White, black, red, green are the colors of Western Asia, the largest Asian region, the territory of which is divided between 17 full-fledged and 4 partially recognized states. Sharp contrast, austerity of color and straight lines are the hallmarks of West Asian flags. Sharpness, rigor and directness are no less iconic qualities of the national character. Kuwait and Oman, Jordan and Syria, Yemen and the Emirates, as if by agreement, decided to capture good and evil, the struggle and victory of Islam in their national banners. The picture is diluted by Turkey (it is understandable: almost Europe), the seemingly serene blue and white Israel, multi-colored Armenia and frivolous Cyprus, whose flag is an island-ship, rushing into the distance on the snow-white Mediterranean expanses.
An extrovert and an introvert rolled into one, Western Asia is both open, touristic and closed, “for its own”. On the one hand, military conflicts do not subside here, and the rulers simply amaze with cruelty and tyranny, on the other hand, such pillars of the resort industry as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are located here, and the state policy in the field of tourism development and attracting foreign capital is a universally recognized model to emulate.
So, why is Western Asia interesting for a tourist? Let’s start with a remarkable kindred of souls. In Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, you feel absolutely at home: there is no need to grind out different “excuses”, because the great and mighty are understood by everyone here, from young to old. Only the view of Mount Eleon trembling in the hot air or the graceful silhouette of Ararat will remind you that you are abroad. Further, Western Asia can offer tourists not outstanding, but quite worthy beach joys (and at the same time for affordable money) – we are talking about Cyprus and Turkey, as well as a balanced combination of good sea and interesting “excursion” – as in Israel, Jordan and the Emirates.
Finally, this is the number one destination in the segment of religious and pilgrimage tours: Jews, Christians and Muslims travel to Israel year-round, and Saudi Arabia is the spiritual center for followers of Islam from all over the world, managing to fulfill the annual “tourist” norm of other giants of the tourism industry in 10 days of the Hajj.
As for the natural attractions of Western Asia, they can be described in one word – minimalism, in which, however, an attentive traveler will feel all the richness of the world. Whether it is the lifeless expanses of the Dead Sea or the lunar landscapes of Wadi Rum, the endless dunes of the Arabian Desert or the harsh rocks of Azerbaijani Gobustan colored with petroglyphs, everything is imbued with austere beauty, grandeur and eternity.
For those who prefer the pleasures of life as opposed to asceticism and contemplation, Western Asia has prepared a heap of colorful Azerbaijani carpets and pieces of Lebanese silk burning in the sun, the sparkle of golden jewelry of the Emirates and the rumbling energy of Georgian dances, the sweetest Yemeni desserts and the tart amber of Armenian cognacs, and also – the blinding sun and the warmth of the hearts of the locals, for whom any guest is a precious gift of life.
West Asian countries
According to Countryaah, Western Asia has the following countries:
- Azerbaijan
- Armenia
- Bahrain
- Georgia
- Israel
- Jordan
- Qatar
- Lebanon
- United Arab Emirates
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- Turkey
