Eleanor Finch
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a region that includes countries in the Middle East (also called West Asia) and North Africa. There is no standardized definition of the region, and different organizations define it differently or do not recognize it as a region at all. The term MENA is often used in academia, military planning, disaster relief, media planning, and business writing. The region is typically considered to include around 19 countries, but the definition can be stretched to include up to 27. Some of the countries most commonly included in the MENA region are Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
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What You'll Learn
- Countries in North Africa include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan
- The Middle East includes Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Israel
- The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) include the Maghreb countries
- The Middle East is often referred to as the 'cradle of civilisation'
- Arabic is the official language of most countries in North Africa
Countries in North Africa include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a geographic region that encompasses the Middle East (also called West Asia) and North Africa. While there is no standardized definition of the region, and groupings may vary, the term typically includes countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
North Africa refers to a group of countries and territories occupying the northern portion of the African continent. There is no clear definition of its extent and boundaries, but it is often defined as the part of Africa stretching from the Atlantic shores in the west to the Red Sea coast and Suez Canal in the east. The countries that constitute North Africa include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan. These countries are closely connected in sentiment and foreign policy with the Arab states.
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is one of the Maghreb nations of North Africa. The indigenous inhabitants of Morocco are the Berbers, and even today, 99% of the country's population are Arab-Berbers. The official languages of Morocco are Berber and Arabic, and the official religion is Sunni Islam. The country's nominal GDP estimate for 2017 was $109.82 billion, making it the fifth-largest economy in Africa.
Algeria, officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is Africa's largest nation with an area of 2,381,740 square kilometres. The country's population is estimated to be around 43,053,050, making it the 33rd most populous nation in the world. Like Morocco, Algeria recognizes Berber as a second official language after Arabic. French also serves as an administrative language in the country.
Tunisia, officially the Republic of Tunisia, is a Northwest African country bordering Libya, Algeria, and the Mediterranean Sea. The country has a population of 36,471,770, with 98% of its population being Arabs, 1% Berbers, and a significant Christian minority. The official languages of Tunisia are Berber and Arabic.
Libya, officially the State of Libya, is Africa's fourth-largest nation with an area of approximately 1,759,540 square kilometres. Its administrative capital, Tripoli, is also its largest city, with a population of over 1 million people. Arabs constitute 92-97% of Libya's population, while Berbers make up around 10%.
Egypt, officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, occupies the northeast portion of the African continent and is separated from southwest Asia by the Sinai Peninsula. The country has an area of 1,001,450 square kilometres and a population of around 100,388,070. The official language of Egypt is Arabic, while Egyptian Arabic is its national language. Most of Egypt is desert, with the exception of the Nile River and the irrigated land along its banks. The Nile Valley is particularly fertile, and most of Egypt's population lives close to the river. Egypt has a significant Christian minority, known as the Copts.
Sudan covers a large area of 1,861,484 square kilometres in North Africa. It was Africa's largest country before the secession of South Sudan in 2011. Sudan was an Islamic state until 2020 when it became a secular country.
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The Middle East includes Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Israel
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a region that spans two continents, Asia and Africa, and includes a diverse range of countries and territories. While the specific countries included in the MENA region vary depending on the source, there is general agreement that the Middle East includes Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Israel.
Turkey is a unique country in the region as it is positioned in both Europe and Asia, forming part of the Eurasian landmass. It has a diverse cultural and linguistic landscape, with Turkish, Kurdish, and other languages spoken. Turkey has a rich history and was formerly known as the Levant, along with Greece, and the Arabic-speaking lands around the eastern Mediterranean.
Syria is another country in the Middle East with a diverse cultural and linguistic heritage. Ancient Christian communities exist in Syria, and the country is also home to various ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Jews, Assyrians, Greeks, and Armenians. French, for example, is spoken by some communities in Syria.
Lebanon, another Middle Eastern country, also has a diverse cultural and linguistic landscape. French is widely used in government facilities, media, and schools, reflecting the country's complex history and influences. Lebanon has a significant ancient Christian population and has experienced civil war and political turmoil, impacting its economic development.
Iraq, a country in the Middle East, was historically known as Mesopotamia and is one of the world's oldest civilizations. It is a diverse country with a range of ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Arabs, and others. Iraq has experienced various conflicts, including the Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf Wars.
Iran, part of the Middle East, was historically known as Persia and has a rich cultural heritage. It is predominantly Muslim, with Shia Islam being the dominant branch. Iran has a diverse linguistic landscape, with Persian, Kurdish, and other languages spoken. The country has experienced significant migration dynamics, with many Iranians emigrating and a fair proportion belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.
Israel, located in the Middle East, is the center of Judaism and has Hebrew as its official language. It has a diverse population, including Jewish immigrants from various countries, and a significant Arabic-speaking minority. Israel has a complex history and has been involved in conflicts with neighbouring Arab countries.
While these countries are generally considered part of the Middle East, the definitions and groupings can vary, and the region's boundaries remain a subject of debate among scholars, journalists, and organizations.
