54 how many countries belong to the Arab world. Eastern Mediterranean countries

The Arabic language is one of the main branches of the Semitic indigenous language, widespread throughout Western Asia and North Africa. It is distinguished by its special richness, both in terms of elaboration grammatical forms, as well as the number of words. After separating... ... encyclopedic Dictionary F. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

- (ASS) ruling mass political organizations in Egypt (1963 1976) and Libya (1972 1977), as well as political parties in Iraq (1964 1968), Lebanon (1980 1987) and Syria. Arab Socialist Union of Egypt; Arab Socialist Union ... ... Wikipedia

- [Universe] n., m., ??? Morphology: (no) what? peace, what? world, (see) what? world what? the world, about what? about the world and in the world; pl. What? worlds, (no) what? worlds than? worlds, (see) what? worlds than? worlds, about what? about the worlds 1. The world is everything that exists on ... Dictionary Dmitrieva

- (Arabic اللغة العربية الفصحى al luġatu l ʿarabīyatu l fuṣḥā "expressive (clear) Arabic", briefly (al)fuṣ ḥā, al fusha) or ALA, also, in Western Arabic studies, Modern Standard Arabic ( Modern Standard Arabic or … … Wikipedia

This term has other meanings, see Arab Socialist Union. Arab Socialist Union

This term has other meanings, see Arab Socialist Union. Arab Socialist Union (Libya) Logo Leader: Muammar Gaddafi Founded: June 11 ... Wikipedia

The Arabian Nightmare Genre: Romance

This article is proposed for deletion. An explanation of the reasons and a corresponding discussion can be found on the Wikipedia page: To be deleted / November 20, 2012. While the discussion process is ... Wikipedia

Arab Caliphate in the 7th-10th centuries- The consequences of the Arab conquests of the 7th-8th centuries. The vast Arab state Caliphate formed as a result of the conquests was very different from the Arab state of the first years of its existence. Having no experience in managing a complex state ... ... The World History. Encyclopedia

Books

• Arab world in the digital age. Social media as a form of political activity, A. R. Shishkina, L. M. Isaev. This study is devoted to the study of the use of the latest information technologies during the anti-regime demonstrations of 2011-2012. in some Arab countries. The work analyzes…
• The Arab World in the Age of the Thousand and One Nights by Edward Lane. Edward Lane created the widest panorama of life and customs in the countries of the Middle East from the Middle Ages to early XIX century. The book tells about religion, the wealth of Arabic literature and art,…

In this article, we present you full list countries where Arabic is spoken. The list includes not only those countries in which Arabic is the official language, but also those where Arabic is the second official language.

The Arab countries included in the first list are in alphabetical order. The article also includes data on gross domestic product (GDP), population and divisions for each dialect group of spoken Arabic. You will find the same data in the list of countries in which a significant part of the population speaks Arabic or whose second official language is Arabic.

List of Arab countries in alphabetical order

Jordan

Mauritania

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Palestine

Saudi Arabia

Syria
Tunisia

A Brief History of the Arabic Language and the Arab World

About 420 million people speak Arabic, making it the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. The word "Arab" means "nomad", and this is understandable, because the Arabic language came from nomadic tribes inhabiting the desert regions of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabic language developed in the fourth century AD from the Nabataean and Aramaic scripts. Arabic is written from right to left, the writing resembles italics, and the Arabic alphabet has 28 letters - almost like in English language. It has remained unchanged since the seventh century AD thanks to the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad recorded in the Qur'an. From the 8th century, the Arabic language began to spread throughout the Middle East and North Africa, as many people began to convert to Islam. Muslims are required to pray only in Arabic. Today, the Arab world is called the region, which includes the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, and the Arabic language is official there. Arab countries differ from each other in terms of history, culture, politics and dialects.

