Middle East - Why is this forum called ME including Egypt?

Who does not consider Egypt part of ME?

I am aware most of Egypt is in Africa.

I am aware all of say Israel and Lebanon are in Asia, but they are just in the middle east forum (not in the 'Asia not including Israel and Lebanon and .. forum')

Good question. I think that most conventional definitions of "Middle East" include Egypt -- as well as the Arabian peninsula, Levant countries, Israel and Iran. And sometimes Turkey. One the other hand, "MENA," i.e., Middle East and North Africa, is another common term implying that Egypt is not part of the Middle East.

If Egypt is the Middle East, where does one draw the line -- Libya? Tunisia? Algeria? Morocco? What about Sudan? Eritrea? Djibouti? Comoros? I think that it's reasonable to include Egypt as the only African country in the "Middle East."

A better question is why Cyprus is part of this forum. That is firmly in Asia's boundaries, though part of the European Union of course. I have never heard of a definition of the Middle East that includes Cyprus. Then there's the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which, granted is not a real country, but, if one is a stubborn Turk, then I guess one would post questions about travel there in the "Europe including Turkey" forum instead of the Middle East. :p

Off to OMNI we go!

I added Egypt to the forum description to give clarity about where posts go. I then went thru the Africa forum and moved posts about Egypt to this forum. Prior to that, posts were distributed roughly 50:50. I think folks always want to post in the proper forum but even mods weren't clear as to precisely which one that was. Now we all know.

Carol
Community Director

Good question. I think that most conventional definitions of "Middle East" include Egypt -- as well as the Arabian peninsula, Levant countries, Israel and Iran. And sometimes Turkey. One the other hand, "MENA," i.e., Middle East and North Africa, is another common term implying that Egypt is not part of the Middle East.

If Egypt is the Middle East, where does one draw the line -- Libya? Tunisia? Algeria? Morocco? What about Sudan? Eritrea? Djibouti? Comoros? I think that it's reasonable to include Egypt as the only African country in the "Middle East."

A better question is why Cyprus is part of this forum. That is firmly in Asia's boundaries, though part of the European Union of course. I have never heard of a definition of the Middle East that includes Cyprus. Then there's the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which, granted is not a real country, but, if one is a stubborn Turk, then I guess one would post questions about travel there in the "Europe including Turkey" forum instead of the Middle East. :p

Off to OMNI we go!

Totally agree regarding your sentiments about Cyprus. Every significant frequent flyer program has Cyprus (both sides) listed amongst their European destinations.....not Middle East.

I added Egypt to the forum description to give clarity about where posts go. I then went thru the Africa forum and moved posts about Egypt to this forum. Prior to that, posts were distributed roughly 50:50. I think folks always want to post in the proper forum but even mods weren't clear as to precisely which one that was. Now we all know.

Carol
Community Director

I think 50:50 represents the mix of the continental definition of Egypt across other sites.

Almost as frustrating as hunting for the UK on drop-down lists - variously listed as UK, Great Britain, Britain or (showing little sensitivity) England.

Is Egypt solely in Africa? Assuming the Suez Canal is the diving line between Africa and Asia, that would make a part of Egypt, (the Sinai) in Asia.

I suppose diving lines can be confusing, Cyprus is a good example that has already been mentioned. What about the Caucaus (Armenia, Azerbijan, Georgia and some parts of Russia), is this in Asia or Europe? I've seen the region being classified as both, it's definitely east of Turkey. Istanbul is suppose be on two continents, Europe and Asia, the Asian part of Turkey sometimes is classified as the Middle East and sometimes isn't.

Is Egypt solely in Africa? Assuming the Suez Canal is the diving line between Africa and Asia, that would make a part of Egypt, (the Sinai) in Asia.

I suppose diving lines can be confusing, Cyprus is a good example that has already been mentioned. What about the Caucaus (Armenia, Azerbijan, Georgia and some parts of Russia), is this in Asia or Europe? I've seen the region being classified as both, it's definitely east of Turkey. Istanbul is suppose be on two continents, Europe and Asia, the Asian part of Turkey sometimes is classified as the Middle East and sometimes isn't.

Sinai is considered Asia. Israel is 100% in Asia, but it is also in the region known as Middle east.

Middle east has parts in Asia, Africa and Europe (no intent in any OMNI stuff here)

Now that someone else has mentioned it, I've wondered why Cyprus is in this forum too. Cyprus in in the EU and the currency is the Euro. I've never considered Cyprus to be in the Middle East.

Turkey is in the Europe forum, but only a small part of Turkey is geographically in Europe. Seems a bit odd. Culturally Turkey seems more Middle Eastern than Cyprus does.

Now that someone else has mentioned it, I've wondered why Cyprus is in this forum too. Cyprus in in the EU and the currency is the Euro. I've never considered Cyprus to be in the Middle East.

Turkey is in the Europe forum, but only a small part of Turkey is geographically in Europe. Seems a bit odd. Culturally Turkey seems more Middle Eastern than Cyprus does.

Maybe given the source of upcoming bailout loans for its banking sector, Cyprus should be moved to the "Russia" forum :)

Airlines don't always help: they have varying definitions of North Africa, the Middle East, and different sub-zones within Asia.

Personally, I think "ME including Egypt" is pretty clear.