The countries and physical geography of the Middle East

The Middle East is a region encompassing a variety of countries, often defined with slight variations depending on the context. It is strategically located between Europe, Asia, and Africa, featuring diverse terrains and significant geographical features.

Countries included in the Middle East

The Middle East typically includes Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. Key urban centres include Istanbul in Turkey, Cairo in Egypt, and Tehran in Iran.

Geopolitical tensions:

• Territorial conflicts exist in areas such as between Israel and neighbouring Palestinian regions.
• Kurdish populations in Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq are seeking independence.

Major physical features

Rivers and water resources:

• The Euphrates and Tigris rivers flow through Syria and Iraq, providing vital water resources in an arid region.

Location and terrain:

• Bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the Middle East is a crossroads of continents.
• The region includes hot deserts, mountains, temperate grasslands, and Mediterranean coastal areas.

Climate and biomes across the Middle East

The Middle East exhibits a range of climatic conditions, predominantly arid, but with pockets of other biomes along coastal and inland areas. These conditions shape the natural environment and influence what can grow or survive in different parts.

Hot desert climate

Hot desert climate covers vast areas, including all of Saudi Arabia, with high temperatures and minimal rainfall. In cities like Muscat, Oman, the average yearly temperature exceeds 28°C, with annual rainfall around 100 mm. Vegetation is limited to hardy shrubs and herbs in Saudi Arabia due to extreme heat, water scarcity, and poor, sandy soils.

Mediterranean biome

The Mediterranean biome is found along the Mediterranean Sea coast. It features hot summers averaging up to 30°C monthly, with mild winters rarely below 5°C. Rainfall is mostly in winter, leaving summers arid. Originally home to evergreen and deciduous trees, much of this has been replaced by thorny shrubs due to overgrazing and farming.

Temperate grassland areas

Temperate grasslands are located in inland regions of Turkey and Iran. These areas have less extreme conditions than deserts, supporting grasslands suitable for grazing and some agriculture.

Wealth and development variations in the Middle East

Economic prosperity and levels of development differ significantly across the Middle East, influenced by natural resources, industry diversity, and ongoing conflicts.

Economic drivers

Oil and gas wealth:

• Many countries possess vast reserves of oil and natural gas, exported globally.
• Qatar relies heavily on these exports, boasting a Gross National Income (GNI) per head of over $60,000, among the highest globally.

Diverse economies:

• Beyond oil, Israel excels in services and technology sectors.
• Turkey benefits from strong agricultural and manufacturing industries.

Development contrasts

Israel shows high development indicators with a life expectancy of 83 years and a literacy rate of 98%. In contrast, Yemen lags with a life expectancy of 66 years and a literacy rate of 70%. Wars and civil unrest, such as the Iraq War (2003-2011) and ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, severely disrupt development and cause significant human loss.

Development indicators comparison:

Population size and characteristics in the Middle East

The Middle East is home to diverse populations, varying widely in size, density, age structure, and urbanisation levels, shaped by cultural, economic, and conflict-related factors.

Population size and age structure

Population extremes:

• Egypt hosts the largest population at 97.6 million.
• Cyprus has the smallest at 1.2 million.

Age demographics:

• Iraq and Yemen have youthful populations, with 40% under 15 years old.
• Qatar, influenced by foreign male migrant workers, has an older demographic, with only 14% under 15.

Conflict-driven migration:

• During Syria's civil war in 2013, its population dropped by approximately 3%.
• Lebanon saw a growth of about 7% due to incoming refugees.

Population density and urbanisation

Density contrasts:

• Bahrain, a compact island nation, has a high density of 1918 people per km².
• Oman, with vast desert expanses, has the lowest at 15 people per km².

Urban vs rural distribution:

• Qatar is highly urbanised with 99% of its population in cities.
• In Yemen, only 36% live in urban areas, reflecting a more rural lifestyle.