The Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf is considered to be an extension of the Indian Ocean, it is located between Iran to the northeast and the Arabian Peninsula to the southwest.

Countries with a coastline on the Persian Gulf are Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

The Persian Gulf is believed to have been formed around 15,000 years ago, making it a young body of water.

Persian Gulf Facts for Kids

• It is widely believed that Persian Gulf derives its name from the ancient Persia Empire (the Achaemenid Empire) which flourished between 550 and 330 BC.
• The Persian Gulf and its coastal areas are the world’s largest single source of crude oil. In 2002 the Persian Gulf nations of Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait produced about 25% of the world’s oil.
• The surface area of the Persian Gulf is 251,000km2 making it slightly larger than the United Kingdom with surface area of 248,532km2.
• The average depth of the Persian Gulf is 50m with the deepest depth being 90m making it relatively shallow body of water.
• There are several islands on the Persian Gulf with some being disputed among the Persian Gulf states. Some of the Islands in the Persian Gulf are Qeshm Island, Kish, Abu Musa, Hormuz Island, Kharg Island, Hengam Island, Larak Island, Lavan Island, Muharraq Island, Farsi Island, Bubiyan Island, Arabi Island, Das etc.
• Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait city, Manama, Bandar Abbas, and Khobar City are the major cities located in the Persian Gulf.
• In the Persian Gulf temperatures are usually high although winters may be quite cool. This is due to the fact that the gulf is close to the vast Arabian dessert.
• An unusual marine animal called the Dugong dugan is found in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
• The Persian Gulf is home to the kalbaensis which is a type of small to medium-sized, brightly colored bird that is nearing extinction.
• The name Persian Gulf itself is in dispute by several countries, in some countries it is called the Arabian Gulf.
• The water in Persian Gulf has long beautiful coral reefs which is a breeding ground for fishes, although due to pollution by oil companies the coral reefs, fishes and other aquatic animals living in the Persian Gulf are threatened.
• The Persian Gulf is home to over 700 species of fishes most of which are native to it.
• The world’s oldest known civilization developed along the Persian Gulf.
• Classical Greek writer Herodotus regarded by many historians as the father of history called the Persian Gulf the “red sea”.
• In Ancient Babylonian texts, it was referred to as “the sea above Akkad”.

Question: What is the surface area of the Persian Gulf?

Answer: The surface area of the Persian Gulf is 251,000km2

Question: Where is the single largest source of crude oil?

Answer: The Persian Gulf and its coastal areas are the world’s largest single source of crude oil. In 2002 the Persian Gulf nations produced about 25% of the world’s oil.

Question: How many species of fishes are found on the Persian Gulf?

Answer: There are over 700 species of fishes in the Persian Gulf

Question: What is the average and deepest part of the Persian Gulf?

Answer: The average depth of the Persian Gulf is 50m and the deepest depth is 90m

Question: Where does the Persian Gulf derive its name?

Answer: The Persian Gulf derive its name from the Ancient Persian Empire

Question: Name some of the Islands on the Persian Gulf

Answer: Some of the Islands on the Persian Gulf includes Qeshm Island, Kish, Abu Musa, Hormuz Island, Kharg Island, Hengam Island, Larak Island and Lavan Island.