As Edward Said demonstrated in his landmark work, Orientalism, the ways in which the Middle East has been represented by outsiders (particularly those in the West) has had a tremendous influence on how this region of the world has been viewed by others. For anyone with an interest in Western interactions with the Middle East, this fascinating and engaging online digital archive includes travel guides written by Western visitors, photographic and hand-drawn images of Egypt, and some interactive GIS maps of both Egypt and Cyprus. With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Travelers in the Middle East Archive (TIMEA) includes over 15,000 pages of text, 800 images, and 150 historical maps. Visitors with an interest in how such projects are created and maintained will also appreciate their papers and presentations section, which includes pieces on their work. Along with other materials included here, one of the highlights of the site must certainly be a first-hand account of travels through Palestine and environs written by H. Rider Haggard, who is probably best known for his series of late 19th century adventure novels set in Africa.
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