The Levant facts for kids
The Levant is a special name for a large area in the Middle East. It includes countries and regions like Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and the modern country of Israel.
This area is bordered by the Taurus Mountains to the north, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, the northern Arabian Desert to the south, and a region called Upper Mesopotamia to the east.
The word "Levant" came into the English language in the 1500s. This was when English merchants first started sailing and trading in this part of the world.
Today, the word "Levant" is mostly used by archaeologists and historians. They use it when talking about the very old history of the region, like the prehistory or the ancient and medieval times. For example, they might use it when discussing the Crusades. Sometimes, the term is also used for modern events or countries in the same area, such as Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Palestinian territories.
Contents
What Countries Are in the Levant?
The Levant is a historical region, and its exact borders can sometimes vary. However, it generally includes these modern-day areas:
Some definitions of the Levant might also include parts of other nearby countries, like Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, and Turkey.
History of the Name "Levant"
The word "Levant" comes from a French word meaning "rising." It refers to the direction where the sun rises in the east. So, for people in Europe, the Levant was the land to the east.
English trading ships first arrived in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1570s. An English trading company made an agreement with the Ottoman Empire in 1579. This helped the word "Levant" become common in English.
Related Places to Explore
Images for kids
-
French medal remembering the Franko-Turkish War in Cilicia, around 1920.
-
A postcard from around 1909 with a French stamp that says "Levant."
-
Old customs from the Levant, showing men from Syria and Lebanon.
-
A map showing where different Arabic dialects are spoken in the Levant area.
_Prince_of_Lebanon,_Moslem_of_Damascus.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Levante mediterráneo para niños
