Features include interactive map, in-depth stories, and
more.Download now. » The week's top five must-sees, delivered to
your inbox. The Middle East or Mideast is a region that
encompasses Western Asia and all of or part of Northern Africa,
depending on the context. The term is considered to be
Eurocentric and used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition
to Far East. The corresponding adjective is Middle-Eastern and
the derived noun is Middle-Easterner. The history of the Middle
East dates back to ancient times, and throughout its history,
the Middle East has been a major centre of world affairs. When
discussing ancient history, however, the term Near East is more
commonly used. The Middle East is also the historical origin of
major religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The
Middle East generally has an arid and hot climate, with several
major rivers providing for irrigation to support agriculture in
limited areas. Many countries located around the Persian Gulf
have large quantities of crude oi