If the eastern end of the earth is called the Orient, what is the western end called -what is the opposite of the word, Orient ?

The names for the eastern and western parts of the world both have ancient roots tied to the daily journey of the sun. The term 'Orient' comes from the Latin word *oriens*, which means 'rising.' From the perspective of ancient Romans, this referred to the direction of the sunrise. Its direct counterpart is derived from the Latin *occidens*, meaning 'setting,' which logically pointed to the direction of the sunset.

Historically, these terms were used from a European viewpoint to divide the known world. The Orient generally referred to lands east of Europe, encompassing the Middle East and especially East Asia. The Occident, in turn, referred to the Western world, primarily Europe and later the Americas. This division created a cultural and geographical concept of an 'East' and a 'West' that has influenced art, politics, and philosophy for centuries.

While 'Orient' can still be found in some contexts, like the famed Orient Express, its counterpart has become quite rare in modern English. Its adjectival form, 'Occidental,' is almost never used in casual conversation. Similarly, the term 'Oriental' is now widely considered outdated and often offensive when used to describe people, with more specific national or regional identities being strongly preferred.