List of Arabic-speaking countries with GDP

The combined GDP of Arabic-speaking countries is $2851 trillion. This is approximately 4% of the gross world product (GMP). Many countries in the Arab world are considered emerging market economies. The Arab world, especially the Middle East, is most notable for its oil production. Saudi Arabia ranks second in the world in terms of oil production along with Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, occupying 7th, 8th and 11th places respectively. The economies of many of these countries depend solely on oil revenues. In Qatar, the Arab state with the highest GDP growth (5.6%), oil accounts for more than 70% of total government revenue, more than 60% of gross domestic product and about 85% of export earnings. However, oil production is not the only industry in the Arab world. For example, Jordan does not have oil or other resources for energy production. Their place is taken by services, which in this country account for more than 67% of GDP. The Jordanian banking sector is one of the most powerful in the region. The Arab Bank, headquartered in the Jordanian capital Amman, is one of the largest financial institutions in the Middle East. The standard of living in the countries of the Arab world is very different. Thus, Qatar has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world and is about $93.352, while Yemen has one of the lowest, equal to $1.473.

Arabic speaking frontier financial markets and least developed countries

Many Arabic-speaking countries either fall into the category of frontier financial markets or are considered Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Frontier financial markets tend to have large market opportunities and high potential for rapid growth. On the other hand, these frontier markets are often more risky than mature markets, and the lack of infrastructure can make it difficult to do business. The Arab LDCs are the Arabic-speaking countries with the lowest economic development. Countries like war-torn Syria are having their currency taken out and their economies in decline instead of growth.

It is important to note that even in these markets there are still some emerging industries and products in high demand.

The study of the economy shows that with a decrease in income, the demand for low-grade goods increases. Bus travel is an example of a low-grade product that is chosen by those whose incomes are lower. However, even in countries where the economy is in decline, the demand for some expensive goods may increase. Take, for example, armored personnel carriers. In war-torn Arab countries where security is paramount, they are in high demand.

The following is a list of the four Arab countries in this category:

The population of Arabic-speaking countries

According to 2013 data, the total population of the Arab world is estimated at 369.8 million people. This region stretches from Morocco in North Africa to Dubai in the Persian Gulf. The most populous country in the region is Egypt, while the sparsely populated country is Bahrain. Many countries in the Arab world have very high population growth rates. For example, Oman and Qatar have the highest population growth rates in the world at 9.2% and 5.65 respectively. About 90 percent of people in the Arab world consider themselves Muslims, six percent are Christians, and four percent practice other religions. Most of these people are ethnic Arabs; other major ethnic groups include Berbers and Kurds.

The following is a complete list of Arabic-speaking countries, arranged according to population:

Other Arabic speaking countries

In many countries, Arabic is either the second official language or there are significant Arabic-speaking communities. However, in all these countries, Arabic is a minority language. For example, in Chad there are two official languages– French and literary Arabic, as well as over 120 indigenous languages.

Arabic dialects

There are three forms of Arabic: modern standard Arabic (MSA), Classical Arabic/Qur'anic and Colloquial Arabic. MSA is the official modern language of the Arab world, based on the language of the Koran. MSA is widely taught in schools and universities in Arabic-speaking countries. It is also used to varying degrees in workplaces, government and facilities. mass media throughout the Arab world.

Despite the existence of the MSA, Arabic speakers grow up speaking the dialect of the region in which they live. Each Arabic-speaking country has its own form of spoken Arabic, which differs significantly from MSA. Any one dialect of colloquial Arabic can be used in an entire region or even a country. The main dialect groups of Arabic are as follows:

Map of Arabic dialects

Gulf Arabic - Dialects of the Persian Gulf

Bahrani - Bahraini

Najdi - Najdi

Omani - Omani

Hijazi and Rashaida - Hijazi

Dhofari - Dhofari

Yemeni and Somali - Yemeni and Somali

Chadic and Shuwa - Chadic

Sudanese - Sudanese

Sa'idi - Said

Egyptian - Egyptian

Judeo-Arabic - Jewish-Arabic

Nubi - Nubian

Cypriot Arabic - Cypriot Arabic

Iraqui - Iraqi

Levantine - Levantine (Levantine)

North Mesopotanian - North Mesopotamian

Morrocan - Moroccan

Tunisian - Tunisian

Algerian - Algerian

Lybian - Libyan

Hassaniya - Moorish

Saharans - Saharan

Geographically, the Arab world covers the region from the Atlantic Ocean near the northern part of East Africa to the Arabian Sea. A wide strip of the planet, including territory throughout North Africa, a large cluster in Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula, is connected by Arabic.

