Middle East, satellite photograph. North is at top. The Middle East subcontinent is the cultural and geographical region of countries that occupy the divide between Eurasia and North Africa. The Arabian peninsular (centre) comprises Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Yemen. Egypt and Sudan are west of Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea. To the north of Egypt and bordering the Mediterranean Sea are Israel, Lebanon and Syria. The disputed areas of Gaza and the West Bank lie within the borders of Israel. Northwest of the Persian Gulf is Iraq. To the east of Iraq is Iran. To the east of Iran are Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Himalayas (green area).