Middle East Countries, List, Map, Capitals and Importance

The List of Middle East Countries includes the region around Western Asia as well as Northern Africa. This region has been the hub of international affairs over many years. It is known for its ancient civilizations, rich culture, and strategic location. The region is especially important because of its large oil reserves, major trade routes, and religious sites. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the Middle East is important because it affects India’s foreign policy, energy needs, and relationships with other countries. 

Middle East Countries List and their Capitals

The List of Middle East Countries includes about 25 countries including Israel, Iran and Iraq. All Middle East Countries have capital cities which act as an important centre of government. Some of these countries and their capitals are Tehran in Iran, Baghdad in Iraq, Jerusalem in Israel. Following below is the list of Middle East Countries along with their capitals: 

Middle East Countries Geopolitical and Economic Importance

The Middle East Countries play an important economic and geopolitical role in international affairs across the globe. The Middle East Countries are important because: 

• Location is Strategic: The Middle East regions cover major sea choke points including Suez Canal, Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb.
• Energy Sources: 48% of the oil reserves of the world are held by the Middle East Nations, providing them a central role in energy security. 
• Religious Importance: Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem and Bethlehem are some of the important places in the Middle East Countries. 

‹ ›

Middle East Countries Map

The Middle East Countries Map includes: 

• Eastern Mediterranean coastlines (Syria, Israel, Lebanon)
• Arabian Peninsula (Oman, UAE, Yemen, Saudi Arabia)
• Gulf States (Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait)
• The Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Strait of Hormuz are vital for international trade routes and the supply of energy.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor 

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEE EC) is an ambitious initiative aimed at creating a seamless and secure transportation network that connects India with the Middle East and Europe. The corridor holds significant geopolitical and economic value, especially in strengthening India’s strategic positioning and integrating it more deeply into global value chains.

Key Components of the IMEE EC:

• Railway Infrastructure: Establishing a modern rail network to link India and the Arabian Gulf with Europe, reducing both shipping costs and transit time.
• Digital Connectivity: Laying high-speed internet cables to improve digital infrastructure and communication across the corridor.
• Energy Infrastructure: Developing clean energy channels, such as green hydrogen pipelines, to support a sustainable energy exchange.
• Sustainability Measures: Prioritising renewable energy usage and eco-friendly logistics to reduce carbon emissions and promote green trade practices.

Benefits of the IMEE EC 

The benefits of India- Middle East Economic Corridor includes: 

• Better Global Supply Chain: The corridor will help link India, Middle East and Europe through rail and sea links, enabling better movement of products. This will also bring down the dependency on ocean routes, for both energy and basic goods. 
• Strategic Position: India having a central location, gets the benefit of connecting with Europe and West Asia, decreasing its dependency on China-predominant routes like the Belt and Road Initiative. 
• Economic Growth: The convenience in movement will lead to more job opportunities in industries like infrastructure, energy, logistics and digital connectivity. 
• Food Security: For developing nations, especially in Africa and Asia, the corridor offers a reliable and efficient logistics framework for transporting agricultural produce and essential goods—thereby strengthening food security and supply chain resilience.

Green Energy and Sustainability: The inclusion of clean hydrogen pipelines reflects a strong commitment to green energy. This focus on sustainability aligns with global climate action efforts, promoting environmentally responsible infrastructure and reducing carbon emissions across the corridor.