Middle East

Definition

The Middle East is a transcontinental region in Afro-Eurasia which generally includes Western Asia, all of Egypt (mostly in North Africa), and Turkey (partly in Southeast Europe). It's known for its historical and political significance.

Related terms

Arabian Peninsula: This is a peninsula of Western Asia situated northeast of Africa on the Arabian plate. It's the largest peninsula in the world and is significant because it's home to Saudi Arabia, where Islam originated.

Fertile Crescent: An agricultural region that covered modern day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Israel-Palestine and Jordan. This area was one of the first places where farming developed about 11,000 years ago.

Suez Canal: A man-made sea-level waterway in Egypt connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It provides a shortcut for ships traveling between Europe and South Asia without navigating around Africa.