Airlines, Aviation, Pioneers - History of flight - Britannica
A bewildering variety of planes from Henri Farman, Louis-Charles Bréguet, Pierre Latécoère, and others equipped domestic and international airlines. By the ...
Middle East
The British also used airlines to knit together elements of their far-flung empire. During the 1920s, Imperial Airways mounted operations in Africa and the <anchor>Middle East</anchor>. Across trackless stretches of sparsely inhabited desert, creative surveyor crews shrewdly drove cars and trucks to create a visible track for pilots to follow; in some areas, they plowed furrows in the ground. Into the late 1930s, standard equipment on these routes was the stately Handley Page H.P.42, a biplane having a wingspan of 130 feet (40 metres) and four 490-horsepower Bristol Jupiter engines. Depending on seating arrangements, 24 to 38 passengers cruised along at about 100 miles (160 km) per hour over the plane’s 500-mile (800-km) range. The airline scheduled several days (including overnight stops) to travel from London to the Cape of South Africa by air, compared with some weeks by steamship. The route’s clientele characteristically included well-placed colonial officials and wealthy business travelers who expected first-class service. Consequently, the H.P.42’s passenger cabin featured dimensions nearly equal to the size of a Pullman railway car, and patrons appreciated plush wall-to-wall carpeting and a stand-up bar. Attentive stewards served seven-course meals.
Middle East | History, Map, Countries, & Facts | Britannica
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[Middle East](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East)

Table of Contents


Introduction
[References & Edit History](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East/additional-info) [Quick Facts & Related Topics](/facts/Middle-East)

[Images](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East/images-videos)

[![Middle East](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-004-F90A3782/Middle-East.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-050-64B319CA/Middle-East.jpg)[![Afghanistan](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/5341-004-7A673F3F/Afghanistan.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/5341-050-0FDFBFFD/Afghanistan.jpg)[![Physical features of Arabia](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/5768-004-16F351F8/Arabia-map-elevation.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/68/5768-050-3E3A17AF/Arabia-map-elevation.jpg)[![Cyprus](https://cdn.britannica.com/84/7884-004-102C290F/Cyprus.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/84/7884-050-F84FC9CC/Cyprus.jpg)[![Egypt](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/186-004-13EE1F46/map-Egypt-border-areas-country-Sudan.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/86/186-050-74D54735/map-Egypt-border-areas-country-Sudan.jpg)[![Iran](https://cdn.britannica.com/23/1723-004-23ACD5A8/Iran.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/23/1723-050-55ED5D3F/Iran.jpg)[![Iraq](https://cdn.britannica.com/29/1729-004-AC685C4D/Iraq.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/29/1729-050-B2DDFD1A/Iraq.jpg)[![Israel. Political map: boundaries, cities. Includes locator.](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/1754-004-55B298A8/Israel.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/54/1754-050-BF5BF79B/Israel.jpg)[![Jordan](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/1841-004-C612C1D3/Jordan-map-boundaries-cities-locator.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/41/1841-050-687334E9/Jordan-map-boundaries-cities-locator.jpg)[![Lebanon](https://cdn.britannica.com/74/2074-004-86E47769/Lebanon.jpg)](https://cdn.britannica.com/74/2074-050-7CD7B615/Lebanon.jpg)

Quizzes


[![Tomb of Mohammed Bin Ali, Salalah, Oman.](https://cdn.britannica.com/30/102130-131-E2C56EF9/Tomb-Mohammed-Bin-Ali-Salalah-Oman.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/a-view-of-the-middle-east)

[A View of the Middle East](/quiz/a-view-of-the-middle-east)

[![7:023 Geography: Think of Something Big, globe showing Africa, Europe, and Eurasia](https://cdn.britannica.com/95/168695-131-11055CC5/Geography-Something-globe-Europe-Eurasia-Africa.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/world-tour)

[World Tour](/quiz/world-tour)

[![The President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale Palace (cropped out), shakes hands with the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Rome, Oct. 17, 2009. egypt protests 2011, protests in egypt 2011](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/147658-131-CFE0B956/Hosni-Mubarak-2009.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/before-they-were-world-leaders-middle-east-edition)

[Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition](/quiz/before-they-were-world-leaders-middle-east-edition)

[![Relief sculpture of Assyrian (Assyrer) people in the British Museum, London, England.](https://cdn.britannica.com/20/136920-131-3E1F5161/Relief-sculpture-people-Assyrian-British-Museum-England.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/quiz/geography-of-the-middle-east-quiz)

[Geography of the Middle East Quiz](/quiz/geography-of-the-middle-east-quiz)

Related Questions


- [What countries border Iran?](/question/What-countries-border-Iran)

Read Next


[![Middle East bee locator map](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/89908-131-D73216FB/Middle-East.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/are-the-middle-east-and-the-near-east-the-same-thing)

