Arabs
From Halbeeg, the open encyclopedia · Af-Soomaali
139 languages
Arabs are an ethnic and cultural group concentrated in the Middle East and North Africa. They are defined primarily by the Arabic language, which belongs to the Semitic language family, and by a shared cultural heritage spanning centuries. The global Arab population is estimated at over 400 million people.
The definition of "Arab" is not uniform. Some trace it to tribal ancestry and genealogy originating in the Arabian Peninsula, while others define it through language and culture. Consequently, many people in Egypt, Sudan, Iraq, and North Africa identify as Arab despite having ancestry distinct from that of the Arabian Peninsula.
Language
Arabic exists in two forms: Modern Standard Arabic (also called Classical Arabic), used in writing, media, and education, and regional dialects that vary across countries. Maghrebi and Gulf dialects can differ markedly and mutual intelligibility may be difficult. The Quran was revealed in Arabic, which has preserved Modern Standard Arabic for centuries.
History
Before Islam, the Arabian Peninsula was inhabited by nomadic tribes and trading cities such as Mecca. In the 7th century, following the emergence of Islam, political and cultural expansion reached from Iberia to Central Asia. Under the Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties, cities such as Damascus and Baghdad became centers of learning, mathematics, medicine, and philosophy.
In later centuries, much Arab territory fell under Ottoman rule, followed by French and British colonial administrations. Between the 1930s and 1960s many nations gained independence. In 1945 the League of Arab States was founded.
Religion and culture
Most Arabs are Muslim, both Sunni and Shia. Arab Christian communities also exist with deep historical roots, particularly in Egypt (Coptic), Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Palestine, and Jordan. Arab culture is preserved in poetry, literature, music, calligraphy, and architectural decoration.
Geography and diaspora
League of Arab States members extend from Mauritania and Morocco in the west to Oman and Yemen in the east, and include Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, and the Comoros. The Arab diaspora is substantial, with significant communities in Brazil, Argentina, France, the United States, and elsewhere.