Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz (hahr-MOOZ) connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. It separates Iran and the Arabian Peninsula (specifically the United Arab Emirates and Musandam of Oman). Of great strategic importance, it contains several islands including: Qeshm, Hormoz, and Hengam; it is only 40-60 mi (64-97 km) wide.  Read More

North Korea

North Korea, also known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, roughly encompasses an area the same size as the U.S. state of Mississippi (120,540 sq km). North Korea is located in Eastern Asia, bordered by the Republic of Korea (South Korea) to the south, China to the north and northwest, and Russia to the northeast. An independent kingdom for much of its long history, Korea was occupied by Japan beginning in 1905 following the Russo-Japanese War. Five years later, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula.  Read More

Iraq

Iraq or Republic of Iraq, (area: 438,317 sq. km.; 2011 est. pop. 30,399,572) covers a land area slightly more than twice the size of Idaho. Iraq is bordered by Kuwait, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The country slopes from mountains over 3,000 meters (10,000 ft.) above sea level along the border with Iran and Turkey to the remnants of sea-level marshes in the southeast. Much of the land is desert or wasteland.  Read More

Afghanistan

Afghanistan, slightly smaller than the state of Texas, is a landlocked country in southern Asia. With an estimated population of 29,835,392 (July 2011); Afghanistan is ethnically diverse: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, and other. The two official languages are Afghan Persian (or Dari) and Pashto; thirty other languages are also recognized and many Afghanis are bilingual. Religiously, the country is 80% Sunni Muslim, 19% Shia Muslim, and 1% other.  Read More