[Are the Middle East and the Near East the Same Thing?](/story/are-the-middle-east-and-the-near-east-the-same-thing)

[![An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.](https://cdn.britannica.com/52/196952-131-0665E4EE/Egyptians-hieroglyphics-carvings.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses)

[11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses](/list/11-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses)

[![Olduvai Gorge or Olduwai Gorge, Tanzania, Africa (eastern Serengeti Plain) Where fossil remains of more than 60 hominins provides the most continuous known record of human evolution. Mary Leakey and Louis Leakey made discoveries here. Archaeology](https://cdn.britannica.com/08/126108-131-AAADDF97/Africa-Olduvai-Gorge-fossil-hominins-Tanzania-record.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/7-amazing-historical-sites-in-africa)

[7 Amazing Historical Sites in Africa](/list/7-amazing-historical-sites-in-africa)

[![Great Pyramid of Cheops (Great Pyramid of Khufu) at Giza, Egypt. (Gizah)](https://cdn.britannica.com/13/170813-131-B69A007D/Great-Pyramid-of-Cheops-Giza-Egypt.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/9-historic-places-worth-exploring-in-egypt)

[9 Historic Places Worth Exploring in Egypt](/list/9-historic-places-worth-exploring-in-egypt)

Discover


[![Clouds of smoke rise from fires at the World Trade Center Towers as a result of terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Photographed 9:54 am in Lower Manhattan.](https://cdn.britannica.com/24/199824-131-8B2223A9/smoke-rise-Clouds-fires-result-terrorist-attack-September-11-2001.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[Timeline of the September 11 Attacks](/list/timeline-of-the-september-11-attacks)

[![A group of diverse individuals, who represent various occupations, stand with their arms raised in the air. labor day; laborers; construction worker; teacher; nurse; doctor; assistant; office staff; blue collar; workforce](https://cdn.britannica.com/40/239640-131-052DF02A/diverse-group-occupations-workforce.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[Why Is Labor Day Celebrated in September?](/story/why-is-labor-day-celebrated-in-september)

[![Andrew Jackson delivering a speech while on his way to Washington, D.C., for his inauguration in 1829. From Harper's Weekly, 1881.](https://cdn.britannica.com/94/182194-131-A1441287/Andrew-Jackson-town-supporters-inauguration-way-1829.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[5 Remarkably Close U.S. Presidential Elections](/list/5-remarkably-close-us-presidential-elections)

[![The Battle of New Orleans, by E. Percy Moran, c. 1910. Andrew Jackson, War of 1812.](https://cdn.britannica.com/94/159994-131-8E828D22/Battle-of-New-Orleans-oil-painting-E-1910.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/25-decade-defining-events-in-us-history)

[26 Decade-Defining Events in U.S. History](/story/25-decade-defining-events-in-us-history)

[![Aladdin and the Efrite, jinn, genie.](https://cdn.britannica.com/07/186707-131-EE0952B0/Efrite-Aladdin-jinn.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/5-creepy-things-from-the-thousand-and-one-nights)

[5 Creepy Things from _The Thousand and One Nights_](/list/5-creepy-things-from-the-thousand-and-one-nights)

[![Bakers Dozen of Donuts, or Paczki's](https://cdn.britannica.com/78/194478-131-980A335B/Bakers-Dozen-of-Donuts-Paczki.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/story/why-is-a-bakers-dozen-13)

[Why Is a Baker’s Dozen 13?](/story/why-is-a-bakers-dozen-13)

[![Orange basketball on black background and with low key lighting. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society](https://cdn.britannica.com/31/142331-131-EE300AF6/basketball-Orange-background-lighting-Homepage-entertainment-history-2010.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop)](/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time)

[The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time](/list/the-10-greatest-basketball-players-of-all-time)


Contents


[Geography & Travel](/browse/Geography-Travel)[Geographic Regions](/browse/Geographic-Regions)

# Middle East

region, Asia, Africa, and Europe



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- [GlobalSecurity.org - Near East / Middle East](https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/middle-east.htm)
- [UShistory.org - The Early Middle East](https://www.ushistory.org/civ/4.asp)
- [Public Broadcasting Service - Middle East](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/)
- [Indiana University Bloominton - Center for the Study of the Middle East - What and Where is the Middle East?](https://csme.indiana.edu/documents/cirricula/MEPolicyCouncil_What-WhereMiddleEast.pdf)

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Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

- [Middle East - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Middle-East/346176)
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External Websites


- [GlobalSecurity.org - Near East / Middle East](https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/middle-east.htm)
- [UShistory.org - The Early Middle East](https://www.ushistory.org/civ/4.asp)
- [Public Broadcasting Service - Middle East](http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/globalconnections/mideast/)
- [Indiana University Bloominton - Center for the Study of the Middle East - What and Where is the Middle East?](https://csme.indiana.edu/documents/cirricula/MEPolicyCouncil_What-WhereMiddleEast.pdf)