A Semitic language related to Hebrew, spoken by citizens of the member states of the Arab States, founded in 1945 to represent the interests of Arab people and achieve political unification of the Arab countries.

The political boundaries of the Arab world have historically deviated, leaving Arabs as minorities in the non-Arab countries of the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and the Middle Eastern countries (Cyprus, Turkey and Iran). At the same time, non-Arab minorities remained in Arab countries. However, the core geography of the sea, deserts, and mountains provide strong natural boundaries for the region.

Kingdom of Bahrain

• the capital is Manama;
• the official language is Arabic.

Located in the Persian Gulf in the Bahrain archipelago, in southwestern Asia. The state has been governed as a constitutional monarchy since 2002 under the leadership of the Sunni king Hamad ibn Isa Al-Khalifa, whose family holds all the major political and military posts in the government. The gap between the Shiite majority and the Sunni population led to long-term tensions, periodically turning into civil disobedience.

Bahrain is one of the first countries in the Persian Gulf where oil was discovered (production began in 1932) and an oil refinery was built. The energy sector remains the backbone of the kingdom's economy, accounting for a significant share of government revenue, but the share of GDP is also declining due to earlier efforts to diversify the economy away from hydrocarbons.

Failing to reach production levels like Kuwait or Saudi Arabia, Bahrain was forced to diversify its economy. This led to the kingdom becoming one of the main financial centers in the region. Transport links are being modernized, and work is underway to expand Bahrain International Airport, which is expected to enhance the country's status as a transit and logistics center.

Iraq

• capital - Baghdad;
• official languages ​​are Arabic and Kurdish.

Once a land of great civilizations, Iraq, located in western Asia, in modern history became a field for rival forces with high levels of sectarian violence after the US-initiated overthrow of President Saddam Hussein in 2003. The Shia-led governments that have held power ever since have struggled to maintain order, but the country has had only brief respite.

Archaeological Sites of Samarra, Iraq

Chaos and violence prevent the recovery of an economy devastated by decades of conflict and sanctions. Iran is the third largest country in the world in terms of crude oil reserves. The economy is expected to grow slightly in 2019, but much depends on the rise and fall in oil production and the economic impact of the Islamic State (IS) insurgency. The budget deficit is constantly growing.

The main ethnic groups are Arabs and Kurds. Others are Assyrians, Turkmens, Shabakis, Yezidis, Armenians, Mandaeans, Circassians and Cavlias.

• capital - Doha;
• the official language is Arabic.

Since gaining independence in 1971, Qatar has quickly become a regional and international leader. Economic, political and Cultural Center Middle East. With a relatively small local population and significant natural gas revenues, Qatar has the highest GDP per capita in the world (about US$100,000 on average).

Until 2010, the country was mostly known internationally as the home of the Al Jazeera media network, but that all changed when Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December 2010.

Numerous large billboard infrastructures continue to expand the construction industry. By focusing on extensive international investment, sufficient spending on significant infrastructure projects, labor migration issues, and state involvement in foreign and regional affairs, Qatar has made a name for itself in the international arena.

Qatar's significant oil and natural gas reserves underpin rapid economic growth.

The country is the world's fourth largest producer of dry natural gas and the largest producer of liquefied natural gas, making hydrocarbon revenues the bulk of national income.

