West Asia and North Africa is located at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa. It encompasses 25 countries and regions, stretching from the Iranian Plateau in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west, from the Caucasus Mountains in the north to the Sahara Desert in the south. West Asia and North Africa feature a diverse geographical environment, with a wide array of landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, fertile plains, oases, and deserts. The region has a long history and an exceptionally rich cultural heritage. It is the cradle of ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Iranian-Persian, and Arab-Islamic civilizations, and the birthplace of major religions, including Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam.
