The ongoing revolution and unrest in the Middle East and North Africa have focused the world’s gaze on the Arab world, which is undergoing unprecedented upheavals.

However, there has been little discussion of Arab-Americans, the descendants of immigrants from the Mideast who now number some 4-million in the U.S.

Arabs have been in the U.S. for well over a century and, for the most part, have successfully assimilated seamlessly into the American mainstream.

Initially, Arabs arrived in the states amidst the break-up of the huge Ottoman Empire, which at one time ruled over much of the present-day Middle East/North Africa. Most of the early arrivals were Christians from what is now Lebanon and Syria; later more Muslims came.

Arab-Americans have made extraordinary contributions to U.S. politics, arts, science, business, medicine, sports and numerous other endeavors.

Here are just a few prominent Arab-Americans:

Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs Reuters
Tony Shalhoub
The actor best known as the detective in “Monk” is the son of Lebanese parents. Reuters
George Mitchell
Former Democratic U.S. Senator and former Senate Majority Leader is the son of a Lebanese woman. He became widely admired for helping to broker peace in Northern Ireland. REUTERS
John J Mack
The Chairman of the Board and CEO of Morgan Stanley/ REUTERS