What is considered the Middle East? (best, country, people, speak)

[bgibs]

The Middle East refers to countries in West Asia. However, not every in country in West Asia is considered Middle Eastern. Even though Armenia is geographically located in West Asia, Armenians consider themselves European instead of Middle Eastern. It is disputed whether or not Turkey is Middle Eastern or European. I know every country in West Asia isn't Islamic and doesn't speak Arabic. Does a country have to be Arabic to be considered Middle Eastern? Do North Africans consider themselves Middle Easterners?

[Davy-040]

Western Asia (West of Caspian Sea) = Near East

Central Asia (East of Caspian Sea/West of China and India = Middle East

Eastern Asia (East of The Stans) = Far East

[PacoMartin]

United Nations CLASSIFICATION OF COUNTRIES BY MAJOR AREA AND REGION OF THE WORLD

Western Asia

1. Cyprus
2. Turkey
   .
3. Armenia
4. Azerbaijan
5. Georgia
   .
6. State of Palestine
7. Syrian Arab Republic
8. Israel
9. Jordan
10. Lebanon
    .
11. Iraq
    .
12. Bahrain
13. Kuwait
14. Oman
15. Qatar
16. Saudi Arabia
17. United Arab Emirates
18. Yemen

You will never get universal agreement of the definition of regions of the world. The best you can do is use the official definition of a major organization (like the United Nations).

Certainly Cyprus as a member of the European Union, and Turkey with an application in to join the EU have an argument that they are part of Europe. When you are in Bahrain and they advertise Middle Eastern food, they mean Lebanese food.

And you mentioned Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia who feel that they are a different people from the citizens of the other countries on the list.

Many people consider Iran to be part of the Western Asia/Middle East.

[Davy-040]

Originally Posted by PacoMartin

Many people consider Iran to be part of the Western Asia/Middle East.

Only West of Qom is Western Asia/Near East, rest of Iran is Central Asia/Middle East.

[japanese001]

Middle East
https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_East

[Davy-040]

Near East
Middle East
Far East

[twnxn]

There is always debate on whether Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are part of Asia or Europe. I would say geographically they are in Asia- Western Asia. Then there are people who may wonder why they are not considered part of the Middle East or Near East. I suspect (just only my opinion) part of the reason (not the only reason) is that Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia used to be controlled by the former Soviet Union and though the Soviet Union covered both Europe and Northern Asia, the capital was in Moscow. So Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, at one time, answered to Moscow which is considered part of Eastern Europe. I believe Armenia and Georgia, the population is largely Christian. While Azerbaijan is mostly Muslim. Armenia also speaks an Indo-European language. While Georgia the language is Kartvelian language (South Caucasian as in being part of the South Caucasus mountains). The Azerbaijani language is Turkic language-somewhat related to Turkish.

[Arvan]

Region classifications are strictly political. They are Middle Eastern in every way, but as First world states chop up states and fight the Soviets for more land, the classification is really not so relevant. We're all Middle Eastern in that region. I am Armenian from Iraq. Azeri's are ethnic Turks mixed with Iranic roots. Armenians/Assyrians have had our lands stolen and sliced to next to nothing.

[Dangerous-Boy]

they need to put a fire temple in the heart of qom

[Michiko_shanyang]

as a country in Western Asia and famous for its many camels and date palm