Middle east

Definition

A transcontinental region centered on Western Asia and parts of North Africa, historically significant as the birthplace of three major religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and as a crossroads of trade and empire. The region's modern geopolitics are shaped by vast oil reserves, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the legacy of Ottoman and European colonial control.

Examples

  • The discovery of oil in Saudi Arabia transforming the global economy
  • The creation of Israel in 1948 and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict
  • The Suez Canal as a vital waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas

Related Terms

Ottoman empire Dar al-islam War on terror Decolonization

Study This Concept

Practice Middle East with free review games in these units:

World Geography Unit 6: Asia