Middle East Map: Explore Interactive and Printable Maps & Full Country List

The Middle East is a region that has captivated the world for centuries, due to its rich history, cultural diversity, and pivotal role in global affairs. Located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia, it serves as both a geographic and cultural bridge between the West and the East. This Middle East map offers a fascinating window into its complexity, showcasing a land of diverse peoples, ancient civilizations, and critical political significance.

Interactive Map of the Middle East

Hover or click on the below interactive map to see the name of the country.

MinerP, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, modified by MapQuest

Geographic Boundaries of the Middle East

The exact borders of the Middle East can vary depending on the context, but the region typically includes countries in Western Asia and parts of North Africa. Broadly speaking, the Middle East stretches from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the Arabian Peninsula and as far east as Iran. Major countries commonly included are:

Middle East Country List in Alphabetical Order

Country	Population
Bahrain	1,690,900
Egypt	113,210,388
Iran	89,351,259
Iraq	40,063,400
Israel	9,842,000
Jordan	10,185,500
Kuwait	4,259,500
Lebanon	6,830,600
Oman	5,081,600
Qatar	2,113,000
Saudi Arabia	34,719,000
Syria	17,425,600
Turkey	85,372,377
United Arab Emirates	9,869,000
Yemen	29,710,300

Population data from the United Nations

In North Africa, Egypt is traditionally included due to its historical and political ties to the Middle East. However, some definitions of the Middle East also include these countries as part of the region:

Physical Features: A Diverse Landscape

The geography of the Middle East is incredibly varied, encompassing arid deserts, fertile river valleys, mountains, and coastlines along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. Key geographic features include:

The Arabian Desert: Spanning much of Saudi Arabia, it is one of the world’s largest and driest deserts.
The Fertile Crescent: This arc of rich farmland extends from modern-day Iraq through Syria, Israel, and into Egypt’s Nile Delta.
The Zagros and Taurus Mountains: These mountain ranges form natural borders to the north and east, defining the region’s periphery.
The Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates Rivers: These rivers have supported some of the oldest civilizations in human history, including the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Babylonians.

Cultural and Religious Significance

The Middle East is a cradle of civilization and a birthplace of major world religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As such, it is home to numerous religious and historical landmarks that are revered globally, such as:

Jerusalem: Sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, it contains sites like the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Mecca and Medina: The two holiest cities in Islam, located in Saudi Arabia.
Baghdad and Cairo: Historic centers of learning and culture during the Islamic Golden Age.

The diversity of languages, ethnicities, and cultures in the Middle East is vast. The region is home to Arabs, Persians, Turks, Kurds, and many other ethnic groups, each contributing to its rich cultural mosaic. Arabic is the dominant language, but Persian (Farsi), Turkish, Hebrew, and Kurdish are also widely spoken.

Political and Economic Importance

The modern Middle East is highly significant on the world stage due to its oil reserves, which supply much of the world's energy needs. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Iran are among the world's leading oil producers, making the region a hub of global economic interest.

Politically, the Middle East is often in the spotlight due to its strategic location and the complexity of its political landscape. It is a region marked by both cooperation and conflict, with issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, regional rivalries, and the influence of external powers (such as the U.S., Russia, and China) shaping its modern dynamics.