Middle East explained to kids

The Middle East is a region located in western Asia and northeastern Africa. The term "Middle East" can be used to refer to different geographical areas, depending on which definition is used. The most common definition of the Middle East includes countries such as Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. The Middle East is home to a number of important religious sites, such as the cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, which are considered holy by Muslims. The region is also the birthplace of Judaism and Christianity, and many important religious figures such as Jesus and Muhammad were born in the Middle East. The Middle East has a long and complex history, and has been the site of many important events in world history. The region has been home to some of the world's oldest civilizations, such as the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Persians. The Middle East was also the site of the world's first major empires, such as the Achaemenid Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The Middle East has played a significant role in the development of the modern world. The region was the site of the first major oil discoveries, which led to the development of the modern petroleum industry. The Middle East was also a key factor in the development of the global economy, as the region was the source of much of the world's supply of oil and natural gas. Today, the Middle East remains an important region of the world, both politically and economically. The region is home to a number of important global political and economic organizations, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. The Middle East is also a major center of the global economy, with a number of important oil and gas-producing countries.