Iran
Iran, the second
largest country in the Middle East, has 5,000 years of fascinating
history.Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic
in 1979 after the ruling shah was forced into political exile.
Thrust into the worldwide spotlight in 1979, when Iranian students
seized the US Embassy in Tehran, it also struggled through a bloody
and disastrous (no win) eight-year-war with Iraq in the 1980s.
Literally surrounded by the most tumultuous area on the planet, the
rigidity of its own long-standing political and social policies have
come under attack in recent years, and there's now a powerful and
growing internal pressure for reform. The country is rich in natural
gas and petroleum resources, and when that economic power is
combined with its outwardly-friendly and hard working people, a
troubled past certainly points to a bright future.
And as for tourism, international travelers rave about Iran's
natural beauty, as well as its ancient ruins, mosques and
first-class museums.Read more about
Iran here.
United Arab Emirates
Formerly known as the Trucial States, the United Arab Emirates are a
federation of seven individual states, all ruled by emirs. Founded
between the 7th and 8th centuries, the Trucial States granted the
United Kingdom control of their defense and foreign affairs in
treaties signed in the 19th.In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby,
'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn -
merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were then joined
in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah.With a significant GDP, based primarily
on oil, the U.A.E. plays an important role in the affairs of the
Middle East. Abu Dhabi, the country's capital, as well as Dubai, are
modern cities famed for their high-rise buildings and stylish
hotels.For additional info on the United Arab Emirates,
click here.
Egypt
In the 5th century BC Herodotus wrote of Egypt that 'nowhere are
there so many marvellous things...nor in the world besides are to be
seen so many things of unspeakable greatness' - and not too much has
changed. The Sphinx, the Nile, ancient Luxor, the pyramids - Egypt's
scope is glorious.It's not just the Pharaonic monuments that have
drawn travellers to this country since long before the birth of
Christ - it's the legacy of the Greeks, Romans and early Christians,
and the profusion of art and architecture accumulated from centuries
of successive Islamic dynasties.
Isarel
The small (densely populated) State of Israel occupies about 75% of
an area long known as Canaan. This historic, volatile spot is
significant for Christians, Muslims and Jews alike, as Jerusalem is
recognized as a holy city by all three religious faiths. The Old
Testament of the Bible (the Jewish Torah), describes how after being
led out of Egypt by Moses into this land of Canaan, Hebrew tribes,
descendants of the 12 sons of Jacob, settled, and later formed the
Northern Kingdom of Israel.
Additional
Canaan/Palestine/Israel history
clickhere.
Turkey
The historic palette of Turkey is traced to Stone Age settlements
constructed in 7500 BC, and here, today, unforgettable names like
Troy and the Trojan War, Homer, Cyrus the Great, Alexander the
Great, the Holy Roman Empire and the Medieval Crusades leap from the
pages of its ancient history, and many relics and ruins of same
still stand for all to view.
Read more about the history of Turkey click here
Jordan
The small Kingdom of Jordan occupies a strategic location in the
Middle East. This arid and ancient land (of biblical fame) has
witnessed centuries of conquests and invading armies.
After World War I ended, the Ottoman Turks were finally driven out,
and the British influence began.
Read more about the history of Turkey
click
here
Saudi Arabia The founder
of modern Saudi Arabia, Abd al-Aziz, captured Riyadh at the turn of
the 20th century, and began his efforts to unify the many factions
on the Arabian Peninsula. It took many decades but he enjoyed a
large measure of success. the shores of the Persian Gulf. It's a
strictly Muslim land and home to both Medina and Mecca, Islam's
holiest cities, and each year an estimated two-million Muslims take
part in the Hajj pilgrimage.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars, or duties, of the Islamic
faith, requiring all able-bodied Muslims to make the journey to
Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed, at least once in
their lifetime.
Read more about the history of Saudi
Arabiaclick
here
Qatar
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence that the Qatar Peninsula,
jutting north into the Persian Gulf from Saudi Arabia, was initially
inhabited during the Middle East Stone Age. As a by-product, jobs
are guaranteed in Qatar, and college education is free. There is no
income tax here; all public services are gratis, and all health care
is provided by the government. Wow! When does the next plane leave?
And speaking of planes, tourism in Qatar (mostly to Doha) has
increased rather dramatically; sparkling new hotels (Las Vegas-like)
stand along the lengthy waterfront, and the traveling-world has
finally learned about Qatar's beautiful beaches, and of course, the
duty-free shopping.
The small Middle East
country of , an independent Arab Emirate, holds 10 percent of the
world's proven oil reserves.Its Arabic names means fort, and in
essence that's exactly how it was formed, as it was once home to a
small desert community until the Al-Sabah family took control, and
literally built the first (fortified) settlement in the mid-1700s.
