Overview of Arab Countries
When wandering through the incredible region of Arab nations, it’s useful to get how they’re setup and where they sit on the map. This part gets into the nitty-gritty of the Arab League’s beginnings and where its folks are hanging out.
Introduction to Arab League
The Arab League, officially called the League of Arab States (LAS), pulls together 22 countries in Africa and Asia. Born on March 22, 1945, in Cairo after the Alexandria Protocol was signed in 1944, this club was all about getting on the same page and watching each other’s backs (European External Action Service). These countries teamed up to buddy-up, chat about what matters, and look out for each other.
Countries in the Arab League take up over 5 million square miles and include a crowd of more than 453 million folks, as of 2022 (World Population Review). The league’s mission is to get everyone working together—politically, economically, culturally, and socially.
Geographical Distribution
Spread across both Africa and Asia, the Arab League’s 22 countries show off their geographical and cultural variety. Positioned all over the place, these nations play big roles in regional happenings.
Here’s who’s who in the Arab League:
| Country | Continent |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Africa |
| Bahrain | Asia |
| Comoros | Africa |
| Djibouti | Africa |
| Egypt | Africa |
| Iraq | Asia |
| Jordan | Asia |
| Kuwait | Asia |
| Lebanon | Asia |
| Libya | Africa |
| Mauritania | Africa |
| Morocco | Africa |
| Oman | Asia |
| Palestine | Asia |
| Qatar | Asia |
| Saudi Arabia | Asia |
| Somalia | Africa |
| Sudan | Africa |
| Syria | Asia |
| Tunisia | Africa |
| United Arab Emirates | Asia |
| Yemen | Asia |
The spread of these countries stirs up their culture, economy, and political vibe.
This quick tour of Arab countries gives a heads-up on the Arab League and where everyone fits. For more about their crowd sizes, check the Population and Area section. Dive into dollars and cents in the Economic Landscape article.
Want to know more about other places? Peek at our lists of African, European, and Asian countries.
To catch up with what’s new with the Arab League and its buddy-buddy situation with the European Union, explore Political Cooperation. This gives the scoop on how these friendships shake things up policy-wise and economically, both locally and worldwide.
Population and Area
Arab countries scattered across the Middle East and North Africa come with a bunch of different populations and sizes. You can really get a feel for their economic and social vibes by looking at these numbers.
Most Populous Arab Countries
Arab countries don’t size up the same when it comes to folks living there. Here’s who’s got the biggest crowds:
| Rank | Country | Population (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 106 |
| 2 | Algeria | 44 |
| 3 | Sudan | 44 |
| 4 | Iraq | 41 |
| 5 | Morocco | 36 |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 35 |
| 7 | Yemen | 30 |
| 8 | Syria | 18 |
| 9 | Tunisia | 12 |
| 10 | Jordan | 10 |
Stats courtesy of World Population Review.
Largest and Smallest Arab Countries
The size of the land is another angle to look at Arab countries. Check out who’s got the most turf and who’s squeezed for space:
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 2,381,741 | 919,352 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 2,150,000 | 830,000 |
| 3 | Sudan | 1,861,484 | 718,723 |
| 4 | Libya | 1,759,541 | 679,359 |
| 5 | Chad | 1,284,000 | 495,753 |
| … | … | … | … |
| 19 | Lebanon | 10,452 | 4,036 |
| 20 | Palestine | 6,020 | 2,320 |
| 21 | Qatar | 11,586 | 4,473 |
| 22 | Bahrain | 785 | 303 |
Data thanks to Wikipedia.
Urban Population Centers
Cities in the Arab regions aren’t just places on the map; they’re buzzing centers of business, culture, and politics:
| City | Country | Population (millions) |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | Egypt | 16 |
| Baghdad | Iraq | 8.8 |
| Riyadh | Saudi Arabia | 7.6 |
| Casablanca | Morocco | 3.7 |
| Khartoum | Sudan | 5.9 |
Get the full urban lowdown in our piece on urban population centers.
Arab nations are not just about numbers. The variety in people, sizes, ways of talking, and beliefs is what really defines them. Dive into our bits on the list of countries in the Middle East and list of african countries for more cool info.
Language and Religion
The Arab region bursts with cultural flair, deeply grounded in the Arabic language and a buffet of religious beliefs. Let’s take a closer look at the main language chatted and the religious scene sprinkled across Arab lands.
Arabic as Primary Language
Arabic is the main lingo in all 22 countries that make up the Arab League, serving as a cultural glue. There’s a spicy mix of dialects and local accents, though Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) reigns supreme in formal talks, the evening news, and literary pieces.
| Country | Official Language |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Arabic, Berber |
| Bahrain | Arabic |
| Comoros | Arabic, French, Comorian |
| Djibouti | Arabic, French |
| Egypt | Arabic |
| Iraq | Arabic, Kurdish |
| Jordan | Arabic |
| Kuwait | Arabic |
| Lebanon | Arabic |
| Libya | Arabic |
| Mauritania | Arabic |
| Morocco | Arabic, Berber |
| Oman | Arabic |
| Palestine | Arabic |
| Qatar | Arabic |
| Saudi Arabia | Arabic |
| Somalia | Arabic, Somali |
| Sudan | Arabic |
| Syria | Arabic |
| Tunisia | Arabic |
| UAE | Arabic |
| Yemen | Arabic |
But, it’s not just about talking. Arabic is crucial in spiritual matters since it’s the lingo of the Quran, Islam’s holy book (internal link: list of countries in the middle east).
