Middle Eastern Regions - Definition

There are many interpretations of the term 'the Middle East.' One of the most common includes the Arabian Peninsula, Anatolia, the Near East, Iran, and occasionally North Africa. To view more information on the region of Asia and/or Africa, visit the Middle East article. The Middle Eastern culture is spread out through this whole region. The main religion is Islam, including Shia and Sunni. Most of the people are Arabs, and speak Arabic. Here are the regions of the Middle East:

Universally considered Middle Eastern

• Near East, or Levant
  • Israel
  • Lebanon
  • Syria
  • Jordan
  • Iraq
• Bilad al-Sham
  • Israel
  • Lebanon
  • Syria
  • Jordan
• Greater Syria
  • Lebanon
  • Syria
  • Often parts of Jordan and Israel
• Arabia or Arabian Peninsula
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Kuwait
  • Bahrain
  • Qatar
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Oman
  • Yemen
• Gulf States
  • Iran
  • Arabian states except Yemen

Usually considered Middle Eastern

• Anatolia
  • Turkey
• The Nile valley:
  • Egypt
  • Sudan, sometimes

Sometimes considered Middle Eastern

• The Mediterranean Sea
  • Cyprus
• Caucasus
  • Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • Armenia
• The Maghreb
  • Morocco
  • Algeria
  • Tunisia
  • Libya
• Other:
  • Afghanistan
  • Pakistan