List of Countries in Middle East

The Middle East is an area defined in West Asia and North Africa. The name of Middle East emerged when British colonial officials in the 1800’s divided the Orient into three administrative areas: Near East (West of India), Middle East (Western Asia) and Far East (Eastern Asia). At that time, the Middle East included Afghanistan, Pakistan and most part of India. In 1932, the British military Middle East office in Baghdad was moved to Cairo and was merged with the Near East office. The Middle East then gained entry as a designation for the Western Orient.

Geographically, the Middle East holds over two-thirds of the world’s known oil reserves and one-third of natural gas reserves. The area is generally dry and in many places water scarcity is a crucial problem. In most Middle Eastern societies, there are great differences between rich and poor, and from many countries great emigration is taking place. Huge areas of the region are largely uninhabited, but some cities and areas such as Cairo (and the entire Nile Valley), Gaza and Tehran have some of the densest population concentrations in the world.

Culturally, the Middle East was home to several of Earth’s oldest cultural communities, and here emerged the three major monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Politically, most of the countries in Middle East have monopoly regimes, while a few have actual democracy (e.g. Israel) or incipient pluralistic governance (Yemen, Jordan, etc.). The location of some of the world’s most important sailing routes (Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz), the huge energy reserves and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 have made it an area of ​​central political and economic importance, and for most of the post-war period, the Middle East has been a conflict-ridden center.

How Many Countries in Middle East

As of 2020, there are 16 countries in Middle East (listed by population).

Rank	Country	Population 2020
1	Egypt	101,995,710
2	Turkey	84,181,320
3	Iran	83,805,676
4	Iraq	40,063,420
5	Saudi Arabia	34,719,030
6	Yemen	29,710,289
7	Syria	17,425,598
8	Jordan	10,185,479
9	United Arab Emirates	9,869,017
10	Israel	8,639,821
11	Lebanon	6,830,632
12	Oman	5,081,618
13	Palestine	4,816,514
14	Kuwait	4,259,536
15	Qatar	2,113,077
16	Bahrain	1,690,888

Map of Middle Eastern Countries

Location Map of Middle East

Alphabetical List of All Countries in Middle East

As mentioned above, there are a total of 16 independent nations in Middle East. See the following table for full list of Middle East countries in alphabetical order:

#	Country	Official Name	Independence Date
1	Bahrain	Kingdom of Bahrain	December 16, 1971
2	Cyprus	Republic of Cyprus	October 1, 1960
3	Egypt	Arab Republic of Egypt	January 1, 1956
4	Iran	Islamic Republic of Iran	April 1, 1979
5	Iraq	Republic of Iraq	October 3, 1932
6	Israel	State of Israel	1948
7	Jordan	Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan	May 25, 1946
8	Kuwait	State of Kuwait	February 25, 1961
9	Lebanon	Lebanese Republic	November 22, 1943
10	Oman	Sultanate of Oman	November 18, 1650
11	Qatar	State of Qatar	December 18, 1971
12	Saudi Arabia	Kingdom of Saudi Arabia	–
13	Syria	Syrian Arab Republic	April 17, 1946
14	Turkey	Republic of Turkey	–
15	United Arab Emirates	United Arab Emirates	December 2, 1971
16	Yemen	Republic of Yemen	November 30, 1967

Brief History of the Middle East

Ancient Civilizations

The Middle East, often referred to as the “Cradle of Civilization,” has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. This region was home to some of the earliest and most influential civilizations in human history. The Sumerians, who emerged in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) around 3500 BCE, are credited with developing the first known writing system, cuneiform. They were followed by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, each of whom contributed significantly to the cultural and technological advancements of the time.

The Rise of Empires

The Persian Empire

In the 6th century BCE, the Persian Empire rose to prominence under the leadership of Cyrus the Great. The Achaemenid Empire, as it was known, became one of the largest empires in history, stretching from the Indus Valley to the Balkans. The Persians are known for their contributions to administration, architecture, and the promotion of Zoroastrianism.

The Greek and Roman Influence

The conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE brought Greek culture and influence to the Middle East. After Alexander’s death, his empire fragmented, and the Seleucid Empire controlled much of the Middle East. Later, the region became part of the Roman Empire, with significant cities like Antioch and Alexandria becoming centers of trade and culture.

The Birth of Islam

The 7th century CE marked a turning point in the history of the Middle East with the rise of Islam. The Prophet Muhammad, born in Mecca in 570 CE, founded Islam and unified the Arabian Peninsula under its banner. After his death, the Rashidun Caliphate expanded rapidly, followed by the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates. These caliphates played crucial roles in spreading Islamic culture, science, and trade across the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond.

Medieval Period

The Seljuk and Ottoman Empires

In the 11th century, the Seljuk Turks emerged as a dominant power in the Middle East. They defended the Islamic world against Crusader invasions and fostered a renaissance in Islamic culture and learning. By the 15th century, the Ottoman Empire rose to prominence, eventually capturing Constantinople in 1453 and ending the Byzantine Empire. The Ottomans controlled vast territories in the Middle East, North Africa, and southeastern Europe, maintaining a stable and prosperous empire for centuries.

The Mongol Invasions

The 13th century saw the devastating Mongol invasions led by Genghis Khan and his successors. These invasions disrupted the social and political fabric of the Middle East but also led to the exchange of ideas and technologies between East and West.

Modern Era

The Decline of the Ottoman Empire

By the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire began to decline due to internal strife, economic challenges, and external pressures from European powers. The empire’s involvement in World War I on the side of the Central Powers led to its eventual disintegration. The Treaty of Sèvres in 1920 and the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 resulted in the partitioning of Ottoman territories and the creation of new nation-states.

Colonialism and Independence

The aftermath of World War I saw the Middle East under the influence of European colonial powers, primarily Britain and France. The Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 and the Balfour Declaration of 1917 had lasting impacts on the political landscape of the region. However, the mid-20th century witnessed a wave of independence movements. Countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon gained independence, leading to the establishment of modern nation-states.

Contemporary Issues

The Arab-Israeli Conflict

The creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent Arab-Israeli wars have been central issues in the contemporary history of the Middle East. The conflict has led to numerous wars, displacements, and ongoing tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors.

The Rise of Oil Economies

The discovery of vast oil reserves in the early 20th century transformed the economies of several Middle Eastern countries, particularly in the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and other nations became major players in the global energy market, leading to significant economic and geopolitical shifts.

Recent Developments

The late 20th and early 21st centuries have been marked by significant events such as the Iranian Revolution of 1979, the Gulf Wars, the Arab Spring uprisings, and ongoing conflicts in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq. These events have shaped the contemporary political and social landscape of the Middle East, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the region’s future.