What geographical region is known as the Near East?

The geographical region known as the Near East specifically refers to the area that encompasses the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. This area is significant historically and culturally, as it includes countries such as modern-day Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and parts of Iraq. The term "Near East" traditionally represents a subset of the broader Middle East and has been used to denote regions where early civilizations such as Mesopotamia and ancient kingdoms thrived.

The other options describe different geographical regions. The area between Asia and Europe is referred to as the transcontinental region rather than the Near East. The lands surrounding the Nile River are associated with ancient Egypt, which is a distinct cultural and geographical entity. Finally, the region north of the Black Sea pertains to Eastern Europe and parts of Asia, which are outside the boundaries of what is considered the Near East. Hence, the choice that accurately identifies the geographical region known as the Near East is the one focusing on the proximity of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.