Lebanon

Lebanon is a small country in the Middle East in Asia, West of Syria.

(from: wikipedia - lebanon)

To eat in Lebanon you might have kibbeh nayyeh, which is uncooked lamb meat with spices.

(from: wikipedia - kibbeh nayyeh)

A famous poet from Lebanon was Khalil Gibran. He was the third best selling poet of all time.

(from: wikipedia - khalil gibran)

One of the largest ancient buildings is in the city of Baalbeck, a place called the Temple of Bacchus.

(from: wikipedia - temple of bacchus)

Through history, the cedar trees that grew in Lebanon were very important for making buildings, ships and even medicine. The cedar trees in Lebanon are still a symbol of the nation today.

(from: wikipedia - cedrus libani)


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Syria

We just learned about the country of Jordan.

Syria is a country in the Middle East in Asia, in between Turkey and Iraq.

(from: wikipedia - syria)

To eat in Syria, you might have some hummus which is a kind of dip people usually eat with pita bread.

(from: wikipedia - hummus)

The first woman to serve on the Supreme Court was Rosemary Barkett. Her parents were from Syria, and they migrated to the US when she was young.

(from: wikipedia - rosemary barkett)

In the city of Bosra there is an ancient arena called a coliseum where people could speak to large groups of people.

(from: wikipedia - bosra)

In the city of Hama there are giant waterwheels call norias, that were used to bring water from the river into the town.

(from: wikipedia - norias of hama)


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Jordan

Jordan is a country in the Middle East in Asia, in between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

(from: wikipedia - jordan)

For a meal in Jordan you might have mansaf, which is lamb with yogurt and rice.

(from: wikipedia - mansaf)

Daoud Hanania is a famous surgeon in Jordan, and was the first to perform heart surgery in the country.
(from: wikipedia - daoud hanania)

A very famous tomb was carved out of a mountain in a place called Petra.

(from: wikipedia - al khazneh)

There is an ancient place in Jordan called Bethabara that people believe is the place where John the Baptist brought people to be baptized.

(from: wikipedia - bethabara)


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Iraq

We just learned about the country of Saudi Arabia.

Iraq is a country in the Middle East in Asia, just south of Turkey.

(from: wikipedia - iraq)

For a meal in Iraq you might have fattoush, which is pita bread with leafy vegetables and other mixed vegetables.

(from: wikipedia - fattoush)

One of the most powerful kings the world ever saw was Nebuchadnezzar, who was from the area where Iraq is now. When he was king there, the land was called Babylon.

(from: wikipedia - nebuchadnezzar)

There are ancient ruins in the town of Hatra

(from: wikipedia - hatra)

The area is sometimes called the cradle of civilization because it is where some of the oldest buildings in the world are found.

(from: wikipedia - cradle of civilization)

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Saudi Arabia

We just learned about Afghanistan.

Saudi Arabia is a country in Asia South of Israel.
It is also in an area known as the Middle East along with Israel and Turkey.
(from: wikipedia - saudi arabia)

For a meal in Saudi Arabia, you may have Kabsa, which is spices with rice, meat and vegetables.

(from: wikipedia - kabsa)

A famous woman scientist in Saudi Arabia is Hayat Sindi.
It is very difficult for girls in that country to go to college or be scientists.
Many people there think that women should only stay home and cook and watch children.
Hayat Sindi has made many successes and helps teach little girls in her country that they can be anything they want to be.

(from: wikipedia - hayat sindi)

In the town of Mada'in Saleh, there are some giant tombs carved into the side of mountains.

(from: wikipedia - mada'in saleh)

In Saudi Arabia, women have to wear something called a hijab, which covers their head and chest.

(from: wikipedia - hijab)

Men wear something called a thawb which is like a long robe.

(from: wikipedia - thawb)

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Turkey

Last time we learned about Russia.
Next up is Turkey!

Just like Russia, Turkey is part of both Europe and Asia
It is on the very Southeastern edge of Europe.

(from: wikipedia - turkey)

For breakfast in Turkey you might have simit, which is bread with sesame seeds.

(from: wikipedia - turkish cuisine)

There are some famous rock formations in Turkey, called the Fairy Chimneys.

(from: wikipedia - cappadocia)

An old Roman emperor called Constantine the Great built a city to be the capitol of the whole Roman empire at the time. He called it Byzantium, it was renamed Constantinople, and then renamed Istanbul.

(from: wikipedia - constantine)



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