List of Countries in Middle East Alphabetically
The Middle East is a region centered on Western Asia and Egypt, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Arabian Peninsula to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the north. It is known for its strategic geopolitical significance and rich history as the cradle of civilization and birthplace of the major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Middle East has 17 countries including Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
1. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is the largest country in the Middle East by land area and is considered the birthplace of Islam. It is known for its vast deserts, rich oil reserves, and conservative Islamic society.
- Population: Approximately 34.8 million people.
- Area: 2,149,690 square kilometers.
- Capital: Riyadh.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Absolute monarchy.
- Currency: Saudi riyal (SAR).
- Major Cities: Jeddah, Mecca, Medina.
- Famous Landmarks: Mecca’s Grand Mosque, Medina’s Prophet’s Mosque, Al-Ula’s archaeological sites.
- Cultural Contributions: Islamic art and architecture, traditional Bedouin culture, and hospitality customs.
- Historical Significance: Birthplace of Islam, home to ancient civilizations such as the Nabateans, and a key player in the modern oil industry.
2. Iran
Iran, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country located in Western Asia with a rich cultural heritage dating back thousands of years. It is known for its Persian architecture, poetry, and contributions to science and mathematics.
- Population: Approximately 83 million people.
- Area: 1,648,195 square kilometers.
- Capital: Tehran.
- Official Language: Persian.
- Government: Unitary Islamic republic.
- Currency: Iranian rial (IRR).
- Major Cities: Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz.
- Famous Landmarks: Persepolis, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Golestan Palace.
- Cultural Contributions: Persian literature, poetry (including works by Rumi and Hafez), and classical music.
- Historical Significance: Formerly part of ancient Persia, home to several empires such as the Achaemenids and Safavids, and experienced significant geopolitical influence throughout history.
3. Iraq
Iraq, located in Western Asia, is known for its ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia, considered one of the cradles of civilization. It has a rich cultural heritage but has also experienced decades of conflict and instability.
- Population: Approximately 40 million people.
- Area: 438,317 square kilometers.
- Capital: Baghdad.
- Official Languages: Arabic, Kurdish.
- Government: Federal parliamentary republic.
- Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD).
- Major Cities: Basra, Mosul, Erbil.
- Famous Landmarks: Babylon, Ur, Samarra Archaeological City.
- Cultural Contributions: Mesopotamian art and architecture, Iraqi music (including maqam), and culinary traditions.
- Historical Significance: Home to ancient civilizations such as the Sumerians and Babylonians, invaded by numerous empires including the Mongols and Ottomans, and experienced recent conflicts including the Gulf Wars.
4. Turkey
Turkey, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, is known for its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, stunning landscapes, and rich history. It straddles two continents and has played a significant role in shaping world history.
- Population: Approximately 83 million people.
- Area: 783,356 square kilometers.
- Capital: Ankara.
- Official Language: Turkish.
- Government: Unitary presidential republic.
- Currency: Turkish lira (TRY).
- Major Cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir.
- Famous Landmarks: Hagia Sophia, Cappadocia, Ephesus.
- Cultural Contributions: Ottoman architecture, Turkish cuisine, and traditional arts such as calligraphy and ceramics.
- Historical Significance: Formerly the heart of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, played a crucial role in the Silk Road trade, and has been a key player in regional geopolitics.
5. Egypt
Egypt, located in North Africa and the Sinai Peninsula of Asia, is known for its ancient civilization, including the pyramids, Sphinx, and temples along the Nile River. It is one of the oldest civilizations in the world.
- Population: Approximately 104 million people.
- Area: 1,010,408 square kilometers.
- Capital: Cairo.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic.
- Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP).
- Major Cities: Alexandria, Giza, Luxor.
- Famous Landmarks: Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, Abu Simbel.
- Cultural Contributions: Ancient Egyptian art and architecture, hieroglyphic writing, and contributions to mathematics and medicine.
- Historical Significance: Home to one of the world’s earliest civilizations, conquered by various empires including the Greeks and Romans, and a key player in regional geopolitics.
6. Syria
Syria, located in Western Asia, is known for its ancient cities, including Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It has a rich cultural heritage but has been marred by civil war and conflict in recent years.
- Population: Approximately 17 million people.
- Area: 185,180 square kilometers.
- Capital: Damascus.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic.
- Currency: Syrian pound (SYP).
- Major Cities: Aleppo, Homs, Hama.
- Famous Landmarks: Umayyad Mosque, Palmyra, Krak des Chevaliers.
- Cultural Contributions: Syrian architecture, cuisine (including dishes like kibbeh and falafel), and contributions to literature and music.
- Historical Significance: Home to ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians and Assyrians, later part of the Islamic Caliphates, and has experienced significant geopolitical influence throughout history.
7. Yemen
Yemen, located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and ancient cities. It is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the region but has faced political instability and conflict in recent years.
- Population: Approximately 30 million people.
- Area: 527,968 square kilometers.
- Capital: Sana’a.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary parliamentary republic.
