Why is the middle east called the middle east?

Answer 1

According to an article in Foreign Affairs (Davison, 1960) the term Middle East was popularized by an American naval officer named Alfred Thayer Mahan in 1902, but it might have been used by the British during their years of colonialism in the region. China and Japan for example were considered to be the Far East so the region between the Far East and The West then became the Near East or the Middle East. Although at times in history the Near East denoted the Balkans, it now generally means the Middle East plus Turkey and Iran. The terms Middle East and Near East are eurocentric because they describe a region in relation to Europe or The West. Despite this, the term is now accepted and even people in the Middle East call it that (Al-Sharq Al-Awasat means Middle East in Arabic). The issue of why the Middle East is called the Middle East is an interesting example of how simple geographic names are emeshed in geopolitics and can shift in meaning over time.

For a more detailed history read: Roderic H. Davison, "Where is the Middle East?" Foreign Affairs, Vol. 38, p. 665 -675. July 1960

Answer 2

According to an article in Foreign Affairs (Davison, 1960) the term Middle East was popularized by an American naval officer named Alfred Thayer Mahan in 1902, but it might have been used by the British during their years of colonialism in the region. China and Japan for example were considered to be the Far East so the region between the Far East and The West then became the Near East or the Middle East. Although at times in the history the Near East denoted the Balkans, it now generally means the Middle East plus Turkey and Iran. The terms Middle East and Near East are eurocentric because they describe a region in relation to Europe or The West. Despite this, the term is now accepted and even people in the Middle East call it that (Al-Sharq Al-Awasatmeans Middle East in Arabic). The issue of why the Middle East is called the Middle East is an interesting example how simple geographic names are emeshed in geopolitics and can shift in meaning over time.

For a more detailed history read: Roderic H. Davison, "Where is the Middle East?" Foreign Affairs, Vol. 38, p. 665 -675. July 1960

Answer 3

Answer 1

They are called the middle east cause the Arab countries are located in the middle of the east side.

Answer 2

The logic underlying the question is a little nonsensical. Regions of the earth are not named for the dominant race or ethnicity of the region. The "White Countries" are called "Europe", the "Black Countries" are called "Africa", and the "Hispanic Countries" are called "Latin America". In addition, the Middle East was populated by other ethnicities long before the Arabs became the dominant ethnicity.

As to the reason that the Middle East earned its name, that came from European traders and merchants who considered the Middle East to be midway in their journey eastward to acquire spices from what was termed the "Orient" or "Far East".