Middle East Studies: Getting Started

Founded in 1875, Al-Ahram (الأهرام‎, “The Pyramids”) is one of the longest-running newspapers in the Middle East. It has long been regarded as Egypt’s most authoritative and influential newspaper, and one of the most important newspapers in the Arab world, with a circulation of over 1 million.

Welcome to the LibGuide for MIDDLE EAST STUDIES

This Research Guide includes selected sources which pertain to the history, culture, geography, and politics of the diverse groups of people who reside (or who have historically resided) in the Middle East. 

Resources have been selected which pertain to the primary Middle East Countries, as well as countries from other regions that are frequently grouped with the Middle East countries.  Below is a list of countries linked to the corresponding CIA World Factbook country profile.  For profiles from other sources, click on the Political Surveys tab.

Primary Middle East Countries

Bahrain - Gaza Strip - Iran - Iraq - Israel - Jordan - Kuwait - Lebanon - Oman - Palestine - Qatar - Saudi Arabia - Syria - United Arab Emirates - West Bank - Yemen   

Related Countries (by Region)

• African Countries :  Egypt, Libya
• Eurasian Countries :  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Cyprus
• South Asian Countries :  Afghanistan, Pakistan
• Central Asian Countries :  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan 

Alternate Regional Grouping of Countries:

• Gulf :  Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
• Levant :  Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey
• North Africa :  Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Western Sahara
• Western Asia :  Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Uzbekistan

Source:  CIA Maps Collection, web