WEST ASIA: POLITICAL

 West Asian region includes turkey, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula comprising Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Yemen and UAE.

Situation:

For European people it lies in the middle of the eastern part, so it is also referred as “The middle East”.

TURKEY (ASIA MINOR) –‘SICK MAN OF EUROPE’

Area: 7, 79, 450 sq. km. (third largest country of West Asia)

Latitude: 35˚ 50’ - 42˚ 5’N

Population: 65. 9 million (Most populous country of West Asia)

Longitude: 25˚ 40’ -44˚ -50’E

Capital: Ankara

Situation:

Turkey links Europe and Asia lies between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and partly lies in Europe but it is an Asian Country.

ANKARA

·         Lies to south of the Black Sea at the edge of the Anatolian plateau.

·         Capital city of Turkey.

ISTANBUL

·         Situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by water: the sea of Marmara, the Bosporus, and the Golden Horn.

·         An important tourist centre is the old capital city.

·         One of the world’s most historic and cosmopolitan cities.

SYRIA

Area: 1, 85,180 sq. km

Population: 15. 7 million

Capital: Damascus

Situation: Syria is situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea and to the south of Turkey.

DAMASCUS

·         Situated at desert fringe, is one of the world’s oldest cities.

·         The capital is also noted for its handicraft works and is a centre of light industry.

BANIYAS

·         An important port on the Mediterranean coast is known for its oil refineries.

LATAKIA

·         The chief port of Syria on the Mediterranean coast.