Life in the Arab League

Citizenship

Culture

Demographics

The Arab League, is a highly Populated region, culturally diverse League of 22 member states. As of January 1, 2007, the population of the Arab League was about 314 million people. Many countries are expected to experience an increase in population over the coming decades eating up all the slow Economic Developments being made in the League's Developing Countries.

The most populous member state is Egypt, with a population of 80 million people, with the least Populated is Djibouti with around half a million inhabitant. Most of the Gulf States have high foreign Labor, the UAE's native population counts for less than 20% of its over all population, and 50% from South East Asia. some Gulf states import cheep Arab labor mainly from Egypt and Yemen, and others from Asia and Africa.

Languages of the League

The Official Language of the Arab League is the Fus'ha Arabic, of Classic Arabic, but within the League members there are several official and non-official languages spoken, such as Kurdish, Assyrian, Nubian, Armenian, Tamazigh and several others, there are also different Arabic Dialects, like the Masri and the Levant Arabic.Arabic was spread in the Modern day Arab League with the rise of Islam, and people seeking to learn Arabic to read the Quran, Islam's Holy book.

Education

Economy

The Arab League is rich in resources, with enormous Oil and Natural Gas resources, it also has great fertile lands in South of the Sudan, usually referred to as the food basket of the Arab World, the region's instability has not affected its tourism industry, that is considered the fastest growing industry in the region, with Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Tunisia and Jordan Leading the way. Another industry that is growing steadily in the Arab League is Telecommunications, within less than a decade, Local companies have managed to compete internationally, such as Orascom and Etisalat.

Economical achievements within members have been low in the league's history, other smaller Arab Organizations have achieved more than the league has, such as the GCC, but lately several major economic projects that are promising are to be completed, the Arab Gas Pipeline is to end by the year 2010, Connecting Egyptian and Iraqi Gas to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, and then to Turkey thus Europe, a free trade Agreement(GAFTA) is to be completed by 1 January 2008, making 95% of all Arab Products tax free of customs.

Enlargement

Starting with Only 6 Member in 1945, The Arab League Today has a spanning Area of around 14 million km² and 22 members, and 2 observer states, India being the Only Observer not bordering the League.the 22 members today include 3 of the Largest African countries (Sudan, Algeria and Libya), and the largest country in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia)

Foreign relations

The Arab League is filled with critical crises and conflicts, from the State of Palestine to Ceuta. Many superpowers have several interests in this vast rich region. China, Europe and the USA are seeking to expand their influence over the oil rich countries. The EU is trying to stop illegal immigration to its lands by poorer African Citizens passing from Arab States such as Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. The U.S. fears for one of its greatest allies, Israel, from neighbouring Arab States that don't support its existence, while also fears on the Iranian influence in the oil rich Gulf. Russia with its strong diplomatic relations with Arab States from the Soviet Era, is trying to regain its strength by supporting their causes, especially in the Security Council. China has also started to take interest in the oil rich reserves that will help increase its economic boom.Meanwhile, other countries have large interests in the region. Turkey has faced tensions several times with its neighbouring Arab countries, Syria and Iraq over the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, when it built dams blocking their flow into the two states. Iran is trying to strengthen its Shia and Islamic influence by supporting rebellion and liberation movements against Israel, and U.S. led coalition forces in Iraq, while Spain and Morocco have increasing tensions over the Melilla and Ceuta dispute.

Geography

Spanning on two continents, The Arab League can be divided into two parts Asian and African Parts, the Asian Part is the smaller part, made of the Fertile Crescent and Arabian Peninsula, while the African Part is made up of North Africa, Sudan, coastal countries of the Horn of Africa and Comoros Islands. Geographically the Arab League is mostly Arid Lands, it has several major deserts in it, the Sahara desert, the Arabian Desert and other smaller ones, dividing both lands is the Suez Canal in Egypt, other terrains can be found in the Arab League, From the Arid Mountains of Ahaggar Mountains in Algeria to the Fertile valleys of Sudan and Iraq. Its total land area is approximately 14 million km², if ranked it would be second after the Russian Federation.

History

Established in 1945, with British influence, the Organization was heading in a promising direction, until several bumps slowed its progress down, Between the Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Gulf wars, the League's power and public respect has faded away, but today it is rising once more.

Government

Transportation

The Arab League is Divided Into 4 parts when it comes to Transportation, with Arabian peninsual and the Near East being totally connected, By Air, Sea, Highways and Railways, another part is the Nile Valley, made up of Egypt and Sudan, the Two countries have started to improve the River's Navigation System to be accessible in Trading, and a New Railway System will Connect the Southern Egyptian City of Abu Simble with the Northern Sudanese City of Wadi Halfa, and then to Khartoum and Port Sudan, the third Division of the League is the Maghrib, where a 3000 km of Railway runs from the souther cities of Morocco to Tripoli in Western Libya, the last Division of the League is the East African Part, made up of Djibouti, Somalia and Comoros, these three states are not connected at all with an Arab Countries, Djibouti's main income is acting as a seaport for the neighboring Landlocked Ethiopia.

Military

Politics

port

The pan Arab Games, are considered the Biggest Arab Sport Event, another Arab Tournament was made by the ART (Arab Radio and Television) to sponsor Arab Champions League, between Arab Clubs, and is a success, so far.other Competitions include the Arab Basketball Federation with annual competitions, Sport Federations also exist for 43 games, include the Volley, Handball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Squash and Swimming.

Most of these Federations and their comeptitions are sponsored by the Arab League.

Lists