The Middle East comprises approximately 23 countries and territories with a total population exceeding 500 million. It serves as a convergence point of one gulf, two oceans, three continents, and five seas, strategically linking Asia, Europe, and Africa while serving as a crucial gateway between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The region holds the world’s largest reserves of petroleum and is the leading producer and exporter of oil, exerting significant influence on global economic development.