Persian Gulf : Renamed
The US President Donald Trump plans to officially rename the ‘Persian Gulf’ as the ‘Arabian Gulf’ during a visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the preferences of Arab Gulf nations.
- The term ‘Persian Gulf’ has been used consistently since the 16th century, widely recognised in historical records, international treaties, and cartographic references.
- Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, prefer the term ‘Arabian Gulf’, using it in their national maps and documents.
- In 2012, Iran threatened to sue Google for not labelling the water body on its maps, asserting its historical naming rights.
- The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean, located in Western Asia, and is a vital geopolitical chokepoint.
- It is connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic maritime passages for global oil shipments.
- It spans ~251,000 km², with an average depth of 50 meters and maximum depth of 90 meters.
- The coastline stretches ~5,117 km, with Iran having the longest stretch (~1,536 km).