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

- [Middle East - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)](https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Middle-East/346176)
- [Middle East - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)](https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Middle-East/275834)


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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)

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Last Updated:

Sep 13, 2024
• [Article History](https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East/additional-info#history)


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## Recent News

Sep. 13, 2024, 11:38 AM ET (AP)


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[![](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-050-64B319CA/Middle-East.jpg?w=300)](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-050-64B319CA/Middle-East.jpg)

[Middle East](https://cdn.britannica.com/37/109437-050-64B319CA/Middle-East.jpg)(more)

**Middle East**, the lands around the southern and eastern shores of the [Mediterranean Sea](https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea), [encompassing](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompassing) at least the [Arabian Peninsula](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-peninsula-Asia) and, by some definitions, [Iran](https://www.britannica.com/place/Iran), [North Africa](https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Africa), and sometimes beyond. The central part of this general area was formerly called the [Near East](https://www.britannica.com/place/Near-East), a name given to it by some of the first modern Western geographers and historians, who tended to divide what they called the Orient into three regions. Near East applied to the [region](https://www.britannica.com/science/region-geography) nearest [Europe](https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe), extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the [Persian Gulf](https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf); Middle East, from the Persian Gulf to [Southeast Asia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Southeast-Asia); and Far East, those regions facing the [Pacific Ocean](https://www.britannica.com/place/Pacific-Ocean).

The change in usage began to evolve prior to [World War II](https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II) and tended to be confirmed during that war, when the term Middle East was given to the British military command in [Egypt](https://www.britannica.com/place/Egypt). By the mid-20th century a common definition of the Middle East [encompassed](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompassed) the states or territories of [Turkey](https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkey), [Cyprus](https://www.britannica.com/place/Cyprus), [Syria](https://www.britannica.com/place/Syria), [Lebanon](https://www.britannica.com/place/Lebanon), [Iraq](https://www.britannica.com/place/Iraq), Iran, [Israel](https://www.britannica.com/place/Israel), the [West Bank](https://www.britannica.com/place/West-Bank), the [Gaza Strip](https://www.britannica.com/place/Gaza-Strip), [Jordan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Jordan), Egypt, [Sudan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Sudan), [Libya](https://www.britannica.com/place/Libya), and the various states and territories of [Arabia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-Roman-province) proper ( [Saudi Arabia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia), [Kuwait](https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait), [Yemen](https://www.britannica.com/place/Yemen), [Oman](https://www.britannica.com/place/Oman), [Bahrain](https://www.britannica.com/place/Bahrain), [Qatar](https://www.britannica.com/place/Qatar), and the Trucial States, or Trucial Oman \[now [United Arab Emirates](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-Arab-Emirates)\]). Subsequent events have tended, in loose usage, to enlarge the number of lands included in the definition. The three North African countries of [Tunisia](https://www.britannica.com/place/Tunisia), [Algeria](https://www.britannica.com/place/Algeria), and [Morocco](https://www.britannica.com/place/Morocco) are closely connected in [sentiment](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sentiment) and [foreign policy](https://www.britannica.com/topic/foreign-policy) with the [Arab](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arab) states. In addition, geographic factors often require statesmen and others to take account of [Afghanistan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Afghanistan) and [Pakistan](https://www.britannica.com/place/Pakistan) in connection with the affairs of the Middle East.

[![The President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale Palace (cropped out), shakes hands with the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Rome, Oct. 17, 2009. egypt protests 2011, protests in egypt 2011](https://cdn.britannica.com/58/147658-131-CFE0B956/Hosni-Mubarak-2009.jpg)\
\
Britannica Quiz\
\
Before They Were World Leaders: Middle East Edition](/quiz/before-they-were-world-leaders-middle-east-edition)

Occasionally, [Greece](https://www.britannica.com/place/Greece) is included in the compass of the Middle East because the Middle Eastern (then Near Eastern) question in its modern form first became apparent when the Greeks rose in rebellion to assert their independence of the [Ottoman Empire](https://www.britannica.com/place/Ottoman-Empire) in 1821 ( _see_ [Eastern Question](https://www.britannica.com/event/Eastern-Question)). Turkey and Greece, together with the predominantly Arabic-speaking lands around the eastern end of the Mediterranean, were also formerly known as the [Levant](https://www.britannica.com/place/Levant).

Use of the term Middle East nonetheless remains unsettled, and some agencies (notably the [United States](https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States) [State Department](https://www.britannica.com/topic/US-Department-of-State) and certain bodies of the United Nations) still employ the term Near East.

[The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica](/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419)This article was most recently revised and updated by [Adam Augustyn](/editor/Adam-Augustyn/6394).