Is Africa Eastern or Western? [A clear distinction]

What are Western Countries?

The western world, also referred to as the West or the Occident, has been sculpted a series of definitions; some geographical in nature and others influenced by other factors.

The Western world was once a literal geographical term for Europeans, separating Europe from the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North Africa, and the Far East.

Because Australia and New Zealand are geographically in the East but are Western countries, this is no longer used as a primary definition.

The concept of the West stems from Europe’s Greco-Roman civilization and the arrival of Christianity.

The Western world has been shaped by colonialism from the 15^th to the 20^th centuries, as well as the traditions of the Renaissance, Protestant Reformation, and Age of Enlightenment.

Westernization was the term used to describe the mass exportation of culture to the rest of the world.

Western culture had spread throughout the world by the mid-twentieth century, thanks to mass media such as television, film, radio, and music.

The term ‘Western culture’ refers to traditions, social norms religious beliefs, technologies, and political systems in general.

Because Western culture is so pervasive today, the term ‘Western world’ has cultural, economic, and political connotations.

The Cold War West is the political definition. Following World War II, these countries had democratic, capitalistic governments and were allied against the Soviet Union.

The common denominator in these countries is opposition to communism.

They were dubbed ‘First World countries.’

It is also known as the Rich West in terms of economy.

This is a narrower definition that includes Europe-settled countries with GDP per capita of more than $10,000USD.

This excludes many Central and South American countries that are included in the other definitions, but it does include former communist countries that were left out of the political definition.

With the exception of former Eastern Europe and Turkey, Western countries refer to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as other countries in Europe.

List of Western Countries

The following is a list of western countries-

Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vatican City

The following countries are western in some ways-

Mexico
Colombia
South Africa
Brasil
Venezuela
Costa Rica
Other Caribbean countries with a smaller population

What are Eastern Countries?

Geographically, culturally, and socially, the term “Eastern Countries” can mean a variety of things.

Geographically, every country in the eastern hemisphere, i.e. on the eastern side of the Greenwich meridian, is an eastern country. This means that France is an eastern country, but England is not because the Greenwich meridian runs through it.

Asia and the Middle East are known as Eastern countries because they have an oriental or eastern culture that differs from western culture.

It is also an exception because, despite being a European country, Turkey is still referred to as an eastern country due to its oriental culture.

The Middle East, or the southern part of Asia, encompasses an area roughly the size of the United States and Mexico.

Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Yemen are among the Middle Eastern countries.

Although they are frequently discussed as a group, they differ in as many ways as they are similar.

Except for Iran, Israel, and Turkey (which account for 59 per cent of the region’s population), all Middle Eastern countries are Arab.

List of Eastern Countries

Eastern countries include Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan Palestine, Qatar, Oman, Yemen, and Iran.

List of Non-Western Countries

Non-western countries include Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, China, Japan, the Indian subcontinent, and other countries pertaining to or originating in the region of the world that does include the countries of Western Europe and North America.

Is Africa in the Eastern or Western Hemisphere?

Any circle drawn around the Earth separates it into two equal halves known as hemispheres. There are four hemispheres that are commonly recognised: Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western.

The Equator, or line of 0 degrees latitude, separates the Earth’s Northern and Southern hemispheres.

North America, the northern part of South America, Europe, the northern two-thirds of Africa, and the majority of Asia are all part of the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Hemisphere includes the majority of South America, one-third of Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and a few Asian islands.

Africa has regions that are located in all four hemispheres.

The Eastern Hemisphere contains the majority of Africa, while the Northern Hemisphere contains roughly two-thirds.

One-third is located in the Southern Hemisphere, with a small portion in the Western Hemisphere.

5 Key Differences between Western and Eastern Countries

Here are significant differences between Western and Eastern countries-

1. The Eastern world includes Asia and the Middle East, whereas the Western world includes North and South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

2. Some of the most common religions practiced in the Western world include Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. However, some of the most common religions practiced in the Eastern world are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Shenism, Taoism, and Islam.

3. Western countries’ populations are more liberal than those in the East. Westerners are more open and direct. For instance, in Western culture, topics such as sex and childbirth are openly discussed, whereas in the East, these topics remain taboo.

4. When it comes to clothing, rituals, and so on, people in Eastern countries are more traditional than people in the West. Indians, for example, pay respect to their elders or parents by touching their feet. East Asians bow to welcome visitors, apologize, and express gratitude.

5. Westerners are more open to expressing their emotions. When they are angry, they let it all out. People in the east, on the other hand, may keep it to themselves out of tact and good manners. People from Eastern countries are famously rigid in their beliefs and ideologies. They are not easily persuaded to compromise or to call into question long-held customs and traditions.

6. Arranged marriages are uncommon in the West because they believe in love as the foundation for marriage. In contrast, arranged marriages are prevalent in Eastern countries. They are usually arranged by the couple’s parents or other elders. They hold the belief that love comes after marriage.

7. A person’s preferences are given precedence over those of one’s family. Those from the West, as opposed to those from the East, are more adaptable and free to make their own decisions. Elders are regarded as the home’s leaders in Eastern countries, and children frequently refer their decisions to them and obey what they say. Elders typically make important decisions about the children’s future. In addition, when parents become elderly, their children are more likely to care for them.