Near East
Near East
Near East (pronunciation: /nɪər iːst/) is a geographical term that traditionally refers to the region comprising the countries of Southwest Asia and, at times, parts of North Africa. The term originated in the 19th century and is often used interchangeably with the term Middle East, although they have slightly different connotations.
Etymology
The term "Near East" was coined in the 19th century, during the period of the British Empire. It was used to refer to the region closer to Europe, as opposed to the Far East, which referred to the countries of East Asia. The term "Middle East" came into wider usage in the 20th century, and is often used to refer to the same region, although it can also include parts of North Africa.
Related Terms
- Middle East: A region that encompasses Western Asia, Turkey (both Asian and European), and Egypt (which is mostly in North Africa). The term has come into wider usage than Near East since the beginning of the 20th century.
- Far East: A term that traditionally refers to East Asia, including China, Japan, and Korea, but sometimes also includes Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- Orient: A term that traditionally refers to the East, in contrast to the Occident, or the West. It is often used to refer to the entire region stretching from the Near East to the Far East.
- Levant: A term that refers to a specific region within the Near East, encompassing the eastern Mediterranean countries of Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and parts of southern Turkey.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Near East
- Wikipedia's article - Near East
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