" Mean?
The name "Middle East" became popular around the early 1900s. It was first used by people in Europe and the United States. They used it to describe the area between Europe and the "Far East" (like China and Japan).
This term can sometimes be a bit confusing. That's because different people and countries might include slightly different areas. For example, Egypt is in Africa, but it's usually considered part of the Middle East. Also, part of Turkey is in Europe, but it's also included.
How Other Languages Refer to the Region
Many other languages have their own names for this region. Some use terms that mean "Near East," like in German or Russian. Others have terms that translate directly to "Middle East," such as "Moyen-Orient" in French or "Oriente Medio" in Spanish. Even in Arabic, the term "ash-Sharq al-Awsaṭ" (meaning Middle East) is now commonly used.
Countries and Territories of the Middle East
The Middle East includes 17 countries recognized by the United Nations and one British territory. These countries are found in areas like the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, Egypt, Iran, and the Levant.
| Arms | Flag | Country | Area (km2) |
Population (2025) |
Capital | Official language(s) |
Predominant religion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | 778 | 1,620,000 | Manama | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Cyprus | 9,251 | 942,000 | Nicosia | Greek, Turkish |
Christianity | ||
| Egypt | 1,001,450 | 109,450,000 | Cairo | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Iran | 1,648,195 | 87,500,000 | Tehran | Persian | Islam | ||
| Iraq | 438,317 | 45,521,000 | Baghdad | Arabic, Kurdish |
Islam | ||
| Israel | 21,937 | 10,178,000 | Jerusalem | Hebrew | Judaism | ||
| Jordan | 89,318 | 11,442,000 | Amman | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Kuwait | 17,818 | 5,112,000 | Kuwait City | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Lebanon | 10,452 | 5,354,000 (2024) | Beirut | Arabic | Islam / Christianity | ||
| Oman | 309,500 | 5,502,000 | Muscat | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Palestine | 6,020 | 5,613,000 (2024) | Jerusalem Ramallah |
Arabic | Islam | ||
| Qatar | 11,586 | 3,109,000 | Doha | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Saudi Arabia | 2,149,690 | 36,006,000 | Riyadh | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Syria | 185,180 | 21,393,000 (2010) | Damascus | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Turkey | 783,562 | 86,026,000 | Ankara | Turkish | Islam | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 83,600 | 11,083,000 | Abu Dhabi | Arabic | Islam | ||
| Yemen | 455,503 | 41,774,000 | Sanaa Aden (provisional) |
Arabic | Islam |
a. Jerusalem is the proclaimed capital of Israel, which is disputed. It is the actual location of Israel's government. Ramallah is the actual location of the government of Palestine. The proclaimed capital of Palestine is East Jerusalem, which is also disputed. b. Due to an ongoing situation, the seat of government in Yemen moved to Aden.
History of the Middle East
The Middle East is located where Africa, Europe, and Asia meet. It is the spiritual home for many religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Throughout history, this region has been very important for world events. It has strategic, economic, political, and cultural significance.
It is one of the first places where agriculture began. From here, farming ideas spread to other parts of the world. Before civilizations formed, advanced cultures lived across the Middle East during the Stone Age. People moved around a lot, searching for good land for farming and herding animals. These movements helped shape the different groups of people living there.
The Middle East is famously known as the "cradle of civilization." The world's earliest civilizations started here. These include Mesopotamia (like Sumer and ancient Egypt). Later, other civilizations like the Hittites and Persians also grew in this region.
Many powerful empires ruled the Middle East over thousands of years. These included the Neo Assyrian Empire, the Achaemenid Empire, and the Roman Empire. From the 4th century CE, the Byzantine and Sasanian Empires were major powers.
In the 7th century AD, the Islamic Caliphates began to unite the entire Middle East. This led to a period known as the Islamic Golden Age. Later, other groups like the Mongols and Ottoman Empire also ruled parts of the region.
The modern Middle East began after World War I. The Ottoman Empire was defeated and divided into many new nations. These new countries were first managed by Britain and France. Important events included the creation of Israel in 1948. European powers left by the end of the 1960s. The United States then became more influential in the region.
