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'''Southwest Asia''' or '''Southwestern Asia''' (largely overlapping with the [[Middle East]]) is the southwestern [[subregion|portion]] of [[Asia]]. The term '''Western Asia''' is sometimes used in writings about the archeology and the late prehistory of the region, and in the [[United Nations]] [[subregion]] geoscheme. Unlike the Middle East, which is a vaguely-defined region generally meant to include the [[North Africa]]n country of [[Egypt]], Western Asia is a purely [[physical geography|geographical]] term, which includes the southwestern extreme of [[Asia]].
'''Southwest Asia''' or '''Southwestern Asia''' (largely overlapping with the [[Middle East]]) is the southwestern [[subregion|portion]] of [[Asia]]. The term '''Western Asia''' is sometimes used in writings about the archeology and the late prehistory of the region, and in the [[United Nations]] [[subregion]] geoscheme. Unlike the Middle East, which is a vaguely-defined region generally meant to include the [[North Africa]]n country of [[Egypt]], Western Asia is a purely [[physical geography|geographical]] term, which includes the southwestern extreme of [[Asia]].


Southwest Asia is partly coterminous with the traditional European names the ''Middle East'' and the ''[[Near East]]'', both of which describe the regions' geographical position in relation to Europe rather than their location within Asia. The term ''Western Asia'' has become the preferred term of use for the Middle East by [[international organization]]s (most notably the [[United Nations]]) and also in countries to the east of the region, such as [[India]] and [[Australia]], because of the perceived [[Eurocentrism]] of the historical term ''Middle East''. In terms of [[cultural geography|cultural]] and [[political geography]], the Middle East sometimes includes [[North Africa]]n countries, particularly Egypt.
Southwest Asia is partly coterminous with the traditional European names the ''Middle East'' and the ''[[Near East]]'', both of which describe the regions' geographical position in relation to Europe rather than their location within Asia. The term ''Western Asia'' has become the preferred term of use for the [[Middle East]] by [[international organization]]s (most notably the [[United Nations]]) and also in countries to the east of the region, such as [[India]] and [[Australia]], because of the perceived [[Eurocentrism]] of the historical term ''Middle East''. In terms of [[cultural geography|cultural]] and [[political geography]], the Middle East sometimes includes [[North Africa]]n countries, particularly Egypt.
[[Image:United Nations geographical subregions.png|thumb|570px|right|The definition of cultural-geographical regions in use by the [[United Nations]].]]
[[Image:United Nations geographical subregions.png|thumb|570px|right|The definition of cultural-geographical regions in use by the [[United Nations]].]]


The United Nations includes [[Turkey]] and [[Armenia]]. However, these countries also lie in regions that straddle both Asia and [[Europe]], and have sociopolitical ties to the latter. Turkey is located in Europe and in Asia.
The United Nations includes [[Turkey]] and [[Armenia]]. However, these countries also lie in regions that straddle both Asia and [[Europe]], and have sociopolitical ties to the latter. Turkey is located in [[Europe]] and in [[Asia]].
The Asian part of the [[Arab world]] (including [[Arabia]] proper) is called the ''[[Mashreq]]'' in Arabic.
The Asian part of the [[Arab world]] (including [[Arabia]] proper) is called the ''[[Mashreq]]'' in Arabic.


Revision as of 01:20, 21 April 2008

File:Western asia.png
  Southwest Asia in most contexts.

Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia (largely overlapping with the Middle East) is the southwestern portion of Asia. The term Western Asia is sometimes used in writings about the archeology and the late prehistory of the region, and in the United Nations subregion geoscheme. Unlike the Middle East, which is a vaguely-defined region generally meant to include the North African country of Egypt, Western Asia is a purely geographical term, which includes the southwestern extreme of Asia.

Southwest Asia is partly coterminous with the traditional European names the Middle East and the Near East, both of which describe the regions' geographical position in relation to Europe rather than their location within Asia. The term Western Asia has become the preferred term of use for the Middle East by international organizations (most notably the United Nations) and also in countries to the east of the region, such as India and Australia, because of the perceived Eurocentrism of the historical term Middle East. In terms of cultural and political geography, the Middle East sometimes includes North African countries, particularly Egypt.

The definition of cultural-geographical regions in use by the United Nations.

The United Nations includes Turkey and Armenia. However, these countries also lie in regions that straddle both Asia and Europe, and have sociopolitical ties to the latter. Turkey is located in Europe and in Asia. The Asian part of the Arab world (including Arabia proper) is called the Mashreq in Arabic.

See continent and transcontinental country for further definitions

Territories

Main article: List of Middle Eastern countries

Some of the countries classified as southwest Asian are sometimes classified differently. Afghanistan, for example, is sometimes considered a Central Asian country, and sometimes as a South Asian country. Cyprus meanwhile politically aligns itself with Europe, and is generally considered a part of Southeastern Europe despite its geographic location. Southwest Asia is in most contexts meant to encompass:

Use in ethnicity statistics

The Canadian government uses "West Asian" in its statistics; however people from the Arab countries are counted in a separate "Arab" category. [3] [4]

Other subregions of Asia

References

  1. ^ Ethnic Groups in Canada - MSN Encarta
  2. ^ Asia - MSN Encarta
  3. ^ http://www.statcan.ca/english/research/89-621-XIE/89-621-XIE2007003.pdf
  4. ^ http://www.google.com/search?q=west+asian+site%3Astatcan.ca
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