- Currency: Yemeni rial (YER).
- Major Cities: Aden, Taiz, Al Hudaydah.
- Famous Landmarks: Old City of Sana’a, Shibam Hadramawt, Socotra Island.
- Cultural Contributions: Yemeni architecture (including tower houses), Yemeni cuisine (such as mandi and saltah), and traditional music and dance.
- Historical Significance: Home to ancient civilizations such as the Sabaeans and Himyarites, later part of various empires including the Islamic Caliphates and Ottoman Empire, and has experienced recent conflicts including civil war.
8. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its modern cities, luxury shopping, and cultural attractions. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East.
- Population: Approximately 9.9 million people.
- Area: 83,600 square kilometers.
- Capital: Abu Dhabi.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Federal absolute monarchy.
- Currency: UAE dirham (AED).
- Major Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah.
- Famous Landmarks: Burj Khalifa, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Palm Jumeirah.
- Cultural Contributions: Modern architecture, Emirati cuisine (including dishes like shawarma and machboos), and traditional arts such as falconry and camel racing.
- Historical Significance: Formerly part of the Trucial States, gained independence in 1971, and has experienced rapid modernization and development in recent decades.
9. Jordan
Jordan, located in Western Asia, is known for its ancient ruins, including the city of Petra, as well as its stunning desert landscapes and hospitable people. It has played a significant role in the history of the region.
- Population: Approximately 10.5 million people.
- Area: 89,342 square kilometers.
- Capital: Amman.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
- Currency: Jordanian dinar (JOD).
- Major Cities: Zarqa, Irbid, Al-Salt.
- Famous Landmarks: Petra, Jerash, Wadi Rum.
- Cultural Contributions: Nabatean architecture, Jordanian cuisine (including dishes like mansaf and falafel), and traditional music and dance.
- Historical Significance: Home to ancient civilizations such as the Nabateans and Romans, part of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, and a key player in regional geopolitics.
10. Lebanon
Lebanon, located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is known for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant nightlife. It has a rich history influenced by various civilizations.
- Population: Approximately 6.8 million people.
- Area: 10,452 square kilometers.
- Capital: Beirut.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary parliamentary republic.
- Currency: Lebanese pound (LBP).
- Major Cities: Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre.
- Famous Landmarks: Baalbek, Byblos, Jeita Grotto.
- Cultural Contributions: Phoenician heritage, Lebanese cuisine (including dishes like tabbouleh and kibbeh), and vibrant arts and music scene.
- Historical Significance: Home to ancient civilizations such as the Phoenicians and Romans, influenced by various empires including the Byzantines and Ottomans, and has experienced recent conflicts including the Lebanese Civil War.
11. Kuwait
Kuwait, located at the northern tip of the Persian Gulf, is known for its oil reserves, modern architecture, and rich cultural heritage. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita.
- Population: Approximately 4.3 million people.
- Area: 17,818 square kilometers.
- Capital: Kuwait City.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
- Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KWD).
- Major Cities: Hawalli, Al Ahmadi, Farwaniya.
- Famous Landmarks: Kuwait Towers, Grand Mosque, Failaka Island.
- Cultural Contributions: Traditional Kuwaiti architecture, cuisine (including dishes like machboos and harees), and music and dance.
- Historical Significance: Formerly a center of trade and pearling, invaded by Iraq in 1990 leading to the Gulf War, and has experienced rapid modernization and development in recent decades.
12. Oman
Oman, located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its stunning landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and coastline, as well as its rich cultural heritage and hospitality.
- Population: Approximately 5.1 million people.
- Area: 309,500 square kilometers.
- Capital: Muscat.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary absolute monarchy.
- Currency: Omani rial (OMR).
- Major Cities: Salalah, Seeb, Sur.
- Famous Landmarks: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Nizwa Fort, Wahiba Sands.
- Cultural Contributions: Omani architecture, cuisine (including dishes like shuwa and halwa), and traditional arts like Omani folk music and dance.
- Historical Significance: Formerly part of the ancient Frankincense Route, home to ancient civilizations such as the Omanis, and has played a significant role in maritime trade throughout history.
13. Qatar
Qatar, located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, is known for its modern skyline, luxury shopping, and cultural attractions. It is one of the wealthiest countries in the world per capita.
- Population: Approximately 2.8 million people.
- Area: 11,586 square kilometers.
- Capital: Doha.
- Official Language: Arabic.
- Government: Unitary absolute monarchy.
- Currency: Qatari riyal (QAR).
- Major Cities: Al Wakrah, Al Khor, Umm Salal Mohammed.
- Famous Landmarks: Museum of Islamic Art, The Pearl-Qatar, Souq Waqif.
- Cultural Contributions: Modern architecture, Qatari cuisine (including dishes like machbous and harees), and traditional arts and crafts.
- Historical Significance: Formerly a center for pearling and fishing, gained independence from Britain in 1971, and has experienced rapid modernization and development in recent decades.