Persian Gulf

Quick Facts: Who was Persian Gulf?

Subject:

Persian Gulf

Known for:

A semi-enclosed body of water connecting the Arabian Sea to the Indian Ocean.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran (Persia). It is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz. The river delta of the Shatt al-Arab forms the north-west shoreline. The Persian Gulf has many fishing grounds, extensive reefs (mostly rocky, but also coral), and abundant pearl oysters; however, its ecology has been damaged by industrialization and oil spills.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Persian Gulf is in the Persian Gulf Basin, which is of Cenozoic origin and related to the subduction of the Arabian plate under the Zagros Mountains. The current flooding of the basin started 15,000 years ago due to rising sea levels of the Holocene glacial retreat. The International Hydrographic Organization defines the Persian Gulf's southern limit as "The Northwestern limit of Gulf of Oman". This limit is defined as "A line joining Ràs Limah (25°57'N) on the coast of Arabia and Ràs al Kuh (25°48'N) on the coast of Iran (Persia)". This inland sea of some 251,000 square kilometres (96,912 sq mi) is connected to the Gulf of Oman in the east by the Strait of Hormuz.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Its western end is marked by the major river delta of the Shatt al-Arab, which carries the waters of the Euphrates and the Tigris. In Iran, this is called "Arvand Rud" (lit. Its length is 989 kilometres (615 miles), with Iran covering most of the northern coast and Saudi Arabia most of the southern coast. The Persian Gulf is about 56 km (35 mi) wide at its narrowest, in the Strait of Hormuz. The waters are very shallow, with a maximum depth of 90 metres (295 feet) and an average depth of 50 metres (164 feet).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Persian Gulf

True or False: “The Persian Gulf was always known by the name 'Persian Gulf' throughout its recorded history.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historically, it was also referred to by names such as the 'Bitter Sea' by the Assyrians or 'Persian (Pars) Sea'.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Persian Revolt — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The military conflict between the Median kingdom and Persis, leading to Achaemenid dominance.
• Persians — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: An indigenous Iranian ethnic group originating from the Iranian Plateau, central to ancient empires.
• Persis — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Historical region in south-western Iran, corresponding roughly to modern Fars province.
• Personal protective equipment — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Equipment designed to shield the body from physical, chemical, and biological hazards.
• Pertinax — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Roman Emperor who briefly ruled in 193, succeeding Commodus and facing a violent end.
• Peru — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A megadiverse South American nation with a civilization history spanning millennia.

Frequently Asked Questions about Persian Gulf