While falling global energy prices have impacted export earnings, in recent years the economy's tight diversification has led to dividends, with non-hydrocarbon growth reaching 7.7% in 2015, compared to a 0.1% contraction for hydrocarbon growth over the same period. The country's financial sector continues to develop; Islamic banking in particular has seen significant progress.

Jordan

• capital - Amman;
• the official language is Arabic.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is located in the heart of the Middle East, in a region often referred to as the Levant. Jordan's significance stems from its strategic location - at the crossroads of what Christians, Jews and Muslims call the Holy Land.

It shares land borders with Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Syria. In the south it has access to the Red Sea through the Arabian Gulf. Jordan has few natural resources, but it has played important role in the struggle for power in the Middle East. Key US ally. One of two Arab countries (together with Egypt) that has a peace agreement with Israel.

• the capital is Sana'a;
• language is Arabic.

Despite its ancient roots as a crossroads between Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the modern Republic of Yemen is a relatively young state. Founded in 1990 as a result of the merger of North Yemen (officially the Yemeni Arab Republic) and South Yemen (officially the People's Democratic Republic Yemen).

Yemen is the poorest country in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict in the country has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. As of 2019, about 17 million Yemenis (60 percent of the total population) are in need of any humanitarian assistance, and 7 million are severely food insecure.

(El Kuwait; Arabic).

Kuwait is a small country located in southwestern Asia, in the upper part of the Persian Gulf region, surrounded by powerful neighbors: Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. The strategic position and huge oil reserves make Kuwait one of the richest countries in the world (5th place in GDP per capita). US ally.

A conservative state (Sheikhship) with a Sunni Muslim majority, Kuwait stands out from other monarchies in the Persian Gulf region for being the most open political system. As a member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Kuwait is arguably the most politically dynamic in the region, with tensions remaining between parliament and the government-controlled cabinet. ruling family Al Sabah. The government is facing growing opposition calls for radical political reform.

Continuing efforts to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues, Kuwait is increasing momentum in several major infrastructure projects, which should contribute to the further integration of the country into the world economy.

To visit the country is necessary.

(Beirut; Arabic).

With a high literacy rate and a traditional cash crop, Lebanon has always been an important shopping mall in the Middle East. Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, between Israel and Syria, Lebanon is the smallest country in the Middle East. But, despite its compact size, throughout its history it has played an important role in regional politics and security. Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians and Druze represent the main populations in the country, which has always been a refuge for the region's minorities.

After years of political turmoil, Lebanon has regained its former reputation as the "Switzerland of the Middle East" and is becoming an important international direction both for leisure and business. Pristine natural beauties, wonderful mountain and seaside resorts, excellent weather conditions, great food, European architecture, breathtaking night life, casinos, international hotels attract wealthy travelers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.

If you plan to visit the country and stay there for more than 30 days, then you must.

(Abu Dhabi; Arabic).

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) - a federation of seven emirates - is one of the most important economic centers of the Middle East. Before oil was discovered in the 1950s, the UAE's economy depended on fishing and pearling. The UAE has diversified and become a regional trading and tourist center. UAE companies have invested heavily in foreign countries.

Despite traditional conservatism, the UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the Persian Gulf. However, politically they remain an authoritarian state. Federal absolute monarchy. The two most famous emirates are cosmopolitan Dubai and oil-rich Abu Dhabi.

In recent years, both have played key role in managing trade and investment between the region and the rest of the world. Lesser known emirates are Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Although in Lately they also become important trading centers.

Relations with neighboring Iran remain strained due to the ongoing territorial dispute over the Persian Gulf islands. The UAE was one of three countries that recognized Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

Oman

(Muscat; Arabic).

Located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is the only member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf located outside the Gulf itself (at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula). Using its strategic position, it has invested in infrastructure with the aim of becoming a global logistics hub.

