Arabic Speaking Countries and Interesting Facts
Arabic Speaking Countries and Interesting Facts

Arabic speaking countries, capitals, population, geography and famous places.

Arabic is a deep-rooted language spoken by approximately 300 million people worldwide and known as the language of the Quran, the holy book of Islam. Arabic belongs to the Semitic language family and has had a great impact on a wide geography in cultural, religious and scientific fields throughout history. The official language of 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, Arabic is also one of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations.

Arabic has two basic forms: classical and modern. While Classical Arabic is the language used in the Quran and ancient Islamic texts, Modern Standard Arabic is the standardized form used in official correspondence, media and literature today. In addition, there are many different local dialects used in daily life in the Arab world.

The Arabic alphabet has a 28-letter alphabet written from right to left, and Arabic script, an aesthetically rich writing system, has been used in various branches of art for centuries. Arabic is also an extremely rich language in terms of vocabulary; this wealth has provided great expressive power in the fields of literature and poetry.

More than just a means of communication, Arabic represents a profound cultural and historical heritage. This broad scope of the language has had a profound impact on the various cultural, social and religious structures of the Arab world. Today, Arabic remains an actively developing language that continues to influence the world.

1. Algeria

  • Capital: Algeria
  • Population: Approximately 44 million
  • Geography: Located in North Africa, on the Mediterranean coast. The Atlas Mountains and part of the Sahara Desert are in this country.
  • Famous Places: The Casbah of Algiers, Tipaza, Sahara Desert.
  • Fact: Algeria, the largest country in Africa and the Arab world in terms of surface area, is also the 10th largest country in the world.

2. Bahrain

  • Capital: Manama
  • Population: Approximately 1.7 million
  • Geography: Located in the Persian Gulf, to the west of the United Arab Emirates and to the east of Saudi Arabia. It is a small island country.
  • Famous Places: Bahrain Fort, Al-Fateh Mosque, Bahrain World Trade Center.
  • Fact: Bahrain consists of a group of islands located in the Persian Gulf. The country's main island is Bahrain Island, but it consists of a total of 33 islands, including smaller islands.

3. Comoros

  • Capital: Moroni
  • Population: Approximately 850,000
  • Geography: It is an island country located in the Indian Ocean, northwest of Madagascar. It consists of islands of volcanic origin.
  • Famous Places: Karthala Volcano, Mohéli Marine Park, Mitsamiouli Beach.
  • Fact: Comoros reflects a blend of African, Arab and French cultures. This cultural diversity is reflected in the country's food, music and traditions.

4. Djibouti

  • Capital: Djibouti
  • Population: Approximately 1 million
  • Geography: Located in East Africa, on the coast of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. There are volcanic highlands and salt lakes.
  • Famous Places: Lac Assal (Lake Assal), Day Forest, Gulf of Tadjoura.
  • Fact: Djibouti hosts military bases of many countries. France, the US, China and other countries have military bases here due to the country's strategic location.

5. Egypt

  • Capital: Cairo
  • Population: Approximately 104 million
  • Geography: Located in North Africa, on the coast of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. The Nile River and the Delta region are the most important geographical elements of the country.
  • Famous Places: Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Karnak Temple, Nile River.
  • Fact: The Giza Pyramids, one of the seven wonders of the world, were built approximately 4,500 years ago. These pyramids were used as tombs for the pharaohs, and it is still not fully understood how they were built.

6. Iraq

  • Capital: Baghdad
  • Population: Approximately 40 million
  • Geography: Located in the Middle East, in the fertile Mesopotamian region between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
  • Famous Places: Ruins of Babylon, Baghdad, the ancient city of Ur.
  • Fact: Iraq is known as the cradle of Mesopotamia and this region has hosted great civilizations throughout history. The Babylonian, Assyrian and Sumerian civilizations emerged here.

7. Jordan

  • Capital: Amman
  • Population: Approximately 10 million
  • Geography: A landlocked country in the Middle East. The eastern part is desert and the western part consists of valleys suitable for agriculture.
  • Famous Places: Petra, Dead Sea, Wadi Rum.
  • Fact: Petra, an ancient city carved into the rocks, is Jordan's most famous tourist attraction. Petra is also known as the "hidden city" and was chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

8. Kuwait

  • Capital: Kuwait City
  • Population: Approximately 4.5 million
  • Geography: Located on the Persian Gulf coast, between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Desert climate prevails.
  • Famous Places: Kuwait Towers, Grand Mosque, Al Hamra Tower.
  • Fact: Kuwait has one of the largest oil reserves in the world, making oil the cornerstone of its economy.

9. Lebanon

  • Capital: Beirut
  • Population: Approximately 6 million
  • Geography: Located in a mountainous region on the eastern Mediterranean coast. It includes the Lebanon Mountains, coastal plains and valleys.
  • Famous Places: Baalbek, Byblos, Beirut City Center.
  • Fact: Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, is known as the Paris of the Middle East. The city is a dynamic cultural center where old and modern architecture coexist.

