Many Americans may only know about the Middle East through our country’s occupation in the region during international conflict. Beyond that, it’s a mystery. There are some truly amazing facts about the Middle East. Agriculture, religion, and the written word originated in the Middle East. Here are 10 interesting facts about the Middle East that you may not have known.
Birthplace of Major Religions
Historically, religion has been a cause of war and conflict among nations; however, it’s surprising to learn that three major monotheistic religions originated from the same birthplace. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three major monotheistic religions that originated in the Middle East. For that reason, they share some similar beliefs and practices. Perhaps if more people knew how closely their religions are to one another, we’d avoid conflict.
Dead Sea: The Lowest Point in the World
Swimmers will quickly realize the Dead Sea’s unique properties when they submerge themselves in the waters. The lake (despite its name) is the lowest point on land, 1,388 feet below sea level. Its salt content is 10 times that of the ocean, which causes swimmers to float. These conditions make it almost inhabitable by life forms. However, some people visit for its therapeutic mud baths.
Largest and Most Populated Countries
How well do you know your Geography? By land mass, Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the region covering 830,000 square miles, which is larger than Mexico. In terms of population, Egypt has the highest population with a little over 100 million people. Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with the geological features of the Middle East. It could come in handy the next time you play trivia.
Burj Khalifa: The World’s Tallest Building
Looking right out of a Jetson’s cartoon, the Burj Khalifa holds the title for the world’s tallest building. The skyscraper stands at 2,717 feet (828 meters) and consists of 163 floors. Luckily, its elevators can reach a speed of 33 feet per second (10 meters per second). Perhaps, despite some people’s preconceived notion that the Middle East is mainly comprised of third-world countries, some cities are highly developed, even futuristic.
Arabic: The Most Widely Spoken Language
The Arabic language is steeped in a rich calligraphy tradition, and its cursive style often looks like a work of art. More than 15 countries list Arabic as their official language. Known for having an extensive vocabulary, both in classical and colloquial forms, Arabic words have made their way into English. This includes words like coffee, alcohol, lemon, and mattress. You may be unfamiliar with these facts, but that just makes them all the more fascinating.
Historical Crossroads of Civilizations
The earliest complex human civilization began in Egypt and Mesopotamia around 3500 BCE and 3100 BCE. Many consider it to be the “cradle of civilization.” Additionally, the location directly intersected trade routes between Europe and Asia, resulting in a mix of diverse cultures. Remember, it was also the birthplace of three major religions. The region is significant.
Coffee and Cafe
Can you imagine what your life would be without coffee? How else would you get up early in the morning and start your day? Or is it the afternoon work rally? The word coffee is derived from an Arabic word. The Middle East has a rich tradition of coffee; in fact, coffee was first cultivated in Yemen. It’s typically served as a welcome for guests. Coffee houses are just one big welcome party. And now you know more about the origins of coffee.
Revolutionary Inventions
Most people’s favorite invention from the Middle East is coffee, obviously, but its most revolutionary invention had a much larger impact on the world. The earliest forms of writing were developed by our friends, the Egyptians and the Mesopotamians. Designed initially to complete administrative tasks such as record-keeping, the Cuneiform was the first writing system. Some people are unaware that the written word was invented in the Middle East.
Geographical Features
When some people think about the Middle East they picture a vast desert with nomadic tribes riding camels. But the area is more nuanced than assumed. They have coastal areas, fertile rivers, and spectacular mountain ranges. Amazingly, the Tigris River and the Euphrates River are responsible for creating the fertile land where Mesopotamia first developed agriculture. See photographs that highlight the Middle East’s diverse landscapes and see the variety.
Undeciphered Ancient Language
Proto-Elamite is one of the earliest forms of writing and it remains undeciphered. The writing system was discovered in Iran, dating back 5,000 years. What an interesting piece of knowledge. Misconceptions of the Middle East should be cleared and your appreciation for the region should be fostered. These facts about the Middle East are interesting and provide a fresh perspective on the region.
