| − | The '''Middle East''' is a geographic, political, and historical region in south-west [[Asia]] and some parts of north-eastern [[Africa]]. It is located roughly in between the [[Caspian Sea]] to the north, the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the west, and the [[Arabian Sea]] to the south and west. Countries considered to be part of the Middle East include [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Cyprus]], [[Israel]], [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Oman]], [[Yemen]], [[Bahrain]], [[Egypt]], [[Kuwait]], [[Qatar]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]]. | + | The '''Middle East''' is a geographic, political, and historical region in south-west [[Asia]] and some parts of north-eastern [[Africa]]. It is located roughly in between the [[Caspian Sea]] to the north, the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the west, and the [[Arabian Sea]] to the south and west. Countries considered to be part of the Middle East include [[Syria]], [[Jordan]], [[Cyprus]], [[Israel]], [[Lebanon]], [[Iraq]], [[Iran]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Oman]], [[Yemen]], [[Bahrain]], [[Egypt]], [[Kuwait]], [[Qatar]], [[Turkey]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Turkmenistan]], [[Macao]], [[Ceylon]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]]. |
| | The Middle East has been known since biblical times for both for its massive reserves of [[crude oil]] and for religious strife. This area, whose history dates back to ancient times, is in modern times - a strategically, economically, politically, culturally, and religiously sensitive region.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/hottopics/Middle_East.shtml The Middle East].Newsmax.</ref> | | The Middle East has been known since biblical times for both for its massive reserves of [[crude oil]] and for religious strife. This area, whose history dates back to ancient times, is in modern times - a strategically, economically, politically, culturally, and religiously sensitive region.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/hottopics/Middle_East.shtml The Middle East].Newsmax.</ref> |