Country Spotlights

Afghanistan, officially known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is located in the middle of Central and South Asia. It shares Southern and Eastern borders with Pakistan, Northern borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, and Western borders with China and Iran.

In Giza, an exalted complex of grand pyramids and the Great Sphinx overlooks the fashionable megacity of Cairo and its densely-populated suburbs.

India is a diverse country in South Asia, with a variety of ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups. Mainland India stretches from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to tropical Kanyakumari in the south. With over 1.3 billion people, India is the world’s second-most populous country, predicted to surpass China in population by 2027.

Iran, an ethnically and culturally diverse country in West Asia, has so much to offer. From bustling urban landscapes to breathtaking peaks and valleys to pristine beaches to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, there is a perfect place to visit for anyone within this underrated country. Iran also has an immense history, with a variety of empires and dynasties that have ruled over the area.

Iraq, a part of ancient Mesopotamia, was officially established following World War I out of the provinces of Baghdad, Basra, and Mosul. The landscape, rich in alluvium, fostered some of the world’s earliest civilizations: Sumer, Akkad, Babylon, and Assyria. With more than 95% of its population identifying as Muslim, Iraq has earned its reputation as one of the signature Islamic states in the world.

Lebanon is an Arab country located on the Mediterranean coast in the Middle East. The city of Beirut is the nation’s capital and is home to countless stunning sights. With a population of almost seven million, Lebanon is the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world!

Libya, officially known as the State of Libya, is located in North Africa and shares borders with the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Chad, and Niger. The country’s official language is Arabic and consists of multiple ethnic groups such as Libyans, Bedouins, Egyptians, Amazighs, Tunisians, and more.

Saudi Arabia, officially known as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is an Arab country located on the Arabian Peninsula. It shares borders with the Red Sea, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and other Middle Eastern nations.

The multinational island country of Sri Lanka is known for its beautiful plains, mountains, and arable soil. With its rich history stretching back to the 6th century BCE, Sri Lanka has historically been a center of innovation in many prominent ways. To this day Colombo serves as an executive and judicial capital of Sri Lanka, and a major port for the world.

Sudan, officially known as the Republic of Sudan, is located in the northeastern part of Africa and shares borders with the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and the Red Sea.

Syria sits along the Mediterranean coast wedged between Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon. It boasts one of the oldest civilizations in the world, Ebla, that’s believed to be about 5,000 years old. The country is also home to the city of Aleppo, which has been occupied since 6,000 BC, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.