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The Middle East and North Africa
Wonders of the World
The Middle East and North Africa encompass some of the most fascinating countries and regions on Earth. Take a step back in time as you learn about some of the world’s oldest inhabited sites and visit breathtaking destinations.Â
Lose yourself in Egypt, the cradle of civilisation, home of the pyramids, and the mighty River Nile.
Delve into Jordan, inhabited since Palaeolithic times. Visit the Ancient City of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Wonder of the Modern World.Â
Explore Israel, home to the Misilya Caves, where archaeologists have found evidence of modern human habitation from around 150,000 years old.Â
History
The Middle East and Northern African Region have staged some of the most significant moments in Human history and civilisation.Â
The earliest humans migrated out of Africa around 1.8 million years ago. Rock carvings found along the Nile River have been dated to 10,000 BCE and thought to have been made by people who were primarily hunter-gatherers and fishermen. Farming cultures became more widespread in the region from around 6000 BCE.Â
The region witnessed the invention of the barter system, the development of the first written language, and the introduction of the potter’s wheel. Â
Ancient to Modern
Ancient civilisations and Empires ruled over the region into the Medieval period, from the Sumerians and Babylonians to the Egyptian Pharaohs, Persians and the Babylonians. The Ottoman Empire ruled across much of the area and beyond from the 10th to the 20th century. Â
In the 18th Century, France invaded Egypt, though the occupation was brief and fiercely contested. The Rosetta Stone, discovered during the occupation, is inscribed with a decree from 196 BCE made by King Ptolemy V of Egypt, and has been pivotal in the understanding of hieroglyphics.Â
Whilst Egypt has been recognised as a country for thousands of years, and Jordan (formerly Petra) for as long, the State of Israel were established in the 1940s.
Religion and Culture
Islam, Christianity and Judaism are widely practised across the region today. In the past, it has also been the centre of other religions, such as Hellenism and Zoroastrianism.
Between the 11th and 13th Centuries, the Crusades marked a series of religious wars across the region. The region continues to face geopolitical pressures and upheavals.Â
Comprising many unique and diverse cultures and traditions, with nearly 30 distinct written and spoken languages, the Middle East is a region of great cultural richness. No single word, no single description, can honestly describe this magical part of the world.Â
You really will have to travel to each of the countries to experience it for yourself!
North Africa & The Middle East
Our Top Trips
These are the tours available through our affiliate, G Adventures, for North Africa and the Middle East.Â
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Blogs & Articles
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Need more inspiration?
Click on the link below to discover the National Geographic Journeys to Jordan .Â
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