The country has fewer hydrocarbon reserves than the neighboring Arab states of the Persian Gulf, and efforts have been made to diversify the sultanate, becoming driving force economic growth. The long-term development strategy, Oman Vision 2020, emphasizes industrialization, privatization and omanization. Logistics, tourism, mining, fisheries and industrial production identified as potential future economic factors and are the focus of development in the framework of the 2040 vision.

The oldest independent state in the Arab world, Oman is one of the most traditional countries in the region. Oman has not been immune to political dissent in the region. Protests in 2011 demanding reforms were dispersed by the police, and in next year the government began cracking down on internet criticism.

Those wishing to travel to the country must.

Saudi Arabia

(Riyadh; Arabic).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the main players in the Arab world. Authority is built on geographic size, prestige as the birthplace of Islam, and the colossus' status as an oil producer. It is distinguished by the support of the puritanical version of Sunni Islam, which welcomes severe punishments, executions (public beheadings), and the oppression of women. it just doesn't come out.

State of Palestine

• the capital is Ramallah;
• language is Arabic.

Sovereign de jure state in the Middle East. the West Bank - bordering Israel and Jordan - and the Gaza Strip - bordering Israel and Egypt - with East Jerusalem as the designated capital, although the administrative center is located in Ramallah. The Palestinians seek self-determination but have achieved only limited control over their territories. The economy is fragmented and subject to Israeli restrictions. A significant part of the population depends on international food aid.

The Palestinian population - about ten or eleven million people - is divided between historical Palestine and the diaspora in neighboring Arab countries. Efforts to establish a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza on the Mediterranean coast have been thwarted by ongoing conflict with Israel and disputes over the status of diaspora Palestinians.

The war that followed the Israeli declaration of independence in 1948 saw the former British Mandate of Palestine divided among Israel, Trans-Jordan and Egypt. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were forced to leave their homeland during the war - the Palestinian Exodus, which they call the "Nakba" ("catastrophe").

Syria

The capital is Damascus.

Once the center of the Islamic Caliphate, Syria occupied territory that had been invaded for centuries, from the Romans and Mongols to the Crusaders and the Turks. A country of fertile plains, high mountains and deserts, home to various ethnic and religious groups, including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shiites and Arab Sunnis, the latter of which make up the majority of the Muslim population.

Modern Syria gained independence from France in 1946, but has experienced periods of political instability due to the conflicting interests of these various groups.
Since 2011, political power held by a small elite has been contested in a violent civil conflict, initially sparked by the Arab Spring, which has evolved into a complex war involving regional and international powers.

Algeria's national commitment to pan-Arabism and the Arab world in the Middle East and North Africa has led to an active role in the region. He joined the League of Arab States (LAS) immediately after the declaration of national independence in 1962.

To leave for Algeria is necessary.

Djibouti

• the capital is Djibouti;
• languages ​​- Arabic, French.

Located on the northeast coast of Africa, in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, Djibouti - officially the Republic of Djibouti - is washed by the Gulf of Aden in the east, bordering Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Thanks to geographic location Djibouti is of significant geopolitical interest, controlling access to and access to the main waterway - the Red Sea and one of the world's busiest shipping routes, the Suez Canal. Djibouti was under the protectorate of France (first a colony, then an overseas territory) until 1977. Supports foreign military presence: In 2002, the United States of America established the largest American military base in Africa (Camp Lemonnier) in Djibouti.

The seaport is the main source of the economy, providing the largest source of income and employment. As for metals and minerals, there are some deposits of gold, granite, limestone and marble. Djibouti is also looking to harness its significant geothermal resources to meet domestic energy demand.

• capital - Cairo;
• language is Arabic.

illustrious ancient civilization Egypt - the largest Arab country - plays a central role in Middle Eastern politics and in the modern era. Egypt's major cities and almost all agricultural activity are concentrated along the banks and the Nile Delta. Most of the country is occupied by deserts.

The economy is highly dependent on Agriculture, tourism and remittances of Egyptians working abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. However, rapid population growth and limited arable land drain the country's resources and economy, and political instability often paralyzes government efforts to resolve problems.

