Basic Facts
Name: Middle East
Area: 7,207,575 sq km (2,782,860 sq mi)
Location: West Asia & North Africa
Population: 490 million
Population density: 68/sq km (176/sq mi)
Languages: Arabic, Persian, Turkish
Time zones: UTC+1 to UTC+4
Number of countries: 23
Main countries: Egypt, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, United Arab Emirates…
Largest cities: Cairo, Jerusalem, Mecca, Dubai, Istanbul, Tehran, Baghdad, Doha, Riyadh…
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Pyramids of Egypt
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Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, UAE
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Abu Simbel, Egypt
Where is Middle East?
Middle East is a European-centric geographic concept, referring to the region east of Europe, and between the Far East and the Near East. Specifically it refers to the region from the eastern and southern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf coastal area, covering about 23 countries and regions. Geographically, the Middle East includes almost the whole of West Asia, Egypt in North Africa, and the Transcaucasia next to Russia.
Best Time to Visit
The Middle East has a dry climate, featuring tropical desert climate, subtropical desert climate, Mediterranean climate, and temperate continental climate, among which the tropical desert climate is the main. Most parts of Middle East lie between 20 and 30 degrees north latitude, with the Tropic of Cancer running through. Meanwhile, the highlands block moist air from the ocean, resulting in high temperatures and extremely dry weather. It is best to avoid summer. The best time to visit Middle East is winter, generally from October or November to February or March of the next year.
Travel Highlights in Middle East
Egypt: Explore the First of the Four Ancient Civilizations
Egypt, located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, has rich tourism resources. The world's longest river, the Nile, runs through Egypt from south to north, with terrific scenery and temples on both sides. In addition, there are the vast Sahara Desert, beautiful Mediterranean coast, sunny Sinai Peninsula, and wonderful Red Sea.
• Top attractions: The Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Temple of Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel Temple, Nile River Cruise
• Recommended time for a visit: 7 to 10 days
Israel: A Pilgrimage to the Holy City of Jerusalem
Israel's special location has created its unique culture and history. When traveling in such an area, there are continuous surprises generated by the collision of different cultures. Here you can make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the birthplace of the three major religions of the world. You can float in the mysterious Dead Sea and have a mud bath. The Sea of Galilee is popular among outdoor travelers and photography enthusiasts. Tel Aviv, the most developed part of Israel, offers beautiful coastline and colorful nightlife.
• Top attractions: Western Wall (Wailing Wall), Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jaffa Old City, Bahai Gardens, Mount of Olives, Israel Museum, Via Dolorosa, Dead Sea
• Recommended time for a visit: 5 to 8 days
Turkey: Hot Air Balloon Ride over a Wonderland across Eurasia
Turkey has always been full of stories. The modern buildings of different shapes, the solemn ancient mosques, the cross-sea bridge flying over the Bosporus Strait, the ruins of Troy in Homer's Epic, the world-famous Cappadocia, and the beautiful Pamukkale hot spring resort make Turkey a tourist paradise.
• Top attractions: Pamukkale, Ephesus, Hagia Sophia Museum, Blue Mosque, Strait of Bosporus, Goreme Town
• Recommended time for a visit: 7 to 10 days
UAE: Experience Ultimate Modernity and Luxury
UAE, a desert country in the Middle East known for its oil production, is a popular transit port and a shopping paradise. Dubai is an ideal holiday resort with boundless deserts, beautiful beaches, exquisite shopping malls, and the world's tallest building. You can enjoy sunbathe and cocktails on pristine beaches, appreciate the world's finest buildings cluster, and look up at the stars in Abu Dhabi's desert at night.
• Top attractions: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Burj Khalifa, Ferrari World, Jumeirah Beach, Palm Island, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Fountain, Palace Downtown
• Recommended time for a visit: 5 to 7 days
Saudi Arabia: See Muslim Pilgrimage Site Mecca
Saudi Arabia is a veritable "oil kingdom", with the world's largest oil reserves and production, making it one of the richest countries in the world. Mecca and Medina, the holy cities of the Muslim Hajj, are two of Saudi Arabia's trump cards in tourism.
• Top attractions: Red Sea, Floating Mosque, King's Fountain, Al-Balad, Kingdom Tower
• Recommended time for a visit: 7 to 10 days
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Great Sphinx of Egypt
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Dead Sea, Israel
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Goreme Open-Air Museum, Turkey
