Persian Gulf: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:23, 12 August 2004

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The '''Persian Gulf''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: الخليج الفارسي, [[Persian language|Persian]]: خليج فارس, sometimes '''Arabian Gulf''', sometimes shortened to just '''the Gulf''' to avoid debate) is an extension of the [[Arabian Sea]] in between the [[Arabian Peninsula]] and [[Iran]]. This inland sea of some 233,000 km² is connected to the Arabian Sea in the east by the [[Strait of Hormuz]] and the [[Gulf of Oman]], and its western end is marked by the major [[river delta]] of the [[Shatt al-Arab]], called ''Arvand-Rood'' by Iranians, which carries the waters of the [[Euphrates]] and the [[Tigris]].

The [[greece|Greek]] name for this body of water - the "Persian Gulf" - has been in use since ancient times, for it signifies the first major nation-state in that area, namely the [[Persian Empire]] (now [[Iran]]). In the [[1960s]], with the rise of [[Arab nationalism]], [[Arab]] countries began to call The Gulf the "Arabian Gulf". However, the [[Iran]]ian government led two resolutions in the [[United Nations]] to officially recognize that body of water as the "Persian Gulf". The first announcement was made through the document UNAD, 311/Qen on March 5, [[1971]] and the second was UNLA 45.8.2 (C) on August 10, [[1984]]. Most countries and organizations use the name Persian Gulf. Arab countries tend to use the term "Arabian Gulf or gulf", while some British institutionsothers tend to use "the Gulf". These recently forged names have no historical or logical ground and the only historical and original name for this body of water which is also approved by 2 UN resolutions is the Persian Gulf.

Countries with a coastline on the Persian Gulf are (clockwise, from the southeast): [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Qatar]] on a [[peninsula]] off the Saudi coast, [[Bahrain]] on an island, [[Kuwait]] and [[Iraq]] in the northwest, and [[Iran]] in the north. The Persian Gulf and its coastal areas are the largest single source of [[crude oil]] and related industries dominate the region. Various small islands lie within the Gulf and some are contested between neighbouring states.