Arab countries. Palestine, Jordan, Iraq

The Modern world is divided into several parts characterized by some peculiarities. East and West, European and Arabic culture have their own geopolitical «reference». Today the term “Arab countries” refers to the state, the bulk of the population which speaks Arabic language.

The Union of Arab States

22 such countries United in an international organization-League of Arab States. The total area of the territory inhabited by populations speaking the Arabic language, is about 13 million km². This education is in the area of the connection of three continents-Asia, Africa and Europe. Thus, the Arab countries represent almost one geo-cultural space, located from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic ocean, a large part of the population which has Arabic roots.

Linguistic and cultural features

The Main forming element of any Arab state is language and culture that develops based on it. Today, this culture is open and exposed to others, such as Indian, Mongolian, Andalusian. However, the most heavily influenced by the Western tradition.

Religion

In the Arab community, such a religion as Islam, plays a dual role. On the one hand, it brings together Arabs in public and political life, and on the other – is the cause of disputes and even armed conflicts between supporters of different movements inside. It should be understood that Arab and Muslim countries are not identical terms. The world is not all Arab States are Muslim, some simultaneously co-exist several religious denominations. In addition, it should be remembered that Muslim countries are those where the majority of residents are not Arabs.

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The Arab world

In Total there are 23 Arab countries, the list of which is presented below:

• The Republic of Djibouti;
• Of the Algerian Republic;
• The Kingdom of Bahrain;
• The Kingdom of Jordan;
• The Arab Republic of Egypt;
• The Republic of Yemen;
• Republic of Iraq;
• Republic of Lebanon.
• The Union of the Comoros;
• State of Kuwait
• The State of Qatar;
• Syrian Arab Republic;
• State of Libya;
• Islamic Republic of Mauritania;
• Kingdom of Morocco
• United Arab Emirates (UAE);
• Oman.
• Saudi Arabia;
• The Republic of South Sudan;
• The Federal Republic of Somalia;
• Tunisian Republic;
• The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara);
• Autonomous region of Palestine.

It Should be noted that not all Arab countries, the list of which is presented, is recognized by other States. So, the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, not a member of the League of Arab States (LAS), officially recognized only fifty countries around the world. The Moroccan authorities have control over much of its territories.

In addition, the state of Palestine, a member of the Arab League, recognized by 129 countries. In this country the two do not border region: the Gaza strip and the West Bank of the Jordan river.

The Arab world is geographically divided into three large groups:

African (Maghreb);

- Arabian

- the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Brief look at each of them.

Arab countries of Africa, or the Maghreb

In the strict sense of the Maghreb (the West) are the only States that are located to the West of Egypt. Today, however, is usually called so all the North African Arab countries such as Mauritania, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Egypt is considered the center, the heart of the Arab world and is part of the great Maghreb arc. Besides him, it includes countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Libya and Western Sahara.

Countries of the Arabian Peninsula

The largest Peninsula on the planet is Arabian. It is a large part of the countries-oil suppliers. For example, UAE (United Arab Emirates), consisting of seven independent States. In addition, on its territory there are such countries in terms of oil production as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar. In the old days, a country located on the Arabian Peninsula, acted only as a transit and staging points on the trade routes leading to Iraq and Iran. Today, due to open in the middle of the last century huge oil reserves in each of the Arab countries of the Arabian region has its own significant political, strategic and economic weight.

In addition, a country located in the Persian Gulf, are the historical centers of origin and development of Islam, where it has spread to other regions.

Eastern Mediterranean Countries

To the East of the Mediterranean the Asian region, bearingthe name of the Mashriq include the Arab East as the Republic of Iraq, Kingdom of Jordan, Syria, Libya and having only a status of autonomy for Palestine. Mashriq is since the founding in the late forties of the twentieth century of the state of Israel, the most restless, almost constantly warring area of the Arab world. Throughout the twentieth century, there was the Arab-Israeli wars and conflicts. Let us dwell on some of the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, Iraq, Jordan and Palestine.

Republic of Iraq

This is an Arab state located in the valleys of rivers Tigris and Euphrates in the Mesopotamian plain and bordering the South-East waters of the Arabian Gulf. The country shares borders with Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In the North and North-Eastern Iraq located the Iranian and Armenian highlands, which are characterized by high seismic activity.

The Country of Iraq, whose capital is Baghdad – the second largest Arab country of the Eastern Mediterranean and middle East region, with a population of over 16 million people.

The Revolution of 1958 led to the fall of the monarchy in this country, and since 1963 more and more political power began to gain the Arab Baath socialist Party (PASV). The result is a fierce struggle in the sixties of the last century the party came to power in 1979, led by Saddam Hussein. This event was a significant milestone in the life of the state. This politician has been able to eliminate all his rivals and establish a totalitarian regime of power. Hussein through liberalization of economic policy and unity of the nation on the idea of “common enemy”, was able to ensure the growth of your own popularity and get almost unlimited power.

Under his leadership Iraq was unleashed in 1980, a war against Iran that lasted until 1988. The turning point was 2003, when the US-led coalition forces invaded Iraq, the result of which was the execution of Saddam Hussein. The consequences of this invasion effect so far. The once strong country has become a huge battleground in which there is no developed industry, no peace.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

In southwest Asia, on the northwestern end of the Arabian Peninsula, to the West of Iraq and South of the Syrian Republic is located in the Kingdom of Jordan. Country map shows that almost the whole of its territory consists of desert plateau, and various hills and mountains. Jordan shares borders with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel and the Autonomous region of Palestine. The country has access to the Red sea. The capital is Amman. In addition, it is possible to allocate big cities Zarka & Irbid.

From 1953 to 1999, until his death, the country was ruled by king Hussein. Today, the Kingdom managed by his son-Abdullah II that are representative of the Hashemite dynasty and, as is commonly believed, a 43-generation one of the direct descendants of the prophet Muhammad. As a rule, the ruler in Arab countries has no limited impact, however, in Jordan the monarch's power is regulated by the Constitution and Parliament.

Today it is the most peaceful in all respects the territory of the Arab East. The main income of this country brings tourism, as well as using other, richer Arab States.

Palestine

This Autonomous region of the Eastern Mediterranean consists of two adjacent interconnected regions: the Gaza strip bordering Israel and Egypt and the West Bank of the Jordan river which just to the East in contact with Jordan, and all other sides surrounded by Israeli territory. Natural Palestine is divided into several areas: the fertile plain along the Mediterranean coast, and a hilly plateau, located to the East. In the very East of the country starts steppe, which fades into the Syrian desert.

In 1988, after many of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the refusal of Jordan and Egypt from claims on Palestinian territory, the national Council of Palestine declared an independent state. The first President of the autonomy was the legendary Yasser Arafat, after whose death, in 2005, this post was selected and are now in power Mahmoud Abbas. Today in Gaza strip's ruling party, Hamas, came to power after winning the elections in this autonomy. In the West Bank has control of all public activities of the Palestinian national authority.

The Relationship between Palestine and Israel are in an extremely stressed state and a permanent move into an armed confrontation. The borders of a Palestinian state is almost entirely controlled by the Israeli armed forces.