MiddenOosters

MiddenOosters (Dutch for the Middle East) refers to a transcontinental region centered on Western Asia, with extensions into parts of North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. There is no single universally accepted boundary; different sources include different states. Commonly associated countries include Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen; sometimes Libya or Tunisia are included in broader definitions.

Geographically, the MiddenOosters spans deserts, mountain ranges, river basins, and extensive coastlines along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. It contains major geographic features such as the Nile Delta, the Tigris–Euphrates valley, the Arabian Peninsula, and fertile oases, producing a wide range of climates from arid to temperate in mountain zones.

Historically, the region is a cradle of ancient civilizations, including Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, and later home to successive empires such as the Persian, Hellenistic, and Ottoman. In the 20th century, modern nation-states emerged under colonial and post-colonial processes, giving rise to enduring political, social, and territorial complexities. Contemporary dynamics include interstate conflicts, peace efforts, and shifting alliances influenced by religion, ethnicity, and external interest.

Culture and society are diverse linguistically and religiously. Arabic is widely spoken, alongside Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, and Kurdish. Islam is the predominant religion, with significant Christian, Jewish, Druze, and other minority communities. The region contributes rich traditions in literature, music, art, cuisine, and architecture.

Economically, the MiddenOosters is energy-intensive, with major oil and natural gas producers such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Kuwait. Energy wealth shapes development, trade, and geopolitical influence, while several states pursue diversification and reform.