Every day in the news on television and on the Internet we meet the concept of "East": Middle, Middle, Far ... But which states in this case are we talking about? Which countries belong to the above regions? Despite the fact that this concept is partly subjective, there is still a list of states that are located on the territory of the mentioned lands. You will learn about this and much more from our article.
What is the East?
If everything is clear with this concept in determining the cardinal points, then in the case of geography, various questions can arise. The East is a region to which the territories of some regions of Asia and Africa belong. This concept is contrasted with the West, which means Europe and the United States.
The east is divided into such regions:
- The Middle East, which includes western Asia and northern Africa.
- Middle East - some Asian countries.
- The Far East - territories of east, northeast, south and southeast Asia.
Let us dwell on each of them in more detail.
Middle East countries
This region is named for its geographical location relative to Europe. The countries located on its territory play an important role in the economies of states around the world, since they are the most important place for oil production.
Middle East countries:
- Azerbaijan (located on the territory of Transcaucasia, the capital - Baku);
- Armenia (territory of Transcaucasia, the capital is Yerevan);
- Bahrain (island Asian state, the capital is Manama);
- Egypt (located in Africa, the capital is Cairo);
- Georgia (located in the South Caucasus, the capital is Tbilisi);
- Israel (located in South-West Asia, the capital is Jerusalem);
- Jordan (located in Asia, borders on Israel, the capital is Amman);
- Iraq (located in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates, the capital is Baghdad);
- Iran (bordered by Iraq, the capital is Tehran);
- Yemen (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital is Sana'a);
- Qatar (located in Southwest Asia, the capital is Doha);
- Cyprus (island in the Mediterranean Sea, the capital is Nicosia);
- Kuwait (located in South-West Asia, the capital is Kuwait);
- Lebanon (located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the capital is Beirut);
- UAE (Asian federal state, the capital is Abu Dhabi);
- Oman (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital is Muscat);
- Palestine (partially recognized country, the capital is Rammala);
- Saudi Arabia (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital is Riyadh);
- Syria (located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, the capital is Damascus);
- Turkey (located in South-West Asia, the capital is Ankara).
Region features
The countries of the Near and Middle East are characterized by an arid, desert climate. Since ancient times, these lands are considered important transport arteries that unite Asia, Europe and Africa. The main population of these territories has always been nomadic peoples, which eventually settled and founded the city.
It was here that at one time there were such ancient states as Babylon, Persia, the Caliphate, Assyria and so on. In the territory of these regions, many archaeological excavations were carried out , the result of which was the discovery of ancient cultures. The Middle East is inhabited mainly by Arabs, Turks, Persians and Jews. Islam is recognized as the dominant religion.
East is a delicate matter
For Europeans, oriental culture is full of charm and mysteries. This is a world of fairy tales, architectural sights and secrets, hidden deep in history. Let's get acquainted with some of them:
- Beijing and Shanghai are the two largest cities in the world in terms of population.
- The world's first university was opened in India in 700 BC. e., in the city of Taksashila.
- There are 55 nationalities living in China who speak 206 languages.
- The countries of the Middle East are full of surprises. So, for example, in Iran there is a female taxi.
- In India, such sciences as algebra and trigonometry have appeared.
- Iran has more computers than Russia, and mostly women work for them.
- Initially, the length of the Chinese wall was 8800 km, but today only 2400 km have survived.
- More than one million Christians live in Iran.
- Mount Ararat, which has become a symbol of Armenia, is actually located on the territory of modern Turkey.
- China is the birthplace of not only gunpowder and paper, but also ice cream, which was first made 4 thousand years ago.
- The traditional greeting used in China translates to “Have you eaten?”
- Many modern medical techniques were already known in ancient India.
Total
The list of countries of the East includes many states with a rich history and cultural heritage. According to historians, not only civilization was born here - these states still have a significant impact on the whole world. The countries of the Middle East, as well as the Middle and the Far, differ significantly from European countries in their cultural and religious characteristics, however, they all continue to successfully interact and actively cooperate in the political and economic arenas.