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There are many interpretations of the term 'the Middle East.' One of the most common includes the Arabian Peninsula, the Near East, the Iranian plateau, and occasionally North Africa. To view more information on the region of Asia and/or Africa, visit the Middle East article. Different Middle Eastern cultures are spread out through this whole region. The religion is Islam, including Shia and Sunni, while significant Christian communities are found in Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt and Jews. Most of the people are Semites, various indo-European Iranian peoples, and Turks. The main languages spoken include Arabic, Persian, Kurdish, Hebrew, and various Turkish dialects. Here are the regions of the Middle East:
Often considered Middle Eastern
- Near East, or Levant
- Bilad al-Sham (Historical)
- Greater Syria (Historical)
- Arabia or Arabian Peninsula
- Persian Gulf States
Sometimes considered Middle Eastern
- North Africa
- Caucasus
- Anatolia
- Mediterranean Sea
- The Maghreb
- Central Asia
- Iranian plateau
- Sudan
- Somalia
- Eritrea
