*This article may have affiliate links, which means we may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through links we provide (at no extra cost to you). For more details, please read our privacy policy/affiliate disclosure. Thank you for supporting the work we put into this blog!
The Middle East is well known in the western world as the core of religion for its extensively rich history and food.A lot of Arabs or those who live in this part of the world often forget. Overlook and marginalize the reality that this region does not lack novelty and surprise at all.Here is a list of 16 interesting things you probably didn’t know about the Middle East for emphasizing the ever-standing attributes of this region.
1- Real History
Syrians and Romans were aware of the future perspective, well before Leif Erikson set foot on North America or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.In the 2nd century AD, a surviving fantasy book was written in Roman Syria that featured the stories of some explorers flying to the moon. The discovery of a new continent over the ocean. First experience with the aliens, and the interplanetary war among imperialistic celestial domains.Whether from the discovery of cancer’s first documented cases on papyrus manuscripts that dated back to the era of 3000 BC, 2004–2005 unearthing of world’s ancient perfume factory in Cyprus that was as old as 4000 years to the 2009 finding of the first zoo looking environment.Dating back to 3500BC in which elephants, wildcats, baboons, and various other animals were buried in Egypt’s ancient city, Hierakonpolis- the Middle East is surely rich and extensive in its true history.
2- Kuwait Olympics
Due to the government legislation, which allows the state to interfere in the sporting organization’s election, the state of Kuwait was outlawed from the Olympics.Thus, the Kuwaiti athletes take part in the Olympics as independent athletes under the flag of the Olympics, not under their own country’s flag.
3- Giant Mushrooms
American scientists found a 20-foot tall fungus in Saudi Arabia in 2007. These big mushrooms existed and dominated this country 350 million years ago until they got extinct. It was most likely the biggest living thing that existed on dry land at that time.
4- Coffee and Mocha
Kaldi, an Ethiopian shepherd, was the first one who found the impact of coffee when he observed that after consuming a specific berry. His herd of sheep became considerably more energetic.From there it was shifted to the country of Yemen, where many Sufi Muslims, started using it for enhancing their concentration during praying.Another delicious drink called Mocha is a mixture of coffee and chocolate. Its name was originally derived from a port located at the Red Sea in Yemen. Till the year 1990, this port was the main port for exporting Arabian coffee throughout the world.
5- Burj Khalifa
Dubai was nothing but a sleepy pearling city until the discovery of oil in 1996. In 1970, the illiteracy rates were over 70 percent in the UAE. Also, it didn’t have a phone or electricity lines till 1961.Today, Dubai is the busiest airport in the world.The Burj Khalifa, named after the President of the UAE, Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – is the tallest human-made building of the world. Located in Dubai that makes a fascinating tourist spot for travellers from all over the world.Another interesting thing about the UAE is that there occurs a portion of Oman in UAE, and in that portion of Oman is a portion of UAE.
6- Assassin’s Creed
The renowned Assassin’s Creed game series revolves around a battle among the ‘Assassins’ who are fighting for freedom and peace, and the ‘Templars’ who believe that peace will rule only if humankind is controlled.Based on the original order of assassins that existed in Syria and Persia between the 11th-13th century. Also known as ‘Hashishiyyin.’
7- FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar
TheFIFA World Cup for the year 2022 has been scheduled in Qatar. For this, in the northern division of Ash-Shamal, which has a population comprising less than eight thousand people, one of the stadiums is being constructed that can accommodate 45330 people.Another interesting thing about Qatar is camel racing, which has exclusively utilized robot jockeys since the time child jockeys have been banned.
8- Drying up of Springs
The springs located in Saudi Arabia are quickly drying up due to the country’s three decades of irrational farming methods.If this continues, the country might become bound to import its entire food items in the future.Another interesting thing about this country is that it does not have any rivers.
9- The Treaty of Friendship
Morocco had been the first country that recognized the newly established USA in 1777. The American merchant ships faced pirate attacks, by the Barbary Coast, at the starting of the American Revolution.After failed attempts of getting protection from the European powers, it was Morocco’s Sultan Mohammed III who extended protection to American ships by the sultanate, consequently ensuring a safe passage for them.The relations were made formal through the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship in 1786, signed by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. This Treaty of Friendship has been maintained to be the longest-standing international relations treaty in American history until today.
10- Sheep Committing Suicide
Sheep attempt mass suicide. Its largest noted occurrence was in Turkey, in 2005 in which 1500 sheep followed one another over the tip of the cliff. It resulted in the death of 450 sheep and nearly 100,000 dollar losses to the owner’s families.
11- The suing of NASA
CNN informed in 1997 that 3 Yemenis attempted to sue NASA when the space agency invaded Mars by sending out the Sojourner rover and the Pathfinder spacecraft for exploring the red planet.They claimed that they had inherited this planet 3000 years ago from their ancestors before the occurrence of this incident.They also had documents for proving it. However, all their claims of owning Mars were later discarded.
12- Most alien-looking place on Earth
The Socotra Island or The Socotra Island of strange plants is a dry, hot island situated in the Indian Ocean.It is a part of Yemen and creates an archipelago comprising of four islands in the Arabian Sea.This island is quite isolated, still inhabited by a population of 44000 people.Because of its small population, it consists of 700 rare plants and animal species. 1/3 of the island’s flora and fauna in total, doesn’t exist anywhere else on this planet. It has been reported as the most alien-looking place on Earth.
13- Banning of Alcohol
Alcohol is forbidden in Iran. You cannot find a drop of alcohol in this country. However, beer can appear on the menu of restaurants, but it is non-alcoholic. Although it may taste similar to the real stuff, and there occur many flavours for trying.The variety of sharbat has taken over the ban on alcohol in Iran. The list of Persian sharbat is extensive in this country, and some of the famous ones are Tokhm-e-Reyhan, Bahar Narenj, Sekanjabin, and Khak-e-Shir.
14- Sand and Camels Import
We all know that Saudi Arabia is renowned for its camel riding and large desserts, but the country imports sand and camels from Australia.The sand present in the country is not suitable for construction, and Australian camels are healthier and much more delicious.
15- Abandoned Cars
In Dubai, Bankruptcy cannot be filed. People, in turn, leave their expensive cars in the parking lot of the airport while fleeing. Almost 2000–3000 cars, which include Porsche, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Land Rover. Are abandoned every year for gathering dust in the heat of the desert.
16- Vegetables
With the launch of a new farming system that requires no soil and that also recycles irrigation water, Qatar, which is a desert state, has made a goal for growing up to 70 percent of its vegetables by the year 2023.The pilot project has turned out to be successful and adapted reasonably well to the country’s harsh growing state.
Last but not least
These are just a few interesting things about the Middle East. Overall, this region of the world is rich in history and features some amazing facts which are worth considering for their importance.
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
You have Successfully Subscribed!
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.