Every day in the news on TV and on the Internet we meet with the concept of "East": Near, Middle, Far … But what states are we talking about in this case? 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 many other things 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, a variety of questions may arise. The East is a region to which the territories of some regions of Asia and Africa belong. This concept is opposed to the West, which means Europe and the USA.
The East is divided into the following regions:
- Middle East, which includes western Asia and northern Africa.
- Middle East - some Asian countries.
- Far East - territorieseast, northeast, south and southeast Asia.
Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Middle East
This region is named after its geographic location relative to Europe. The countries located on its territory play an important role in the economy of states around the world, since they are the most important place for oil production.
Middle East countries:
- Azerbaijan (located in the Transcaucasus, the capital is Baku);
- Armenia (the territory of Transcaucasia, the capital is Yerevan);
- Bahrain (island Asian state, capital - Manama);
- Egypt (located in Africa, capital - Cairo);
- Georgia (located in the Transcaucasus, the capital is Tbilisi);
- Israel (located in Southwest Asia, capital is Jerusalem);
- Jordan (located in Asia, borders Israel, capital is Amman);
- Iraq (located in the Tigris and Euphrates Valley, the capital is Baghdad);
- Iran (borders Iraq, capital is Tehran);
- Yemen (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital is Sana'a);
- Qatar (located in Southwest Asia, the capital is Doha);
- Cyprus (an island in the Mediterranean Sea, the capital is Nicosia);
- Kuwait (located in Southwest Asia, the capital is Kuwait);
- Lebanon (located on the Mediterranean coast, capital - Beirut);
- UAE (Asian federal state, capital - Abu Dhabi);
- Oman (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital isMuscat);
- Palestine (partially recognized country, capital - Rammala);
- Saudi Arabia (located on the Arabian Peninsula, the capital is Riyadh);
- Syria (located on the Mediterranean coast, the capital is Damascus);
- Turkey (located in Southwest Asia, the capital is Ankara).
Features of the region
The countries of the Near and Middle East have an arid, desert climate. Since ancient times, these lands have been considered important transport arteries that unite Asia, Europe and Africa. The main population of these territories has always been nomadic peoples who eventually settled and founded cities.
It was here that such ancient states as Babylon, Persia, the Caliphate, Assyria and so on were once located. Many archaeological excavations have been carried out on the territory of these regions, 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 here.
East is a delicate matter
For Europeans, Eastern 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 to know some of them:
- Beijing and Shanghai are the world's two largest cities by population.
- The world's first university was opened in India in 700 BC. e., in the city of Takshashila.
- China has 55 nationalities speaking 206 languages.
- The countries of the Middle East are full ofsurprises. So, for example, in Iran there is a female taxi.
- Sciences such as algebra and trigonometry emerged in India.
- There are more computers in Iran than in Russia, and mostly women work on them.
- The Wall of China was originally 8,800 km long, but today only 2,400 km remain.
- 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 not only the birthplace of gunpowder and paper, but also ice cream, which was first made 4,000 years ago.
- Traditional greeting used in China, translated as "Have you eaten?"
- Many modern medical techniques were already known in ancient India.
Result
The list of Eastern countries 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 influence on the whole world. The countries of the Middle East, as well as the Middle East and the Far East, differ significantly from European ones in their cultural and religious characteristics, but all of them continue to successfully interact and actively cooperate in the political and economic arenas.