10. Libya

  • Capital: Tripoli
  • Population: Approximately 7 million
  • Geography: Located in North Africa, on the Mediterranean coast. Most of the country is covered by the Sahara Desert.
  • Famous Places: Leptis Magna, Sabratha, Medina of Tripoli.
  • Fact: Ancient Roman cities are located on the northern coast of Libya and are famous for their Roman ruins. Sabratha has one of the best-preserved ruins of the Roman period and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

11. Mauritania

  • Capital: Nouakchott
  • Population: Approximately 4.5 million
  • Coğrafya: Located in West Africa, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Most of the country consists of the Sahara Desert.
  • Famous Places: Chinguetti, Banc d’Arguin National Park, Ouadane.
  • Fact: Mauritania is home to one of the oldest libraries in the Arab world, the Chinguetti Library, founded in the 12th century.

12. Morocco

  • Capital: Rabat
  • Population: Approximately 37 million
  • Geography: Located in Northwest Africa, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert are important geographical elements.
  • Famous Places: Medina of Marrakesh, Fes el Bali, Atlas Mountains.
  • Fact: The square in Marrakesh has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. It is filled with snake charmers, fortune tellers, storytellers and acrobats throughout the day.

13. Oman

  • Capital: Muscat
  • Population: Approximately 5.3 million
  • Geography: Located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Consists of desert, mountainous areas, and coastal plains.
  • Famous Places: Sultan Qaboos Mosque, Nizwa Fort, Wahiba Sands.
  • Fact: The Bahla Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most notable examples, showcasing traditional Omani military architecture.

14. Palestine

  • Capital: East Jerusalem (Partially Recognized)
  • Population: Approximately 5 million
  • Geography: Located in the Middle East, in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, surrounded by Israel.
  • Famous Places: Al-Aqsa Mosque, Gaza Strip, West Bank.
  • Fact: The lands of Palestine are extremely important for Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Jerusalem is considered a holy city for all three religions. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall in Jerusalem are important religious centers of these religions.

15. Qatar

  • Capital: Doha
  • Population: Approximately 3 million
  • Geography: It is a peninsula located in the Persian Gulf. Desert climate prevails.
  • Famous Places: Doha Corniche, Souq Waqif, Museum of Islamic Arts.
  • Fact: Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of national income per capita. This wealth comes largely from natural gas and oil reserves.

16. Saudi Arabia

  • Capital: Riyadh
  • Population: Approximately 35 million
  • Geography: Located in the Middle East, on the Arabian Peninsula. Most of it is covered by deserts, the Rub' al Khali Desert being one of the largest.
  • Famous Places: Mecca, Medina, King Abdullah Financial District.
  • Fact: Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam. The cities of Mecca and Medina, located within the kingdom, are the two holiest cities in Islam. 

17. Somalia

  • Capital: Mogadishu
  • Population: Approximately 17 million
  • Geography: Located in East Africa, in the region known as the Horn of Africa. Most of the country consists of semiarid and arid areas.
  • Famous Places: Laas Geel, Mogadishu Beaches, Zeila.
  • Fact: Somali society is traditionally organized into clans and sub-clans, which play a significant role in social and political life.

18. Sudan

  • Capital: Khartoum
  • Population: Approximately 48 million
  • Geography: Located in northeastern Africa, on the Red Sea coast. The Nile River is one of the country's most important geographical elements.
  • Famous Places: Meroe Pyramids, Sudan National Museum, Nile River.
  • Fact: Sudan boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the ancient city of Meroë, which was the center of the Kingdom of Kush.

19. Syria

  • Capital: Damascus
  • Population: Approximately 18 million (pre-war)
  • Geography: Located in the Middle East, on the Mediterranean coast. Characterized by coastlines, mountains, and deserts.
  • Famous Places: Palmira, Umayyad Mosque, Aleppo Castle.
  • Fact: Located in central Syria, the ancient city of Palmyra is home to impressive Roman ruins. Palmyra was an important point on ancient caravan routes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

20. Tunisia

  • Capital: Tunis
  • Population: Approximately 12 million
  • Geography: Located in North Africa, on the Mediterranean coast. Contains coastal plains, mountainous regions, and areas extending into the Sahara Desert.
  • Famous Places: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, El Djem Amphitheatre.
  • Fact: Ancient Carthage, located north of the city of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, is known as the former Phoenician colony and was a great power during the Roman period. The ruins of Carthage are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

21. United Arab Emirates (UAE)

  • Capital: Abu Dhabi
  • Population: Approximately 10 million
  • Geography: Located in the Middle East, on the Persian Gulf coast. Desert climate prevails.
  • Famous Places: Burj Khalifa (Dubai), Sheikh Zayed Mosque (Abu Dhabi), Palm Islands.
  • Fact: Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building with a height of 828 meters.

22. Yemen

  • Capital: Sanaa
  • Population: Approximately 31 million
  • Geography: Located on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Mountainous and desert terrains are common.
  • Famous Places: Old Sanaa City, Socotra Island, Shibam Hadramawt.
  • Fact: Socotra Island, part of Yemen, is one of the most isolated islands in the world, and 37% of the plant species found here are unique to this island.

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