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An Oud from The Middle East |
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This is only a first start. At the moment there are only geografic and ethnografic information at the Middle East pages.
But please check out the Africa pages, they are great!
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This is only a first start. At the moment there are only geografic and ethnografic information at the Middle East pages. But please check out the Africa pages, they are great! Links, Middle East:Al Mashriq - the Levant - Lebanon and the Middle East Description: Cultural riches from the Countries of Eastern Mediterian. |
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Bahrain
No map |
Population: 630.000
Capital: Manama
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian
8%
Background: Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian
Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs
among its larger neighbors. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has
turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself
into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic
and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a
community.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Bahrain
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Cypros
Map of Cypros |
Population: 760.000
Capital:
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Greek 78% (99.5% of the Greeks live in the Greek
Cypriot area; 0.5% of the Greeks live in the Turkish Cypriot area), Turkish
18% (1.3% of the Turks live in the Greek Cypriot area; 98.7% of the Turks
live in the Turkish Cypriot area), other 4% (99.2% of the other ethnic
groups live in the Greek Cypriot area; 0.8% of the other ethnic groups
live in the Turkish Cypriot area)
Background: Independence from the UK was approved in 1960 with
constitutional guarantees by the Greek Cypriot majority to the Turkish
Cypriot minority. In 11034 a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government
was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled almost
40% of the island. In 1983 the Turkish-held area declared itself the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus, but it is recognized only by Turkey. Cyprus
talks resumed in December 1999 to prepare the ground for a comprehensive
settlement.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Cypros
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Egypt
Map of Egypt |
Population: 68 million
Capital: Cairo
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Eastern Hamitic stock (Egyptians, Bedouins, and
Berbers) 99%, Greek, Nubian, Armenian, other European (primarily Italian
and French) 1%
Background: Nominally independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt
acquired full sovereignty following World War II. The completion of the
Aswan High Dam in 11031 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the
time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of
Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world) will
continue to stress Egyptian society and overtax resources as the country
enters the new millennium.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Egypt
Artists og Egypt:
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Gaza StripMap of Gaza Strip |
Population: 1 million
Capital:
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 99.4%, Jewish 0.6%
Background: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September
1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian
interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the
DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the
Palestinian Authority, which includes a Palestinian Legislative Council
elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities
for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4
May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in
additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September
1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 19103 Protocol Concerning
Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum,
and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that
Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external
security and for internal security and public order of settlements and
Israeli citizens. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations,
which resumed in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus.
Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied
with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement
- permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Iran
Map of Iran |
Population: 66,5 million
Capital: Teheran
Official language: Farsi
Ethnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani
8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1%
Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic
republic in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into exile. Conservative
clerical forces subsequently crushed westernizing liberal elements. Militant
Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran on 4 November 1979 and
held it until 20 January 1981. During 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive
war with Iraq over disputed territory. The key current issue is how rapidly
the country should open up to the modernizing influences of the outside
world.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Iran
Artists from Iran:
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Iraq
Map of Iraq |
Population: 22,5 million
Capital: Baghdad
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian
or other 5%
Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq
became an independent kingdom in 1932. A "republic" was proclaimed in 1958,
but in actuality a series of military strongmen have ruled the country
since then, the latest being SADDAM Husayn. Territorial disputes with Iran
led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-1988). In August
1990 Iraq seized Kuwait, but was expelled by US-led, UN coalition forces
during January-February 1991. The victors did not occupy Iraq, however,
thus allowing the regime to stay in control. Following Kuwait's liberation,
the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass
destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections.
UN trade sanctions remain in effect due to incomplete Iraqi compliance
with relevant UNSC resolutions.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Iraq
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Israel(also see Gaza Strip and West Bank entries)
Map of Israel |
Population: 6 million
Capital: Jerusalem
note: Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US,
like nearly all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv
Official language: Hebrew
Ethnic groups: Jewish 80.1% (Europe/America-born 32.1%, Israel-born
20.8%, Africa-born 14.6%, Asia-born 12.6%), non-Jewish 19.9% (mostly Arab)
(1996 est.)
Background: Following World War II, the British withdrew from
their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and
Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the
Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep
tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since
the 1967 war are not included in the Isreal country profile, unless otherwise
noted. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference
in October 1991, bilateral negotiations are being conducted between Israel
and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and
Gaza Strip) and Israel and Syria, to achieve a permanent settlement. On
25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 11039 Israel-Egypt
Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were
resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Israel
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Jordan
Map of Jordan |
Population: 5 million
Capital: Amman
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab 98%, Circassian 1%, Armenian 1%
Background: For most of its history since independence from British
administration in 1946, Jordan was ruled by King HUSSEIN (1953-1999). A
pragmatic ruler, he successfully navigated competing pressures from the
major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and a large
internal Palestinian population, through several wars and coup attempts.
In 1989 he resumed parliamentary elections and gradually permitted political
liberalization; in 1994 a formal peace treaty was signed with Israel.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Jordan
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Kurdish people |
The Kurdish people are the largest nation without a country. The old Kurdistan was devided among Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and USSR (Armenia) in 1922
Kurdish artists:
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Kuwait
Map of Kuwait |
Population: 2 million
note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2000 est.)
