What is the Middle East?
If you are wondering what the Middle East is or where it is located, it is essential to know that the Middle East lies at the intersection of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa, situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
The Middle East has always attracted the attention of major powers due to its abundant and significant energy resources. Researchers and writers do not agree on its precise geography; however, there is a consensus on general definitions of the Middle East. The term “Middle East” was first used by an American naval officer, and subsequently adopted by researchers. This region boasts a rich cultural diversity, which is one of the factors contributing to its numerous tensions.
Where is the Middle East?
The Middle East is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Generally, this term refers to the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf; however, researchers and writers provide various definitions of the Middle East and disagree on the number of countries included. For instance, all agree that Iran and Iraq are part of the Middle East, but there is no consensus regarding Ethiopia and Pakistan.
Countries in the Middle East
Geographers consider the Middle East as a central point among Asia, Africa, and Europe. Thus, the following list generally classifies these countries as part of the Middle East:
- Jordan
- United Arab Emirates
- Iran
- Bahrain
- Turkey
- Palestine
- Syria
- Iraq
- Saudi Arabia
- Oman
- Cyprus
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Egypt
- Yemen
How Did the Middle East Come Into Existence?
With a closer look at the name “Middle East,” it becomes clear that this region was named by Europeans based on its position relative to other parts of the world according to their political interests; geographically, it is located in the east (or “Middle”) from their perspective. Western countries viewed Europe as the center of civilization and named other regions based on their proximity or distance from it: “Far East,” “Middle East,” and “Near East.”
Some evidence suggests that the first use of the term “Middle East” dates back to 1850 during British India; however, it gained fame in 1902 when American naval officer Alfred Thayer Mahan used it to refer to areas between Arabia and India. Later, a journalist from The Times named Valentine Chirol provided more comprehensive definitions of the Middle East, significantly enhancing global understanding of this region’s location. Disagreement over defining the Middle East began early; Chirol’s version encompassed a larger area than Mahan’s.
The term “Middle East” was first utilized by an American officer. Mahan focused primarily on relations between regional countries through maritime routes in the Persian Gulf, limiting his definition to surrounding countries. In contrast, Chirol extended his definition to defend India’s borders up to India itself. Despite their differing views, both terms gained popularity among researchers and writers in their publications. Today, the meaning of “Middle East” extends beyond Mahan’s and Chirol’s descriptions.
When Ottoman territory expanded into Arab lands, Europeans referred to this geographical area as “the Near East.” However, after 1913, when Ottoman territory diminished due to a series of wars, no one could precisely define what constituted “the Near East.” It wasn’t until World War II that British military command combined former forces from both regions under one command and referred to all these areas as “the Middle East,” effectively replacing “the Near East.”
Geography and Borders of the Middle East
According to Britannica Encyclopedia, lands around the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea were referred to as the Middle East. Over time, this region expanded its borders to include Gulf countries (Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and UAE), northern Mediterranean territories, and southern Arabian lands.
It is said that the Middle East extends from southwestern areas near Bab el Mandeb Strait to northwestern regions near Dardanelles Strait and from eastward toward the Himalayas and Karachi port; however, there remains no consensus on defining this region. All researchers agree that Gulf countries, Fertile Crescent nations, Yemen, and Turkey fall within its boundaries; yet opinions diverge regarding North African countries, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Cyprus.
Meaning of the Name ‘Middle East’
The term “Middle East” was coined by Westerners based on Europe’s geographical perspective for a region that was neither close enough to be considered “Near East” nor far enough to be labeled as “Far East.” The Middle East lies between these two other eastern regions. Some also attribute this naming convention to its positioning between the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.
Culture of Middle Eastern Countries
Jordan
Jordan has a population of 10 million and covers an area of 89,342 square kilometers, with Arabic as its official language. The people of Jordan have a strong interest in European, American, and other Western cultures, significantly influenced by the fashion markets of these countries. The Jordanian government strives to counteract extremist religious ideologies and positions itself as a moderate regime.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE spans 67,340 square kilometers and has a population exceeding 9.2 million. Arabic and English are the official languages. Emirati culture is rooted in Arab traditions but has also absorbed significant influences from Indian, Iranian, and East African cultures. Less than half of the UAE’s residents are native Emiratis; the majority are immigrants from various countries. Due to its modern infrastructure and economic stability, the UAE has become a global economic hub.