Egypt's great past and the fact that it was one of the first countries in the Middle East to open up Western world after the invasion of Napoleon, gives him the right to claim the role of intellectual and cultural leader in the region. Al-Azhar Mosque ( The Mosque of the Most Radiant) in Cairo is a symbol of Islamic Egypt and highly revered in the Sunni Muslim world.

The Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), declared by the Polisario Front in 1976, is now recognized by many governments and is a full member of the African Union. A buffer zone with landmines and fortifications runs the length of the disputed territory and separates the western part of Morocco from the eastern area controlled by the Polisario Front.

In addition to phosphate reserves and rich fishing grounds off the coast, Western Sahara is believed to have offshore oil fields.

Libya

• the capital is Tripoli;
• language is Arabic.

Libya, located in northern Africa, in the Maghreb region, is a mostly desert, oil-rich country with ancient history. It is washed in the north by the Mediterranean Sea, borders on Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Algeria and Tunisia. In modern history, it is known for the 42-year rule of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and the chaos that followed his overthrow in 2011 as a result of an armed insurgency with the assistance of Western military intervention. In recent years, Libya has been a key springboard for migrants heading to Europe.

There are serious concerns about the growth of Islamist militancy. The Libyan economy continues to shrink. The inflow of foreign direct investment has practically ceased, unemployment has risen sharply. deficit current account accounted for almost half of GDP in 2017, while exports fell sharply. Crude oil production has been declining since 2013. The economy may recover in the next few years, but this is largely dependent on a stable government and improved security.

To travel to Libya, foreigners need

The multi-million and colorful Arab world includes a number of countries in Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania) and Asia (Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, etc.). All of them are largely united on the basis of ethnic community and powerful civilizational traditions, in which the leading role is played by Islam. However, the level of socio-economic development of the Arab countries can hardly be called homogeneous.

Countries with huge oil reserves (especially the small Arabian states) are in a privileged position. The standard of living there is quite high and stable, and the once impoverished and backward Arabian monarchies, thanks to the flow of petrodollars, have turned into prosperous countries with the highest per capita incomes. And if at first they only exploited the generous gifts of nature, today the psychology of "rentier" is giving way to a sound and rational strategy. A striking example Kuwait, where billions of petrodollars are invested in programs of social and economic transformation, in the purchase of the latest technology, etc. Saudi Arabia and some other countries have embarked on the same path.

At the opposite pole are, for example, Sudan and Mauritania, which practically do not surpass poor African countries in terms of development. The system of mutual assistance somewhat softens these contrasts: a fair amount of petrodollars from the Arabian states is pumped over to the poorest Arab countries to support them.

Of course, the success of the Arab countries depends not only on the availability of natural oil reserves, but also on the development model they have chosen. The Arabs, like some African states, have already passed the stage of "socialist orientation", and today there is no longer a choice between socialism and capitalism. The issue of preserving the traditions of Islam and combining this with the attitude towards Western values ​​and the influence of Western culture is now perceived much more urgently and sharply in the Arab world.

Islamic fundamentalism(i.e., an extremely conservative trend in a particular religion), which noticeably revived in the last quarter of the 20th century. and covering, along with other regions, almost the entire Arab world, calls for a return to the purity of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, to restore the lost norms of life that are prescribed by the Koran. There is something more behind this: on the one hand, the desire to strengthen their civilizational identity, and on the other hand, to oppose the inviolability of tradition to the onslaught of the modern world, which is changing before our eyes. In some countries (for example, in Egypt), despite the increased frequency in the 90s. bursts of fundamentalism, a Eurocapitalist path has been chosen, which leads to an inevitable change in traditional foundations. In other states (in particular, in the Arabian monarchies), a deep adherence to Islam is combined with the assimilation of only the external standards of Western life, and by no means by the entire population. Finally, there is a third option: the complete rejection of everything that brings with it the influence of the West. This is the case, for example, in Iraq. There militant fundamentalism combined with aggressive foreign policy(which, by the way, caused a rebuff even from a number of Arab countries) inflicted in the 80-90s. a heavy blow to the economy of the state and seriously slowed down its development.

