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A map showing Southwest Asia - The term "Middle East" is more often used to refer to both Southwest Asia and some North African
countries
Southwest Asia, or West Asia, is the southwestern part of Asia.
Geographers that were annoyed with the ambiguity of the term "Middle East" tried to popularize the word "Southwest Asia", but
with limited success. The term "West Asia" has however become the preferred term of use for the Middle East in countries such as
India, possibly because of the perceived Eurocentrism of the term "Middle East". Still others deem that the Middle East should include North African countries or at least the part of Egypt in North Africa.
The countries and territories in Southwest Asia include:
Sometimes the following countries are defined as in Southwest Asia:
Anatolia, Arabia, Levant, and Mesopotamia are subregions of
Southwest Asia.
- For the history of countries in Southwest Asia, see History of the Middle East
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