Iran
Iran covers an area of 1,648,195 square kilometers and has a population of over 84 million, approximately 98% of whom are Muslims. The country boasts a rich cultural heritage spanning over 10,000 years, which has gradually intertwined with Islamic traditions. Iran is also a multi-ethnic nation with diverse customs and practices. Persian is the official language.
Bahrain
Bahrain has an area of 778 square kilometers and a population of around 699,000, with 70% being Muslims. The remaining population includes Christians and Hindus, with a small percentage adhering to Buddhism. Arabic and English are the official languages.
Turkey
Turkey spans 785,347 square kilometers and has a population of 84.6 million. As it was once part of the vast Ottoman Empire, Turkey possesses a rich culture that blends influences from Central Asia, Western Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Caucasus. Turkish is the official language, and nearly all citizens are Muslims.
Palestine
Palestine covers an area of 6,220 square kilometers and has a population of 4.7 million. The people primarily speak Arabic and are mostly Muslims, with some adhering to Christianity. Due to its historical events, Palestinian culture is deeply intertwined with themes of resistance. Arabic is the official language.
Syria
Syria is a multi-ethnic country with Arabic as its official language. The Syrian people maintain traditional cultural practices, with approximately 83% identifying as Muslims; others follow Syrian or Druze religions. Syria occupies an area of 185,180 square kilometers and has a population of about 17.5 million.
Iraq
Iraq consists of various ethnic groups with nearly 100% Muslim representation; others practice Yazidi Christianity. Kurdish and Arabic are the official languages. Iraq covers an area of 437,072 square kilometers and has a population of around 37 million.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia spans 2,149,690 square kilometers with a population of 34 million and possesses an Arab-Islamic culture. The majority of Saudi society is religiously conservative and family-oriented. Since the wealth surge in the 1970s due to oil production, the country has faced challenges and changes; however, its foundational culture remains largely intact. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language.
Oman
Oman covers an area of 309,500 square kilometers and has a population of five million people. Omani customs have changed less over time compared to many other Middle Eastern countries, with Western cultures having less influence on its traditions. Arabic is the official language; most citizens are Muslims.
Cyprus
Cyprus spans 9,251 square kilometers with a population of one million people and boasts a rich culture dating back over 9,000 years. In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, dividing it into northern and southern parts. The official languages are Greek and Turkish.
Qatar
Qatar covers an area of 11,581 square kilometers with a population of approximately 2.7 million people. The inhabitants are descendants of Bedouins; Arabic is the official language but English is widely used as well. Qatari society emphasizes family values; Islam is the state religion with over 95% Muslim representation.
Kuwait
Kuwait spans 17,818 square kilometers with a population of about 4.4 million people; approximately 75% are immigrants. Arabic is the official language; around 95% identify as Muslims while nearly five percent are native Christians. Kuwaiti culture closely resembles that of Bahrain compared to other Middle Eastern nations.
Lebanon
Lebanon covers an area of 10,452 square kilometers with a population of around 6.8 million people and has historically been subject to invasions by various powers due to its diverse immigrant influxes from different countries; thus it possesses highly diverse cultural characteristics. Although various languages are spoken in Lebanon, Arabic remains the official language. Approximately 50% identify as Christians while about 45% are Muslims and five percent belong to the Druze community.
Egypt
Egypt spans an area of 1,010,408 square kilometers with a population nearing 100 million people; religious beliefs have deep historical roots in this country where Modern Standard Arabic serves as the official language.
Yemen
Yemen covers an area of 555,000 square kilometers with a population of approximately 30.4 million people; Islam is the state religion with almost all citizens being Muslims while a small Jewish community exists as well. Yemen predominantly features tribal structures within its traditional society where Arabic is the official language.
Major Events in the Middle East
Discovery of Oil in Saudi Arabia
In 1936, an American oil company successfully discovered oil in the vast Arabian Desert. This discovery transformed the Saudi monarchy into one of the wealthiest governments in the world through oil trade.
