Middle East
The Middle East is home to some of the world’s earliest civilizations. The ancient archaeological sites at Babylon, Ur, and Nineveh can be seen in Iraq, while the Persian ruins of Persepolis in Iran and the Roman Amphitheatre in Jordan are other relics of the past. Jerusalem in Israel is considered holy by Jews, Christians and Muslims, while Mecca and Medina are Islamic pilgrimage destinations. Syria is renowned for its magnificent Ummayyad Mosque, Crusader Castle and the archaeological site of Qala'at Samaan. The Middle East also has some lovely beaches such as Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach, Jordan’s Aqaba and the Batinah Coast in Oman. Tourists looking for thrills must check out the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Middle East is a cultural and historical grouping of nations as well as a geographical one. The Middle East is the birthplace and spiritual center of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Zoroastrianism as well as the site of many conflicts, including ongoing clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in Israel, and Shias and Sunnis in Iraq. The ongoing Iraq war and prevalent Islamic fundamentalism have had a negative impact on tourism in the Middle East.