Key Facts about Persian Gulf

About Persian Gulf

• It is part of the Indian Ocean. 
• It is located in Western Asia.
• It is an extension of the Gulf of Oman and connects to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Hormuz in the east.
• It is also referred to as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Iran. 
• It lies between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran to the southwest and northeast, respectively.
• It covers approximately 251,000 km², with a maximum depth of 90 meters and an average depth of 50 meters.
• It is bounded by several countries, including Iran to the north, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates on the peninsula, and Bahrain, Iraq, and Kuwait in the northwest. 
• Its western end is marked by the major river delta of the Shatt al-Arab, which carries the waters of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.
• It has a coastline length of about 5,117 km, with Iran having the longest coastline (1,536 km).
• Islands:
  • There are several islands in the Persian Gulf, including Bahrain, the Persian Gulf state. Bahrain comprises over 50 islands centered on the Bahrain Island.
  • Qeshm Island is the largest island in the Persian Gulf, covering approximately 1,491 km² (almost 2.5 times the size of Bahrain).

Q1) What is a Gulf?

The Gulf is a portion of the sea that is almost surrounded by land except one narrow opening. Gulfs are formed when a giant rock collapses or when a piece of land sinks. This causes a big indentation in the area, and the water eventually fills it up. Gulfs are also formed through a natural process of erosion.

Source:  China Adds Persian Gulf Oil Bookings as Red Sea Crisis Persists