Coup of August 28 in Iran
In 1953, Dr. Mohammad Mossadegh’s government was overthrown by a military coup led by General Fazlollah Zahedi, with direct orders from Britain. This coup was orchestrated and financially supported by the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) and the CIA, with assistance from parts of the military at that time. Support for opposition figures, including Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, played a crucial role in the coup’s success. Dr. Mossadegh had previously nationalized Iran’s oil industry, significantly cutting into British profits.
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1979 Revolution in Iran
In 1979, the Iranian people revolted, leading to the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran on February 11 of that year. The 1979 Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution, was the first to establish Islamism as a ruling ideology in a country within the Middle East.
Iran-Iraq War
The Iran-Iraq War began in 1980 when Iraqi forces launched a full-scale invasion of Iran and lasted for eight years. It became one of the longest conflicts of the 20th century after the Vietnam War. Despite being newly established after the Islamic Revolution, Iran quickly regained its military cohesion and resisted Saddam Hussein’s aggression. Known in Iran as “the imposed war” or “the eight-year sacred defense,” it ended in August 1988 with a ceasefire agreement.
Gulf War
The First Gulf War was led by the United States alongside 35 other countries against Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. Iraq owed $130 billion to Gulf Arab states and, after its economy was devastated by eight years of war with Iran, sought to erase this debt by invading Kuwait. Tensions escalated between Iraq and Kuwait over this issue, prompting Saddam to attempt to resolve his debts through military action.
Fall of Saddam Hussein
Following Kuwait’s invasion, diplomatic relations between Iraq and the U.S. deteriorated. In 1993, under President Bill Clinton, a new wave of sanctions against Saddam began. The U.S. and UK viewed Iraq as a threat to their allies in the region, including Saudi Arabia, leading to military strikes against Iraqi military installations and civilian areas.
The September 11 attacks in 2001 set the stage for a full-scale military assault against Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi government and army collapsed three weeks after U.S.-led forces invaded on March 20, 2003. Saddam went into hiding but was captured by U.S. forces in December that year and executed following a trial in November 2006.
Arab Spring
The Arab Spring refers to popular uprisings across several Arab-speaking countries in West Asia and North Africa that began in 2010. Some protests led to regime changes in countries like Egypt, Yemen, Libya, and Tunisia. In many cases, government resistance resulted in civil wars. The movement was sparked by protests against corruption and police brutality following Mohamed Bouazizi’s self-immolation in Tunisia.
Syrian Civil War
The Syrian Civil War began on January 26, 2011, influenced by the Arab Spring. Domestic protest groups demanded President Bashar al-Assad’s resignation but faced severe repression from his government. The crisis escalated significantly in 2015 due to interventions from ISIS and other militant groups. Although violence has decreased since then, conflicts continue.
ISIS
The roots of ISIS can be traced back to 2010. The group gained notoriety when it declared itself “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria” on April 8, 2013, after deploying forces into Syria. Known as ISIS for short, this group created significant instability through its terrorist activities across the Middle East. Concurrently attacking both Syria and Iraq, it caused sudden political upheaval in the region and proclaimed a global caliphate in July 2014. After extensive resistance efforts, U.S. forces located ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s hideout in October 2019; he died during a suicide bombing.
Key Reasons for Middle Eastern Importance
The Middle East is rich in oil and gas resources available throughout the region. Additionally, various mineral deposits cannot be overlooked when considering its significance. These characteristics have made countries worldwide reliant on Middle Eastern energy supplies, enhancing its political importance.
Western governments have historically intervened without hesitation or regard for local populations’ interests; given the region’s ethnic diversity and cultural complexities, they have exploited every opportunity to create divisions while plundering its resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
Where is the largest country in the Middle East?
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East at an area of 2,149,690 square kilometers.
Which country is known as the bride of the Middle East?
Lebanon is often referred to as the bride of the Middle East.
Why is the Middle East an important region?
Due to its abundant oil and gas resources.
What is the official language of most Middle Eastern countries?
Arabic is the official language for most countries in this region.
