The Middle East is predominantly used as a geo-political indicator referring to the Arab state countries south of the Persian Gulf, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Turkey.  In recent years Afghanistan, Pakistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan have also been included in the definition.  The region is predominantly known for having 60% of the worlds oil and gas reserves however this is not the only commodity or significance of the region given its location and now young and highly educated and urban population. 

Throughout history, the Middle East has been a centre of world affairs as it is the historical origin of three of the world’s major religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and as such, in modern times the Middle East has remained a strategically, economically, politically, culturally and religiously sensitive region.

Population by country

Egypt                   77,420,000

Turkey                 73,914,260

Iran                      71,956,322

Iraq                      23,900,720

Saudi Arabia         28,686,633

Syria                     19,050,000

Israel                    7,026,000

Jordan                 5,703,000

UAE                      4,496,000

Lebanon              3,925,502

Palestine             3,702,000

Kuwait                 2,687,000

Oman                  2,567,000

Qatar                   813,000

Bahrain               727,000