Orient facts for kids

Orient is a word that means "the east." It comes from the Latin word oriens. This word is often used to talk about the parts of the world that are east of Europe. It is the opposite of the "Occident", which means "the west".

A Look at the East

The word "Orient" has been used for a very long time. In Ancient Rome, people sometimes used it to describe the lands located east of their city. Over time, the imaginary line separating the "East" from the "West" moved further and further.

Where is the Orient?

The idea of where the Orient is has changed throughout history. At different times, it could mean areas as close as the Adriatic Sea or the Aegean Sea. These seas are near Italy and Greece. Later, the term stretched much farther east, even to the Indus River in Asia.

Orient vs. Occident

The term "Orient" is usually compared to the "Occident". The Occident refers to the Western world, which includes countries in Western Europe and North America. The Orient, on the other hand, generally refers to Asia, especially East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. These terms help us understand different cultures and histories around the world.

Images for kids

• 

  Ancient Orient of the Roman Empire and its church order after the Council of Chalcedon, 451

• 

  Administrative Dioceses of the Roman Empire, around 300 AD, including the original Diocese of the Orient

• 

  The Late Roman Diocese of the Orient, around 400 AD

See also

In Spanish: Oriente para niños