A somewhat similar situation arises in countries associated with the Arab one religion - Islam (Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan). The differences between them are also largely determined by their relationship to the Western model. If Turkey consistently continues to follow the Euro-capitalist path, then in Iran the course towards modernization and Europeanization, begun by Shah Reza Pahlavi back in the mid-1920s, led to mass discontent half a century later. As a result, Iran was proclaimed an Islamic republic (1979) and became one of the main strongholds of fundamentalism. The coming century will show what the future holds for Islamic fundamentalism and whether its adherents will be able to find special way development without exposing their countries to economic and political disasters.

The modern world is conditionally divided into several parts, characterized by some features. Western and eastern, European and Arab cultures have their own geopolitical "binding". Today, the term "Arab countries" refers to states whose main part of the population speaks Arabic.

Arab unification

22 such countries united in an international organization - the League of Arab States. The total area of ​​the territory where the Arabic-speaking population lives is approximately 13 million km2. This formation is located in the zone of connection of three continents - Asia, Africa and Europe. Thus, the Arab countries are practically a single geocultural space, located from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean, most of the population of which has Arab roots.

Linguistic and cultural features

The main forming element of any Arab state is the language and culture that develops on its basis. Today, such a culture is open and exposed to others, such as Indian, Mongolian, Andalusian. However, the most strong influence provided by Western traditions.

Religion

In the Arab community, the religion of Islam plays a dual role. On the one hand, it unites the Arabs in public and political life, and on the other hand, it causes disagreements and even armed conflicts between supporters of various currents inside. It should be understood that Arab and Muslim countries are not identical concepts. In the world, not all Arab states profess Islam; in some, several religious confessions coexist at the same time. In addition, it should be remembered that Muslim countries include those where the majority of the inhabitants are not Arabs.

Islam is a powerful cultural factor, thanks to which, along with language, the entire Arab world is united, but it can also divide and lead to bloody wars.

Arab countries

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

• Republic of Djibouti;
• Republic of Algiers;
• Kingdom of Bahrain;
• Kingdom of Jordan;
• Arab Republic of Egypt;
• Republic of Yemen;
• Republic of Iraq;
• Lebanese Republic;
• Union of the Comoros;
• State of Kuwait;
• State of Qatar;
• Syrian Arab Republic;
• State of Libya;
• Islamic Republic of Mauritania;
• Kingdom of Morocco;
• Oman;
• Saudi Arabia;
• Republic of South Sudan;
• Federal Republic of Somalia;
• Tunisian Republic;
• Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara);
• Palestine.

It should be noted that not all Arab countries, the list of which is presented, are recognized by other states. Thus, the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic, which is not a member of the League of Arab States (LAS), is officially recognized only by fifty countries of the world. Moroccan authorities exercise control over most of its territories.

In addition, the state of Palestine, which is part of the Arab League, is recognized by 129 states. In this country, two areas that do not have a common border: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank of the Jordan River.

The countries of the Arab world are geographically divided into three large groups:

African (Maghrib);

Arabian;

Eastern Mediterranean.

Let's briefly consider each of them.

Arabic or Maghreb

In the strict sense, only those states that are located to the west of Egypt are called the Maghreb (West). However, today it is customary to refer to all North African Arab countries, such as Mauritania, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. Egypt itself is considered the center, the heart of the entire Arab world and is part of the Great Maghreb arc. In addition to him, it includes such countries as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Libya and

Arabian Peninsula countries

The largest peninsula on our planet is Arabian. It is on it that most of the countries supplying oil are located. For example, consisting of seven independent states. In addition, it is on its territory that such countries leading in oil production as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar are located. In former times, the countries located on the Arabian Peninsula acted only as transshipment and intermediate points on the trade routes leading to Iraq and Iran. Today, thanks to the huge oil reserves discovered in the middle of the last century, each of the Arab countries of the Arabian region has its own significant political, strategic and economic weight.