Capital: Kuwait
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%,
Iranian 4%, other 7%
Background: Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August
1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition
began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait
in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion dollars to repair oil
infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Kuwait
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Lebanon
Map of Lebanon |
Population: 3,5 million
Capital: Beirut
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Background: Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political
institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since 1991 and the
end of the devastating 16-year civil war. Under the Ta'if Accord - the
blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a
more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater
say in the political process while institutionalizing sectarian divisions
in the government. Since the end of the war, the Lebanese have conducted
several successful elections, most of the militias have been weakened or
disbanded, and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have extended central government
authority over about two-thirds of the country. Hizballah, the radical
Shi'a party, retains its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of
Lebanon. Israel maintains troops in southern Lebanon and continues to support
a proxy militia, the Army of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch
of territory contiguous to its border. Syria maintains about 25,000 troops
in Lebanon based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
Syria's troop deployment was legitimized by the Arab League during Lebanon's
civil war and in the Ta'if Accord. Damascus justifies its continued military
presence in Lebanon by citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's
requests, and the failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of
the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if Accord.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Lebanon
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Oman
Map of Oman |
Population: 2,5 million
Capital: Muscat
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani,
Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African
Background: In 11030, QABOOS bin Said Al Said ousted his father
and has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensive modernization program
has opened the country to the outside world and has preserved a long-standing
political and military relationship with Britain. Oman's moderate, independent
foreign policy has sought to maintain good relations with all Middle Eastern
countries.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Oman
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Qatar
Map of Qatar |
Population: 750.000
Capital: Doha
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab 40%, Pakistani 18%, Indian 18%, Iranian
10%, other 14%
Background: During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Qatari
economy was crippled by a continuous siphoning off of petroleum revenues
by the amir who had ruled the country since 11032. He was overthrown in
a bloodless coup by his own son in 1995. Oil and natural gas revenues enable
Qatar to have a per capita income not far below the leading industrial
countries of Western Europe.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
Map of Saudi Arabia |
Population: 22 million
Capital: Riyadh
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%
Background: In 1902 Abdul al-Aziz Ibn SAUD captured Riyadh and
set out on a 30-year campaign to unify the Arabian peninsula. In the 1930s,
the discovery of oil transformed the country. Following Iraq's invasion
of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000
refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for
the liberation of Kuwait the following year. A burgeoning population, aquifer
depletion, and an economy largely dependent on petroleum output and prices
are all major governmental concerns.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: Saudi Arabia
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Syria
Map of Syria |
Population: 16,5 million
Capital: Damascus
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians, and other 9.7%
Background: Following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire during
World War I, Syria was administered by the French until independence in
1946. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights to Israel.
Since 11036, Syrian troops have been stationed in Lebanon, ostensibly in
a peacekeeping capacity. Talks with Israel over the return of the Golan
Heights have recently been revived.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC
Country Profiles: Syria
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United Arab Emirates
Map of United Arab Emirates |
Population: 275.000
Capital: Washington, DC
Official language:
Ethnic groups: white 83.5%, black 12.4%, Asian 3.3%, Amerindian
0.8% (1992)
note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US
Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent
(especially of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US
who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.)
Background: The United States became the world's first modern
democracy after its break with Great Britain (1776) and the adoption of
a constitution (1789). During the 19th century, many new states were added
to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent
and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two major traumatic
experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the
Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and
II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most
powerful nation-state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment
and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC Country Profiles: United Arab Emirates
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West BankMap of West Bank |
Population: 2 million
Capital:
Official language:
Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab and other 83%, Jewish 17%
Background: The Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles on Interim
Self-Government Arrangements (the DOP), signed in Washington on 13 September
1993, provides for a transitional period not exceeding five years of Palestinian
interim self-government in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Under the
DOP, Israel agreed to transfer certain powers and responsibilities to the
Palestinian Authority, which includes a Palestinian Legislative Council
elected in January 1996, as part of interim self-governing arrangements
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. A transfer of powers and responsibilities
for the Gaza Strip and Jericho took place pursuant to the Israel-PLO 4
May 1994 Cairo Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area and in
additional areas of the West Bank pursuant to the Israel-PLO 28 September
1995 Interim Agreement, the Israel-PLO 15 January 19103 Protocol Concerning
Redeployment in Hebron, the Israel-PLO 23 October 1998 Wye River Memorandum,
and the 4 September 1999 Sharm el-Sheikh Agreement. The DOP provides that
Israel will retain responsibility during the transitional period for external
security and for internal security and public order of settlements and
Israeli citizens. Permanent status is to be determined through direct negotiations,
which resumed in September 1999 after a three-year hiatus.
Disputes - international: West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied
with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement
- permanent status to be determined through further negotiation
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Yemen
Map of Yemen |
Population: 17,5 million
Capital: Sanaa
Official language: Arabic
Ethnic groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South
Asians, Europeans
Background: North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire
in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern
port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South
Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation.
The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to
the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The
two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A
southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
More info: BBC
Country Profiles: Yemen