Levant
The Levant is an approximate geographical term referring to an area roughly bounded by the Mediterranean Sea in the west, and the Zagros Mountains in the east. It generally does not include Asia Minor, the Caucasus Mountains, or any part of the Arabian Peninsula.The term "Levant" is derived from the Latin term levare (to rise), from levis ("light in weight"), and refers to the rising sun, which is the direction in which the region appears to lie from the perspective of Greek and Roman peoples. The term first began to appear in English in the 16th century, and is typically only used in conjunction with prehistoric or early historical references (similar to Mesopotamia, a territory the Levant includes), or when discussing the Crusades.
See also: Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon; History of Levant
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