Middle East Countries

Introduction

Middle East region covers Western Asia and Northern Africa. The region is a major centre of world affairs. The three world major religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity are believed to have their origin in the Middle East. The region is generally arid with a hot climate. Major rivers in the region provides water for irrigation in order to support agriculture. The region is also endowed with certain minerals and crude oil. The information below is just a brief characteristic of only five countries of the Middle East region.

LIBYA

Capital: Tripoli

Population: 6,546,000

Geographic size: 1,759,540 sq. km.

Main language: Arabic

Main religious groups: Islam

Main ethnic group: Arab

Colonization: Italy

Year of independence: 1951

Political events: Libyan civil war, ousting/killing of Maummar Gaddafi

Current ruler: Mustafa Abdul Jalil

Political system: National Transition Council

Important political figures: Hafiz Ghoha, Abdel Rahim el-Kib

GDP per capita: $ 5691

Literacy rate: 82%

Infant or maternal mortality: 20.1|1000

Urban centers population: 40%

Important economic sector: oil

Defense spending:  6.3%

EGYPT

Capital:   Cairo

Population: 78,848,000

Geographic size: 1,001,450 sq. km.

Main language: Arabic

Main religious groups: Islam (94%)

Main ethnic group: Arab

Colonization: Britain

Year of independence: 1945

Political events: Revolution in Tahrir Square, ousting of Hosni Mubarak

Current ruler: Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi

Political system: multi party

Important political figures: Kamal El Ganzouri

GDP per capita: $ 2970

Literacy rate: 71.4%

Infant or maternal mortality: 25.2|1000

Urban centers population: 38%

Important economic sector: tourism, oil

Defense spending:  2.1%

SUDAN

Capital: Khartoum 

Population: 31,894,000

Geographic size: 1,886,068 sq. km.

Main language(s): Arabic

Main religious groups: Islam

Main ethnic group: Arab

Colonization: Britain

Year of independence: 1956

Political events: ICC warrant of arrest on Al Bashir, Cessation of South Sudan in 2011

Current ruler: Al Bashir

Political system: single party

Important political figures: Karamallah Abbas

GDP per capita: $ 2500

Literacy rate: 60.9

Infant or maternal mortality: 25|1000

Urban centers population: 31%

Important economic sector: oil

Defense spending: 3.4%

SAUDI ARABIA

Capital:   Riyadh

Population: 26,246,000

Geographic size: 1,960,582 sq. km.

Main language(s): Arabic

Main religious groups: Islam

Main ethnic group: Arab

Colonization: Not applicable

Year of independence: Not applicable

Political events: women given right to vote in General Election

Current ruler: King Abdallah

Political system: Monarchy

Important political figures: members of the Kingdom

GDP per capita: $ 4500

Literacy rate: 82.9

Infant or maternal mortality: 18.8

Urban centers population: 45%

Important economic sector: oil

Defense spending: 11.4%

IRAQ

Capital: Baghdad 

Population: 31,467,000

Geographic size: 437,072 sq. km.

Main language(s): Arabic, Kurd

Main religious groups: Muslim

Main ethnic group: Arab, Kurds

Colonization: Britain

Year of independence: 1932

Political events: overthrowing of Monarchy rule in1958, capturing and later killing of Saddam Hussein

Current ruler: Jalap

Political system: Multi party

Important political figures: Tariq al-Hashimi

GDP per capita: 3,513

Literacy rate: 79.1

Infant mortality: 33.2|1000

Urban centers population: 33%

Important economic sector: oil

Defense spending: 5.4%