Western Asia

Western Asia, West Asia, Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia are terms that describe the westernmost portion of Asia. The terms are partly coterminous with the Middle East, which, however, also includes all of part of North Africa and describes a geographical position in relation to Western Europe rather than its location within the continent. Due to this perceived Eurocentrism, international organizations such as the United Nations, have replaced such terms as the Middle East and Near East with Western Asia. This region and Europe are collectively referred to as Western Eurasia.

Culturally this region is mostly dominated by the religion of Islam (exceptions including Israel and Armenia). The Arabian Peninsula, in fact, is the religion's place of origin. There are three main indigenous groups in Western Asia: the Semitic peoples (mostly Arabs, as well as Jews and some other groups), the Turkish peoples, and the Iranian peoples. Additionally some other groups such as the Kurds, Armenians, and the Georgians inhabit the region as well.

Historically, this region is generally recognized as having been home to the Agricultural Revolution, the first rise of civilization, and the invention of written language. The cultures of this region directly and indirectly seeded the rise of civilizations in Europe, South Asia, and Africa.