Origins & History
Arabs are a Semitic ethnolinguistic group whose identity emerged in the Arabian Peninsula and spread rapidly following the rise of Islam in the 7th century CE. Arab language and culture came to dominate much of the Middle East and North Africa through subsequent centuries of political, religious, and commercial expansion. Modern Arab identity today encompasses a wide diversity of national, religious, and regional traditions.
Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 450 million Arabs worldwide, spread across 22 countries in the Arab League. Major populations live in Egypt, Algeria, Iraq, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the Palestinian territories. Arabic is spoken across this region in many regional dialects, with Modern Standard Arabic as a shared literary form.
Diaspora & Migration
The Arab diaspora is substantial, estimated at 30 to 50 million people. Historic communities are established in Brazil (with one of the world's largest Arab-descended populations), France, the United States, Argentina, Venezuela, and Australia. More recent migration, often driven by conflict, has grown Arab communities in Germany, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
About This Map
This map reflects perceptions of where Arab populations live. Because Arab identity spans many nationalities, results may show visitor familiarity with either the core Arab world or its extensive diaspora.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Arabs populations live.