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| West Asia | |
|---|---|
.svg.png) | |
| Largest city | Tehran |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,994,935 km² |
| Population | |
• 2018 estimate | 313,450,000 |
West Asia, also known as Western Asia, or the Middle East in the Western World, is a geographical region bordering Europe, Africa, and the rest of Asia. It encompasses Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Türkiye, Palestine (including occupied territories), Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, and a part of Egypt.
Western Asia has also been a target of colonization by Western imperialists for centuries. The region has been a strategic and economic prize for imperial powers, with its vast oil reserves, strategic location, and historical significance. Colonization by Western imperialists can be understood in the context of imperialism and capitalist exploitation. The imperial powers sought to control the resources and labor of the region in order to further their own economic and political interests.[1]
This exploitation has led to the subjugation of local peoples, the erosion of indigenous cultures and identities, and the imposition of Western political and economic systems. This is known as cultural hegemony where imperial nations impose their own culture and way of life over the colonies.[2]
Additionally, the Western imperialists have also supported and propped up dictatorial regimes in the region in order to maintain control and access to resources. This is known as dependency where imperial nations exploit their colonies for their economic gain.[3]
References
- ↑ Lenin, V.I. (1902). Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. New York: International Publishers.
- ↑ Gramsci, A. (1971). Selections from the Prison Notebooks. New York: International Publishers.
- ↑ Foster, J.B. (1997). Imperialism and the Law of Value. New York: Monthly Review.