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Business Place Downtown Jebel Ali Price From: 2,677,000 AED Region: Dubai • Excellent Commercial development • Outstanding location • Superb access	Harbour Heights Al Reem Island Price From: 2,344,000 AED Region: Abu Dhabi • The ultimate in waterfront living • Abundant fitness facilities • Spectacular surroundings	The Terrace Lusail Price From: 1,710,000 AED Region: Qatar • Exhilarating modern design • Qatar’s largest domestic project • High-class residential development

Middle East

Property  Middle East - Introduction

Although not a clearly defined area, the Middle East is generally considered to be the area lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea, although it is also heavily shaped by other large masses of water, such as the Red and Caspian Seas and the Persian and Aden Gulfs. 

For centuries, it has been one of the planet's most important hubs, a crossroads between Europe, Africa, Asia and the Indian Ocean, making it a centre of civilisation, trade and even religion, with Christianity, Islam and Judaism all having roots firmly planted in the area. Yet, in spite of being home to great civilisations such as the Ancient Egyptians, the modern Middle East only came into existence after World War I, when the Ottoman Empire was split into separate nations. 

Today, when referring to the Middle East, we're usually thinking of Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the UAE and Yemen. Many of those names, unfortunately, have connotations of conflict and strife – for a long time during the Cold War, the battle between the superpowers of the USA and USSR were played out in this region – however, it's also important to remember that the Middle East is a vast area and many of its countries have a history of peace and tolerance. 

The area's fortunes were transformed in the 20th Century when huge reserves of crude oil were discovered bringing incredible wealth to the area. While some countries are still reliant on their natural resources, others have invested the money into infrastructure and developed extremely successful tourist-driven economies. Egypt and Turkey focus on idyllic beach front resorts, with golden sands, azure waters and top-class water sports, whereas the likes of Qatar, along with the UAE's Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have taken advantage of their spoils to create some of the world's most awe-inspiring, futuristic cities where international commerce meets cutting-edge property developments and some of the most impressive tourist attractions under the sun.  

Property Middle East - Geography and Climate 

The vast majority of the Middle East is flat, dry and almost desert-like in appearance; in fact, Rub'al Khali, one of the world's largest deserts, lies across parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE and Yemen. Measuring some 650,000 square kilometres, it is bigger than France, Holland and Belgium combined. With dunes larger than the Eiffel Tower and temperatures soaring to over 55°C, it's little wonder that this desert is still largely unexplored. 

However, there are also lush oases, rolling dunes, peaks and mountain ranges in the Middle East, with Turkey's Mt Ararat, Iran's Zagros Mountains and Yemen's Jabal Nukum amongst the highest. At the other end of the spectrum, the Dead Sea – a large salt lake between Jordan, Israel and the West Bank – is the lowest point on the earth's surface, lying 420 metres below sea level. 

Needless to say, the climate throughout the region is, by and large, hot and dry; but, closer to the coasts, there are often cooling breezes making life much more pleasant. 

Property Middle East - Accessibility 

As one of the world's major hubs, with an 'Open Skies' policy, Dubai International Airport is becoming one of the busiest in the world with over 110 airlines flying to and from Dubai, including direct and daily flights from all over the UK with the likes of Royal Brunei, Emirates, BA, Virgin Atlantic, KLM, Air France, Etihad and Qatar Airlines. With increasing numbers of carriers, you can now pick up a return flight from just over £300 and direct flights take around seven hours. Better still, British citizens require no visa to visit Dubai and, from there, the rest of the Emirates are easily accessible. 

However, there are also regular direct flights with both traditional and low-cost carriers from all the UK's major airports into the likes of Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh, Qatar's Doha Airport, Jordan's Amman Queen Alia and several airports across Turkey. 

Property Middle East - Culture 

Thanks to the tribal migration which took place in the region for centuries, the culture – that is dress, art, music and food – tends to differ little across the Middle East, much of it owing to the nomadic Bedouin tribes which continue to roam the lands. Traditional foods include mezze appetisers, stuffed leaves and vegetables, hummus, shawarma kebabs, falafels and heavily seasoned roasted meats. Street food is very popular, although there are also excellent restaurants and, increasingly in the major centres, all the usual choices you'd find in a modern western city – from fast food to haute cuisine. 

It's impossible to discuss culture in the Middle East without discussing pilgrimages, as the area is home to some of the most important places in world religion. From Damascus and Mt Ararat – believed to be where Noah's ark came to rest – to the holy cities of Jerusalem and Mecca, the region is teeming with important places of worship and historical interest. 

At the other end of the spectrum lies the UAE. Lacking the traditional cultures of the rest of the Middle East, Dubai has developed world-beating international film and shopping festivals, while Abu Dhabi will soon be the venue for a Louvre and Guggenheim museum. 

Property Middle East - Activities 

Again, the UAE rules the roost in all that glitters. From championship golf courses, the world's largest indoor ski centre, crazy water parks and the forthcoming Dubailand project (which will be larger than Disneyland and Disney World combined) to jet skiing, deepwater fishing, desert safaris, dune bashing, horse racing and boat trips, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have it all. Plus, there's the national pastime of shopping; an endless stream of souks and malls await, including the newly-opened Emirates Mall which is the world's largest.  

Away from the Emirates, the rest of the Middle East is hardly lacking in top-class entertainment. Egypt, for example, combines traditional pursuits, such as sightseeing and Nile cruises, with excellent golf courses and some of the best diving conditions on the planet. Add springs, spas, yachting and water sports and you begin to get an idea of the diversity of the Middle East's appeal.