mena

MENA stands for the Middle East and North Africa. It is a geographic and geopolitical term used to describe a broad region spanning parts of Western Asia and Northern Africa. The exact set of countries varies by context, but the term commonly covers states in North Africa and the Middle East, from Morocco in the west to Iran and the Arabian Peninsula in the east. Some definitions also include Israel and Turkey, while others exclude them.

Economically, the region contains some of the world's largest oil and gas producers as well as diversified economies. It faces a mix of development challenges, including reliance on energy exports, youth unemployment, and the need for structural diversification.

Culturally and linguistically, MENA is diverse. Arabic is the most widely spoken language, with significant minorities speaking Persian, Turkish, Kurdish, Hebrew, Berber languages, and others. Islam is the largest religion, alongside Christian and Jewish communities.

The region has ancient histories and contemporary political significance, with major urban centers and varying levels of political stability.

In policy contexts, MENA is used to group analyses of economics, security, and development. Critics argue the term can obscure important differences between countries.

Mena is also a given name in several cultures.