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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) include the Maghreb countries
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a geographic region encompassing the Middle East (or West Asia) and North Africa. The term is often used in academia, military planning, disaster relief, media planning, and business writing. However, it is important to note that there is no standardized definition of the MENA region, and different organizations may include varying territories.
The MENA region typically includes countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. These countries share cultural, economic, and environmental similarities, and some sources specifically refer to the three North African countries of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco as being closely connected in sentiment and foreign policy with the Arab states.
The Maghreb, a region of North Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea, is an integral part of MENA. The Maghreb includes the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plain of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. The people of the Maghreb belong to both Berber and Arab ethnolinguistic groups, with about one-sixth of the population still speaking one of the Berber languages, mainly in Algeria and Morocco. The Berbers are descended from the earlier inhabitants of the region, tracing their ancestry to Paleolithic times.
Medieval Muslim historians and geographers divided the Maghreb region into three areas: al-Maghrib al-Adna (the near Maghrib), al-Maghrib al-Awsat (the middle Maghrib), and al-Maghrib al-Aqsa (the far Maghrib). The eastern boundary of the Maghreb was a subject of disagreement among historians and geographers, with some including Egypt and Barqa (Cyrenaica) in the definition. However, Ibn Khaldun did not accept this expanded definition, stating that the inhabitants of the Maghreb did not consider Egypt and Barqa as part of their region.
The Maghreb has a rich history, with various Islamic variations adopted by the Berbers, the formation of several Arab dynasties, and the development of trans-Saharan trade. The invasion of the Banu Hilal and Banu Sulaym Arabs in the 11th century contributed to the spread of Bedouin Arabic to rural areas, including southern regions near the Sahara. The Maghrebi community successfully participated in the Mediterranean trade, facilitating contacts with European Jewish communities, particularly in pre-colonial times.
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The Middle East is often referred to as the 'cradle of civilisation'
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a geographic region encompassing the Middle East (also called West Asia) and North Africa. However, there is no standardised definition of the region, and different organisations define it differently or do not recognise it as a region at all. The term typically includes countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.
Around 6000 BC, Neolithic settlements began to appear in Egypt, attributed to migrants from the Fertile Crescent in the Near East who brought agriculture to the region. The first cities to house several tens of thousands of people were Uruk, Ur, Kish, and Eridu in Mesopotamia, followed by Susa in Elam and Memphis in Egypt, all by the 31st century BC.
The aceramic Neolithic at Mehrgarh in present-day Pakistan lasted from 7000 to 5500 BC, with the ceramic Neolithic lasting until 3300 BC. Mehrgarh is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming and herding in the Indian subcontinent. The culture centred around Mehrgarh likely migrated to the Indus Valley and became the Indus Valley Civilisation. The earliest fortified town in the region is Rehman Dheri, dated to 4000 BC in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to the River Zhob Valley in present-day Pakistan.
The term "cradle of Western civilisation" is also used to refer to other ancient civilisations, such as Greece and Rome. The earliest signs of a process leading to sedentary culture in the Levant date back to 12,000 BC with the Natufian culture, which evolved into an agricultural society by 10,000 BC.
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Arabic is the official language of most countries in North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a geographic region that includes the Middle East (also called West Asia) and North Africa. There is no standardised definition of the region, and different organisations define it differently or do not recognise it as a region at all. However, the term typically includes countries such as Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen.
Arabic is the official language in most countries in North Africa. There are 22 countries that are member states of the Arab League, and Arabic is the lingua franca of the Arab world. Modern Standard Arabic is the official language in 24 sovereign states, and it is a recognised minority language in the EU member state of Cyprus.
Arabic is a language cluster comprising 30 or so modern varieties, including Cypriot Arabic, Maltese, and Maghrebi Arabic. Maghrebi Arabic is a dialect spoken in the North African countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, and Western Sahara. It is characterised by a mixture of languages and unique units of sound, which can make it difficult for speakers of other Arabic dialects to understand.
The Arabic language has a long history in North Africa. It was the lingua franca of high culture under the Fatimids (909-1171) and later Muslim dynasties in North Africa and Spain. Andalusian Arabic was the official language in Spain and Portugal for over 700 years until 1492. Arabic was also an official language of Mandatory Palestine and was retained as an official language when the State of Israel was founded in 1948.
While Arabic is the dominant language in most countries in North Africa, there are some countries in the region where it is not widely spoken. For example, in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco, French is also commonly spoken due to the countries' colonial history. Additionally, there are significant linguistic diversities within the MENA region, with countries like Iran and Pakistan having other official languages.
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Frequently asked questions
MENA is an acronym for the Middle East and North Africa region. The region typically includes 19 countries, but the definition can be stretched to include up to 27.
The MENA region typically includes Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. However, there is no standardized definition, and different organizations may include other countries.
The MENA region is known for its substantial petroleum and natural gas production, accounting for more than half of the world's oil reserves and two-fifths of its natural gas reserves. This makes the region an important source of global economic and energy resources.
The MENA region shares cultural, economic, and environmental similarities. Arabic, with its various dialects, is the most widely spoken language in the region, and Islam is the dominant religion.
![24"x28" Poster: Large Scale Political map of The Middle East with Major Cities - Middle East Asia [Laminated]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71dvY98uc2L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
