|
|
Middle East Hotels
The Middle East is a world region in south-western Asia
that is skirted by South-Eastern Europe and North Africa. The term
was created by US military strategists in the 1920-1930s, and definitions
of the Middle East vary; it is not simply a geographical term, but
also a political one.
As one of the wellsprings of human civilisation in the ancient
and medieval worlds, the birthplace of several world religions (Judaism,
Christianity, Islam and Bahai) and an area of much modern economic
and political importance, the Middle East remains a popular destination
for travellers.
Arabic is the primary language of the region, and the main language
in all Middle Eastern countries except Iran (where Persian predominates),
Turkey (Turkish) and Israel (Hebrew). Even in those countries, Arabic
is the first language for some people and fairly common as a second
language.
Ethnically, the region is extremely mixed. Arabs, Persians and
Turks are the largest groups, but there are several substantial
minorities — Kurds, Armenians and others — with their
own languages, customs and sometimes their own countries. Every
invading army — from Alexander and the Romans through Genghis
Khan to the 19th century colonial powers — has left descendants
behind. There are also substantial numbers of workers from other
countries coming to the region for higher pay — mainly Afghan,
Pakistani for jobs like construction labourer, with Egyptians, Philipinos,
more Pakistanis, and some westerners in the more skilled jobs.
A great majority of people throughout the region are Muslim —
with Iran mainly Shia, other areas mainly Sunni, and both with minorities
of the other — and the legal systems in most of these countries
are influenced by Islamic Law; a few are entirely based on it.
|
Over 960 hotels in Thailand