In the 20th century, the discovery of large amounts of crude oil made the region even more important. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Kuwait have huge oil reserves. The international oil group OPEC is mostly made up of Middle Eastern countries.
During the Cold War, the Middle East was a place where big global powers tried to gain influence. They wanted to control the region's strategic location and its oil resources. The region has experienced times of peace and cooperation, as well as periods of disagreement between different groups.
Geography and Climate
The Middle East has a mostly hot and dry climate. This is especially true in the Arabian Peninsula and Egypt. However, major rivers like the Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates provide water for farming.
Some coastal areas, like in Turkey, have a Mediterranean climate. This means they have dry summers and cool, wet winters. The region is very sensitive to climate change and faces challenges with water scarcity.
Economy and Resources
The economies of Middle Eastern countries vary greatly. Some nations are very wealthy, like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Others face economic challenges.
Many countries, especially those along the Persian Gulf, rely heavily on exporting oil and gas. Other countries, like Cyprus, Israel, and Turkey, have more diverse economies. Their industries include agriculture, textiles, and technology.
Tourism is growing in the Middle East. Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Jordan are attracting more visitors. This is due to better facilities and more welcoming policies.
Unemployment is a challenge in the region, especially for young people aged 15–29. About 28% of young people in the Middle East and North Africa region are looking for jobs.
People and Cultures
Ethnic Groups in the Middle East
Arabs are the largest ethnic group in the Middle East. Other major groups include Iranian peoples (like Persians) and Turkic peoples (like Turks).
Many native groups have lived in the region for a long time. These include Arameans, Assyrians, Copts, Druze, Greek Cypriots, Jews, and Kurds. There are also many people who have moved to the Middle East from other parts of the world.
Migration and Movement
People have always moved within and out of the Middle East. Many workers from countries like Egypt and Yemen have moved to the Gulf Arab states for job opportunities. People also move to other countries for safety or new beginnings.
Non-Arab countries like Turkey, Israel, and Iran also see many people moving in and out. Some people from ethnic and religious minorities have moved from countries like Iraq, Iran, and Syria to find new homes.
Languages Spoken in the Middle East
The most widely spoken languages in the Middle East are Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Hebrew, and Greek. About 20 other minority languages are also spoken.
Arabic is the most common language. It is the official language in most North African and West Asian countries. Persian is the second most spoken language, mainly in Iran. Turkish is mostly spoken in Turkey.
Kurdish is spoken in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Hebrew is the official language of Israel. Greek is one of the official languages of Cyprus.
English is an official language in Akrotiri and Dhekelia. It is also widely taught and used as a second language in many countries like Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. French is used in Lebanon and taught in some schools in Egypt and Syria.
Many other languages are spoken by migrant communities. These include Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, especially in countries with large numbers of immigrants from South Asia.
Religions in the Middle East
The Middle East is a very diverse region for religions. Many major faiths began here. Islam is the largest religion. However, Judaism and Christianity are also very important and have many followers.
Christian communities have played a big role in the Middle East. For example, Christians make up a large part of the population in Cyprus and Lebanon. There are also other important minority religions like the Baháʼí Faith, Yazidism, and Zoroastrianism.
Culture and Sports
Middle Eastern Culture
The Middle East has a rich and varied culture. This includes diverse food, music, and traditions. Each country and ethnic group adds its unique flavor to the region's cultural tapestry.
Sports in the Middle East
The Middle East has become a popular place to host major global sports events. This is partly due to its growing wealth. Cricket is also very popular among the large South Asian communities in the region.
See also
In Spanish: Oriente Medio para niños
- Cinema of the Middle East
- Etiquette in the Middle East
- Middle Eastern cuisine
- Middle Eastern music
- Orientalism
- Russia and the Middle East
Images for kids
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1911 Ottoman calendar shown in several different languages such as: Ottoman Turkish (in Arabic script), Greek, Armenian, Hebrew, Bulgarian, and French.