World Maps - Middle East

Middle East - The Middle East covers the regions of south-western Asia between Turkey and Afghanistan, and includes the Arabian peninsula in the south.
The Middle East is characterized by its arid climate, its oil wealth and the presence of Islam, the main religion. It constitutes a strategic region between Asian and European countries.
The Middle East has an arid to semi-arid climate, except in areas close to the Mediterranean, Aegean, Black and Caspian Seas. The region is characterized by high temperatures, notably in the Arabian, Syrian and Iranian deserts.
This region was home to 297.4 million inhabitants in 1998 and life expectancy has been increasing over the past several years. In many countries, petroleum has indirectly contributed to the increase in urbanization.