Southwest Asia
The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
The countries of Southwest Asia are predominantly Arab. However, the region is home to many different cultures, religions, ethnicities, and ways of life. Turks, Persians, Jews, and Kurds are just a few of the diverse ethnic groups living in Southwest Asia. Three major world religions have also come from this region: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. For thousands of years, these religious traditions have shaped the cultural landscape in this part of the world. They have also been the root of violent conflicts in the region. Unfortunately, some of these conflicts remain unresolved in modern times.