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

Eastern Mediterranean countries

The East Mediterranean Asian region, called Mashrik, includes such countries of the Arab East as the Republic of Iraq, the Kingdom of Jordan, Syria, Libya, and Palestine, which has only the status of autonomy. Mashriq has been the most restless, almost constantly warring zone of the Arab world since the formation of the state of Israel in the late forties of the twentieth century. Throughout the 20th century, Arab-Israeli wars and conflicts constantly took place here. Let's take a closer look at these states. Eastern Mediterranean like Iraq, Jordan and Palestine.

Republic of Iraq

This Arab state is located in the valleys of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, in the Mesopotamian lowland, and is washed from the southeast by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The country borders with Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. In the north and northeast of Iraq are located Armenian and which are characterized by high seismic activity.

The country of Iraq, whose capital is Baghdad, is the second largest Arab country in 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 the Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (PASV) began to gain more and more political power. As a result of a fierce struggle in the sixties of the last century, this party came to power in 1979, headed by S. Hussein. This event was a significant stage in the life of the state. It was this politician who managed to eliminate all his rivals and establish a regime of totalitarian power. Hussein, through the liberalization of economic policy and the rallying of the nation on the idea of ​​a "common enemy", managed to ensure the growth of his own popularity and gain almost unlimited power.

Under his leadership, Iraq unleashed a war against Iran in 1980, which lasted until 1988. The turning point came in 2003, when US-led coalition forces invaded Iraq, resulting in the execution of Saddam Hussein. The consequences of this invasion are still felt today. The once strong country has become a huge arena of hostilities, in which there is neither developed industry nor peace.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

In southwestern Asia, at the northwestern end of the Arabian Peninsula, west of Iraq and south of the Syrian Republic is the Kingdom of Jordan. The map of the country clearly shows that almost all of its territory consists of desert plateaus and various hills and mountains. Jordan borders on Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Israel and the autonomous region of Palestine. The country has access to the Red Sea. The capital of the state is Amman. In addition, one can single out big cities- Ez-Zarqa and Irbid.

From 1953 to 1999, until his death, the country was ruled by King Hussein. Today, the kingdom is led by his son, Abdullah II, who is a representative of the Hashemite dynasty and, as is commonly believed, in the 43rd generation, one of the direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad. As a rule, the ruler in Arab countries has unlimited influence, however, in Jordan, the power of the monarch is regulated by the Constitution and Parliament.

Today it is the most peaceful territory of the Arab East in all respects. The main income of this country comes from tourism, as well as the help of other, richer Arab states.

Palestine

This autonomous region of the eastern Mediterranean consists of two non-adjacent regions: the Gaza Strip, bordering Israel and Egypt, and which only touches Jordan on the east, and is surrounded by Israeli territory on all other sides. In natural terms, Palestine is divided into several areas: the fertile lowlands, located along the Mediterranean coast, and the hilly highlands, located to the east. In the very east of the country, steppes begin, smoothly turning into the Syrian desert.

In 1988, after many Arab-Israeli military conflicts and the refusal of Jordan and Egypt from claims to the Palestinian territories, the National Council of Palestine announced the creation of an independent state. The first president of the autonomy was the legendary Yasser Arafat, after whose death, in 2005, Mahmoud Abbas, who is still in power, was elected to this post. Today, the ruling party in the Gaza Strip is Hamas, which came to power as a result of winning elections in this autonomy. On West Bank The Palestinian National Authority manages all government activities.

Relations between Palestine and Israel are in an extremely tense state and are permanently turning into an armed confrontation. The borders of the Palestinian state are controlled by the Israeli armed forces from almost all sides.