Religious Distribution
Islam dominates the Arab scene, with most folks identifying as Muslim. Sunni Islam takes the lead, though countries like Iraq, Lebanon, and Bahrain have a robust Shia presence. Other religious groups, including Christians and Druze, add spice to the religious mix.
| Country | Major Religion | Percentage of Muslim Population |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | Islam | 99% |
| Bahrain | Islam | 70% (Shia), 30% (Sunni) |
| Comoros | Islam | 98% |
| Djibouti | Islam | 94% |
| Egypt | Islam | 90% |
| Iraq | Islam | 97% (60-65% Shia, 32-37% Sunni) |
| Jordan | Islam | 93% |
| Kuwait | Islam | 74% (Sunni) |
| Lebanon | Islam, Christianity | 54% Muslim (27% Sunni, 27% Shia), 40.5% Christian |
| Libya | Islam | 97% |
| Mauritania | Islam | 100% |
| Morocco | Islam | 99% |
| Oman | Islam | 85% (Ibadism) |
| Palestine | Islam | 97% |
| Qatar | Islam | 67% |
| Saudi Arabia | Islam | 100% (Sunni) |
| Somalia | Islam | 92% |
| Sudan | Islam | 90% |
| Syria | Islam | 87% (74% Sunni) |
| Tunisia | Islam | 98% |
| UAE | Islam | 76% |
| Yemen | Islam | 99% |
Source: (European External Action Service)
The deep spiritual vibe shapes a lot of the social and cultural vibe in these lands. While the religious spread mixes things up, Islam stands as a big unifier across these varied countries (internal link: list of countries by human development index).
For more on cultural and political vibes in these regions, check out our other reads, like the list of african countries and list of european countries.
Literacy Rates
Adult Literacy Across Arab Nations
In Arab countries, literacy rates show quite the mix. Some countries are bookworm havens, while others could use a nudge towards the library, revealing the wide range of educational success in the area. Across the board, adult literacy rates in the Arab world are a little shy of 77%, according to the World Population Review. But shine a light on Syria and Lebanon, and you’ll spot more than 90% of adults reading with ease.
| Country | Literacy Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Syria | 91 |
| Lebanon | 92 |
| Jordan | 94 |
| Yemen | 54 |
| Egypt | 72 |
For more on what each country is up to, swing by our list of countries by human development index.
Gender Disparities
When it comes to gender and books, many Arab countries still have some catching up to do. An upward trend in literacy is there, but the gap between the dudes and the dames is still pretty noticeable.
| Country | Male Literacy Rate (%) | Female Literacy Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Syria | 94 | 88 |
| Lebanon | 95 | 89 |
| Jordan | 96 | 92 |
| Yemen | 70 | 37 |
| Egypt | 80 | 64 |
Closing these gaps is a work in progress, with some countries rolling out plans to get more women hooked on learning. Understanding what’s driving these trends helps in making smart educational plans.
To leaf through more info about the economic vibes, check out our list of countrys economic status. Or peek at how education fuels growth with our list of developing countries.
Economic Scene
The Arab world is a melting pot of economies, from ones swimming in oil money to others that get by on different raw materials. Let’s take a gander at the wealthiest Arab nations and the economic vibe across the region.
Wealthiest Arab Economies
Saudi Arabia is like the big boss of Arab economies, chilling at the eleventh largest in Asia, according to the World Bank. On its coattails are Egypt and Algeria, holding firm as Africa’s second and third big dogs, respectively (source). But hold up, when it comes to the cash each person gets on average, Qatar is living large, topping the list of developing nations worldwide.
| Country | Total Money ($B) | Money per Person ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 792 | 23,338 |
| Egypt | 363 | 3,569 |
| Algeria | 173 | 4,123 |
| Qatar | 180 | 85,535 |
Want to peek at more global economic rankings? Check out our piece on the list of countries by GDP.
Economic Mix
The economy game in Arab lands is a mix of everything you can think of. Many places are rolling in cash from oil and gas sales, putting them on the global energy map. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Union of the Arab Maghreb (UMA) are the main squad members in the region for economic teamwork.
| Economic Group | Countries in Club |
|---|---|
| Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) | Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE |
| Union of the Arab Maghreb (UMA) | Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia |
Whether they got serious stacks or are hustling to grow, Arab countries have a big ol’ finger in the global pie. Back in 2011, the total money flow from Arab lands was stacked at least $2.8 trillion, holding down the fourth spot worldwide (source). This kinda dough shines a light on how crucial the region is in the worldwide money dance.
Curious about how other places stack up economically? We’ve got another info-loaded article about the list of country’s economic status.
