Middle East

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Introduction

Kuwait Towers

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The Middle East is not a real continent, but rather contains part of at least two continents, tha largest part being officially part of Asia. This part of the world often is in the news, most notably unfortunately due to the war in Iraq and other civil unrest in countries like Israel, Lebanon and Yemen. The area has no consequent borders but usually includes at least the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Palestina. Sometimes also Egypt (or Sinai as part of Egypt) and/or Sudan and Libya are included. And even Turkey and Afghanistan sometimes join on the map. Still, most people roughly know which part of the world is ment.
Despite some unrest, the Middle East has a lot to offer for travellers, especially regarding culture. The pyrimads of Gizeh, Palmyra in Syria, Petra in Jordan and Persepolis in Iran are reminders of wealthier times in the past. It also includes the largest sandsea in the world, the Rub al Khali, or Empty Quarter. In fact, large parts are dry deserts but still many people manage to live here, mainly along main rivers like the Nile and Tigris.
It is also pleasantly easy to travel around and the differences between cheap places like Iran or Syria and more wealthier places like Oman and Dubai can be huge. Take some time and you will love this part of the world!

Geography

Despite having no consequent borders, there are huge similarities between many of the countries. Like mentioned above, huge parts are arid. But grasslands, fertile river beds and moutainous areas are not absent at all. The southern part of the Arabian Peninsula mainly consists of sandseas and mountains. Especially the southwest of Saudi Arabia and parts of Oman and Yemen have high moutains with possible snowfall in winter. More to the north, the mountains are lower and sand makes places for rocks and gravel and lowlying deserts like the Syrian desert and Dasht-e Lut can get extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. High mountains can be found in the west and north of Iran as well, with ski slopes just an hour away from Tehran. Many of the countries are bordered by waters. The Mediterrean Sea in the west, the Black Sea and Caspian Sea to the north and the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean to the south all form borders of the Middle East. Rivers like the Euphrates and Tigris form the backbone of Iraq and most people live along these rivers.

Subregions

• Arabian Peninsula

Countries

Sights and activities

Major cities

• Cairo
• Alexandria
• Istanbul
• Dubai
• Beirut
• Damascus - one of the longest inhabitants cities in the world.
• Jerusalem
• Tehran

Landmarks

See also: Famous Landmarks

• Giza Pyramids and the Great Sphinx
• Luxor and temple of Abu Simbel
• Mekka and Medina - the holiest cities of Islam, in Saudi Arabia
• Burj al Araba - the first 7 star hotel in the world, in Dubai
• Kuwait Towers
• Ancient ruines, like Palmyra in Syria and Persepolis in Iran
• Ancient skyscrapers in Shibam, Yemen
• Crac des Chevaliers, the best example of a Crusader Castle
• Petra - Jordan