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Middle East and North Africa: Home

 

Welcome to the Middle East and North Africa Library Guide

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for exploring the rich and diverse cultures and histories of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. MENA encompasses over 20 countries, but definitions of which countries belong to the region vary. Some criteria for a country’s inclusion in MENA differ depending on context, so this guide attempts to include all countries.

MENA is home to a variety of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures that have shaped global history and continue to influence world events today.

In this guide, you’ll find resources on:

  • Geography and Politics: Understanding the geopolitical significance of MENA and how colonialism, modern borders, and ongoing conflicts shape the region.
  • Cultural Diversity: From Arabs, Berbers (Amazigh), and Kurds to Turks, Persians, and other indigenous peoples, the MENA region is a mosaic of cultures and identities.
  • Religions: Islam is the predominant religion in the region, but MENA has historically been home to a variety of religious communities, including Christians, Jews, Druze, and more. 
  • History: From ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Pharaonic Egypt to the Islamic Golden Age and modern-day political movements, MENA has long been at the crossroads of human civilization.
  • Languages: Learn more about linguistics within the region, primarily about the Arabic language.
  • Books: Find books that are set in the region or are written by MENA authors, some of which have been translated from their original language.

Whether you’re researching for a class project or seeking a deeper understanding of the region’s complexity, this guide provides reliable academic resources, including books, articles, databases, and media, to help you navigate the multifaceted realities of MENA.

When discussing the Middle East and North Africa, it's important to recognize and understand the differences between the terms that are used to describe those from the region. These labels may often be misused or misunderstood.
  1. Arab
    • Ethnic and linguistic group
    • Not all Arabs are Muslim
    • Not all individuals from the MENA region are or identify as Arab.
  2. Muslim
    • Religious Identity
    • Global population
  3. Middle Eastern
    • Geopolitical Term
    • Not an ethnicity
  4. Persian
    • Ethnic identity
  5. Berber/Amazigh
    • Indigenous people of North Africa

Depending on who you ask, some countries may be included/excluded from the MENA region. Here is a list of all of the countries that can be considered MENA, some fulfilling more criteria than others:

  • Afghanistan
  • Algeria
  • Armenia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Cyprus
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Georgia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Malta
  • Mauritania
  • Morocco
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Qatar
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tunisia
  • Turkiye
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Western Sahara
  • Yemen

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