Arab lands keep on growing and trying out new things in their economic worlds. Want to dig deeper into the whole political and economic backdrop of Arab locales? Then our linked articles about regional and economic stuff might just be what you need:
- list of countries in the Middle East
- list of countries by GDP
- list of developing countries
Arab League Membership
Establishment and Expansion
Picture this—back in the heart of Cairo, March 22, 1945, the Arab League, got its act together after the Alexandria Protocol’s 1944 debut. We had the original crew: Egypt, Iraq, formerly Transjordan (Jordan, nowadays), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and North Yemen all banding together for an epic cause. Their big idea? To get everyone chummy and working together on the economic, cultural, and political fronts.
Fast forward, and what began with just seven countries exploded into 22 member nations strong. Cairo keeps the league glammed up as its headquarters but you’ll find outposts sprinkled across various other member states pulling out the diplomatic stops.
| Initial Members | Year Joined |
|---|---|
| Egypt | 1945 |
| Iraq | 1945 |
| Transjordan | 1945 |
| Lebanon | 1945 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1945 |
| Syria | 1945 |
| North Yemen | 1945 |
Recent Developments
Life in the league’s been anything but boring. One standout episode—you can’t overlook—is when Egypt got benched on March 26, 1979, after they made nice with Israel. The whole setup picked up and moved to Tunis for a bit, until Egypt got back in the good graces by May 1989.
The Arab League’s been hustling ever since, taking on regional dramas and keeping the gang of nations on talking terms. It stands firm as a sounding board for sorting out beefs and letting Arab nations tag-team on important issues.
Curious about how other corners of the globe are shaking up their memberships? Check out our juicy lists on African countries, European countries, and Middle Eastern countries. Who knows what alliances are forming next?
Political Cooperation
European Union Relations
The bond between the European Union (EU) and the League of Arab States (LAS) has come a long way, building a solid partnership on political and security fronts. A major leap forward happened when they inked the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) back in 2015. Since then, they’ve kept the momentum rolling with regular meetings and set up EU-LAS Working Groups. These groups tackle big issues like counter-terrorism, crisis management, early-warning systems, stopping the spread of weapons, arms regulation, migration, and the hot topic of climate security.
A few big milestones in their partnership were the first-ever EU-LAS Summit in 2019 in Sharm El-Sheikh, alongside several Foreign Ministers’ meets: Cairo in 2012, Athens in 2014, Cairo again in 2016, and Brussels in 2019. High Representative/Vice President Borrell is frequently in touch with LAS Secretary-General Aboul Gheit, strengthening the dialogue between the EU and LAS.
ECLASLO, a Liaison Office set up in Malta in 2009, is all about sparking new ideas in Euro-Arab collaboration. It’s a joint effort—LAS takes care of the administration, Malta provides the space, and the EU funds the programs.
Economic Cooperation
On the economic front, EU and LAS are cooking up a storm, opening doors for stronger ties and boosting collaborations among members. Their focus: trade, investment, and sustainable growth.
They’re pushing forward with plans to hike up trade, reel in more investments, and kickstart sustainable development projects. These moves are not just about tightening economic bonds but also stirring up growth and progress for both sides.
| Meeting | Year | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ministers Meeting | 2012 | Cairo |
| Foreign Ministers Meeting | 2014 | Athens |
| Foreign Ministers Meeting | 2016 | Cairo |
| Foreign Ministers Meeting | 2019 | Brussels |
| EU-LAS Summit | 2019 | Sharm El-Sheikh |
The teamwork in politics and economics is crucial for a stable and thriving relationship between the EU and LAS. Curious about more on different political and economic arenas? Check out list of european countries and list of countries economic status.
Cultural Significance
Historical Background
The Arab world is a cultural treasure chest, all layered with threads of history, art, and innovation. Stretching from North Africa’s sandy horizons to the bustling heartbeats of West Asia, it has been shaping tales through centuries. These lands, kissing the Atlantic Ocean on one side and dancing with the Arabian Sea on the other, have housed mighty empires and caliphates that lit the way for science, literature, and trade. Think of the Umayyad and Abbasid empires as the Silicon Valley of their time—they pushed forward everything from algebra to mind-blowing architecture, offering gifts of knowledge to cultures both Eastern and Western.
Influence of Arab Nationalism
Fast forward to the 19th century, and you’ll see Arab nationalism rising like a wave. Folks were craving their own identity and independence, tired of European colonial strings. Cue the Arab League in 1945—a superhero trying to unite nations under the banner of Pan-Arabism. This group was like the Avengers of their time, focused on representing Arab interests and pushing for political unity.
Such nationalism didn’t just carve out borders on maps; it shaped politics, forged alliances, and even fueled conflicts. It’s a thread running through literature, music, and other art forms, echoing themes of resistance and identity stronger than a Hulk smash. Arab culture today is a colorful mosaic, reflecting centuries of shared battles, victories, and dreams.
Got a taste for more on this storied region? Check out these page-turners:
- list of african countries
- list of european countries
- list of asian countries
- list of south american countries
- list of countries in the middle east