Persian Gulf - Geography.

Persian Gulf - Geography. Persian Gulf, arm of the Arabian Sea, southwestern Asia, between the Arabian Peninsula on the southwest and Iran on the northeast. The gulf extends northwest 970 km (600 mi) from the Strait of Hormuz to the Shatt al Arab, a river formed by the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The gulf is connected to the Arabian Sea by the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The Persian Gulf varies in width from 47 to 370 km (29 to 230 mi). The area is 230,000 sq km (89,000 sq mi) and the greatest depth is 102 m (335 ft). The chief islands in the gulf are Qeshm (belonging to Iran) and the island nation of Bahrain. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait are on the south and southwestern shores; Iraq is on the northern tip; Iran is on the northeastern shore; and the northern tip of Oman is to the east. The Iranian shore of the Persian Gulf is largely mountainous and fringed with cliffs. Sandy beaches line the Arabian shore, which is broken by many small islands and lagoons. Large banks of pearl-producing mollusks are found off the Arabian coast. Spectacular cliffs rise from the shore around the Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz at the southeastern end of the gulf. The Tigris, Euphrates, and K?r ?n rivers deposit large amounts of silt as they empty into the gulf in the northwest. The Persian Gulf region is known for its high temperatures, uncomfortable humidity, and low rainfall. The Persian Gulf and its surrounding countries contain about 66 percent of the world's proven reserves of oil and about 36 percent of total natural gas reserves (2000 estimate). New reserves are still being discovered, both on land and offshore. Large amounts of oil are refined in the area, and oil tankers carry oil from marine terminals to all parts of the world. Major offshore oil fields include Safaniyah (belonging to Saudi Arabia), the largest offshore oil field in the world; and Khafji and Hout, divided between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Principal offshore gas fields include the North Field (Qatar), the largest gas field in the world; Dorra (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait); and South Pars (Iran). In 2000 the Persian Gulf region produced almost 29 percent of the world's oil. The principal ports on the Persian Gulf include Kuwait, in Kuwait; Ad Damm? m and Al Jubayl, in Saudi Arabia; B? shehr, in Iran; and M?n ?' Salm?n, near Manama, in Bahrain. Major oil spills in 1983, during the Iran-Iraq War, and in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, have adversely affected the gulf environment, as has oil pollution from routine tanker operations. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.