The Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf is a body of water in the Middle East. It is shaped like a long bowl between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. The water is warm all year long. Many countries share this important gulf.

Rich With Oil

The Persian Gulf is famous for oil. A lot of the world's oil comes from under the gulf and the lands around it. Huge ships called tankers carry the oil to other countries. Places like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have grown into big modern cities because of oil money. Tall buildings and fancy hotels line the coast.

Hot and Salty

The Persian Gulf is one of the warmest seas in the world. In summer, the water can feel like a bathtub. Because it is shallow and hot, lots of water turns into vapor and floats away. This makes the gulf very salty. Some fish and sea turtles still manage to live in this salty water.

Fun Facts

• The Persian Gulf is about 600 miles long.
• Pearl diving was once a big job in the Persian Gulf.
• It connects to the ocean through the Strait of Hormuz.

Did You Know?

The world's tallest building, called the Burj Khalifa, stands in Dubai near the edge of the Persian Gulf.