Question

Which among the following countries has a coast along the Persian Gulf? i Omua ii The UAE iii Qatar iv. Bahrain v. Yemen

• A. Only i, ii, iii & iv
• B. Only ii, iii, iv & v
• C. Only i, ii, iii & v
• D. All the above

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Only i, ii, iii & iv

Understanding the Persian Gulf and its Littoral States

• The Persian Gulf, also known as the Arabian Gulf, is a vital arm of the Arabian Sea (Indian Ocean) located in Southwest Asia, bordered by Iran to the northeast and the Arabian Peninsula to the southwest.
• It is a crucial body of water for global crude oil transportation, making it one of the most strategically important waterways in the world.
• The Strait of Hormuz serves as the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean (Arabian Sea and beyond), making it a significant choke point.

Countries with Coastlines on the Persian Gulf

• The primary countries with direct coastlines along the Persian Gulf include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Oman also has a strategic presence through its Musandam Peninsula, which lies at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Strait of Hormuz and thus the entry to the Persian Gulf. While its main coastline is on the Gulf of Oman, the Musandam exclave's proximity and strategic location often lead to its inclusion in discussions about Persian Gulf littoral states in competitive exams.

Specific Countries Mentioned in the Question

• i. Oman
  • Oman's main coastline is along the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. However, its Musandam Governorate is an exclave separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE.
  • This exclave forms the southern shore of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entry to the Persian Gulf, thus giving Oman a direct, albeit separate, coast along the crucial gateway to the Gulf.
  • Its capital is Muscat.
• ii. The UAE (United Arab Emirates)
  • The UAE has an extensive coastline along the southern part of the Persian Gulf.
  • It is a federation of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital.
  • Major cities like Dubai and Sharjah are located on its Persian Gulf coast.
  • The UAE is a significant global hub for trade, finance, and tourism, largely fueled by its oil and natural gas reserves.
• iii. Qatar
  • Qatar is a peninsula nation extending into the Persian Gulf, almost entirely surrounded by its waters, except for its southern border with Saudi Arabia.
  • Its capital is Doha.
  • Qatar is one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • It hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the first Arab nation to do so.
• iv. Bahrain
  • Bahrain is an island nation located in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia.
  • Its capital is Manama.
  • It is the smallest Arab state in terms of land area and is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway.
  • Historically known for its pearl diving industry, Bahrain is now a significant financial hub in the region.
• v. Yemen
  • Yemen is located in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Its coastlines are along the Red Sea to the west and the Arabian Sea (specifically the Gulf of Aden) to the south.
  • Yemen does not have a coastline along the Persian Gulf.
  • Its capital is Sana'a.