The Middle East is a term that is generally used to refer to the region located between the Asian and African continents. It is considered a transcontinental zone and is sometimes referred to as Western Asia. The countries within this region share a number of factors, including ethnic groups, geographic features, religious beliefs, and political history. The Middle East also encompasses Egypt, a North African country, due to its demographics, proximity, and shared history. This article highlights the countries that are generally included as part of the Middle East.
17. Bahrain
Bahrain is an archipelago nation, located in the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and the peninsula of Qatar. It covers an area of 295 square miles and has a population size of just over 1.42 million. Nearly half of Bahrain’s population is made up of foreign nationals. The 2011 Index of Economic Freedom designated the country as having the most independent economy in the Middle East. Prior to that, Bahrain was recognized for its banking and financial services sector, which are the fastest growing in the world.
16. Cyprus
Cyprus is another island nation, located in the Mediterranean Sea between Turkey and Egypt. The country covers an area of 3,572 square miles and has a population size of approximately 1.17 million. In 1961, Cyprus became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations after gaining its independence from Great Britain, and in 2004 it was accepted as a member of the European Union. Cyprus is a hub for foreign businesses due to its tax rates, which are below the European Union average. The country’s economy relies on tourism, shipping services, and banking and financial services.
15. Egypt
Egypt is located in the north eastern region of Africa, where it has borders along the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aqaba. Its territory also encompasses the Sinai Peninsula, which shares borders with Israel and Palestine. It is this peninsula that connects Egypt to the Middle East, making it a transcontinental country. Egypt covers a total area of 390,120.66 square miles and has a population size of over 95.86 million. Crude petroleum oil makes up nearly 25% of its exports. The rest of the economy relies on agriculture, textiles, tourism, and natural gas.
14. Iran
Iran has coastlines along the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Sea, and the Gulf of Oman. It covers an area of 636,372 square miles and has a population size of approximately 80.82 million. Iran is home to the largest supply of natural gas in the world and the fourth largest supply of oil reserves. The country is a member of both OPEC and the United Nations, as well as a number of other international organizations. The economy and gross domestic product (GDP) of Iran rely on the services sector.
13. Iraq
Iraq is almost completely landlocked, with the exception of a 36-mile long area located along the Persian Gulf. The country covers an area of 168,754 square miles and has a total population of 37.2 million. Iraq’s economy has an unemployment rate that averages between 18% and 30%, and a GDP per capita of only $4,000. The majority of employment opportunities (roughly 60%) are found in the public sector. The oil industry of Iraq makes up about 95% of its foreign exchange revenue.
12. Israel
Israel has coastlines along both the Red and the Mediterranean Seas, and shares borders with several countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip. It covers an area of between 8,019 and 8,522 square miles and has a population size of approximately 8.75 million. The majority of the population of Israel (around 74.7%) identify as Jewish. The country was originally created as a homeland for people of Jewish ethnicity and religion, and accordingly it is often known as the Jewish State. Israel’s economy is based on the technology and industrial sectors and is considered the most advanced in the Middle East.
11. Jordan
Jordan is located between the continents of Europe, Africa, and Asia, and has coastlines along both the Dead and Red Seas. It covers an area of 34,495 square miles and has a population size of over 9.9 million. The vast majority (92%) of the population identify as Sunni Muslims. The country is known to be a safe haven for refugees from many countries in the area who are fleeing their homes due to terrorism and political instability. Jordan is considered one of the most politically stable countries in the Middle East.
10. Kuwait
Kuwait is located at the northernmost edge of the Persian Gulf, where it covers an area of 6,880 square miles. The population of this country is just over 4.34 million, and approximately 70% of these individuals are foreign nationals. This high percentage of foreigners is primarily due to the Kuwait’s petroleum industry, which attracts a number of foreign workers. At least 87% of the country’s exports are petroleum-based. In fact, the industry makes up around 50% of Kuwait’s GDP.
9. Lebanon
Lebanon is one of the smallest, non-island country in the Middle East, covering an area of 4,036 square miles. It has a population size of just over 6 million, which is recognized for its diverse cultural and ethnic background. Lebanon’s economy was able to resist the global economic crisis of 2008, managing to grow at a rate of 8.5% in 2008 and 9% in 2009. The services sector makes up the largest part of the country’s economy and employs approximately 65% of the population.
8. Oman
Oman is located along the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, giving it a long coastline along the Arabian Sea. The country covers an area of 119,500 square miles and has a population size of around 4.42 million. Its government is considered an absolute monarchy and all government responsibilities carried out by the Sultan, which a hereditary position. The economy of Oman depends on the oil and petroleum industry, particularly as its largest export contributor. However, the tourism industry in Oman is growing rapidly.
7. Palestine
Palestine shares borders with both Israel and Jordan, and the country claims ownership of the Gaza Strip and West Bank regions. Palestine covers an area of 2,3320 square miles and has a population size of 4.55 million. The country has been engaged in decades-long conflict with Israel over Israeli-occupied lands, which were ruled by the Israeli Military Governorate from 1967 until 1982. The services industry in Palestine makes up 82% of the country’s GDP, which was recorded at $10 billion in 2012.
6. Qatar
Qatar is located along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, where it covers an area of 4,471 square miles. This country has a population size of over 2.67 million, 2.3 million of which are foreign nationals. This large percentage of foreign-born residents is due to the natural gas and oil industries, which draw a significant number of immigrant workers every year.
5. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and covers an area of 830,000 square miles. It has a population size of approximately 33 million, 90% of which identify as Arabs. The country’s population has grown significantly since 1950, when it was only around 3 million, due to a faster-than-average birth rate. The majority of individuals in Saudi Arabia speak 1 of 3 Arabic dialects: Najdi, Hejazi, and Gulf.
4. Syria
Syria is located in the western region of the Middle East and covers an area of 71,500 square miles. The country’s population is estimated at approximately 17 million, although that number may be inaccurate given the inability to perform an accurate census in recent years. The population represents a decrease over previous years, given the large number of people who have been killed or fled the country due to civil war, military violence, and political instability. At least 5 million individuals are believed to have sought refuge in other countries, while another 7.6 million are considered internally displaced.
3. Turkey
Turkey is located between Europe and Asia and is considered a transcontinental country. It covers an area of 302,455 square miles and has a population size of around 79.8 million. Between 70% and 80% of this population identifies as ethnic Turks. Economists consider the economy of Turkey to be newly industrialized. The country has a GDP of $2.199 trillion, over half of which is generated by the services industry.
2. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located along the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. It covers an area of 32,300 square miles and has a population size of approximately 9.4 million. This country has one of the largest economies in the Middle East, with a GDP of around $377 billion. Like most economies in this region of the world, the UAE depends heavily on the oil industry.
1. Yemen
Yemen is located along the southwestern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, where it covers a total area of 203,850 square miles. The country has a population size of over 27.5 million, nearly half of which is made up of minors younger than 15 years of age. Because of these demographics, as well as various other factors, the Yemen’s population is expected to reach 60 million by 2050. The economy of Yemen is based on the petroleum industry, which also makes up 73% of its exports.
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