Lower Persian Gulf, Political (detailed)

Political map of the Lower Persian Gulf: Iran on the north shore; UAE (emirates colour-coded), Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman/Musandam to the south and west. Overlays mark 12-nm territorial seas, 200-nm EEZ arcs, alternative and disputed lines, jointly administered zones, and traffic separation lanes. Islands and shoals are ringed by circular jurisdiction markers; the Strait of Hormuz carries multilane routing. Red clusters highlight coastal cities and ports. Annotation panels summarise island sovereignty, maritime boundary disputes (e.g., UAE–Saudi Arabia, Qatar–Bahrain), and administrative notes. The sheet is Prof. Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady’s “Lower Persian Gulf: Political (detailed).”

Source sheet: Lower Persian Gulf: Political (detailed) — Author: Dr M. Izady

Abstract

Using only the annotation panels and legend, this essay summarizes the map’s treatment of political geography across the lower Gulf: administrative divisions, boundary disputes, maritime jurisdictions, jointly administered zones, and traffic separation schemes. No information beyond the atlas page is introduced, preserving accessibility and SEO integrity.

1. Scope and Observations

The notes compare opposing shores—Iran to the north; the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman (including Musandam) to the south and west. The sheet highlights 12-nautical-mile territorial seas, 200-nautical-mile EEZ constructs, traffic separation schemes, and circular jurisdiction rings around islands and shoals. Text boxes signal whether boundary lines are agreed, alternative interpretations, or claims not mutually recognized.

2. Administrative Structure and the UAE

The commentary reiterates that the United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah—each colour-coded separately. The Fujairah/Khor Fakkan frontage on the Gulf of Oman, opposite Musandam, and the linkage of sea lanes to port approaches are underscored.

3. Boundary Disputes (as noted on the map)

Iran–UAE islands: callouts use formulations like “administered by…; claimed by…,” with multiple median-line variants around small islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar–Bahrain: fasht/shoal environments and islets show alternative maritime delimitations and references to adjudication strands outlined in the panels.
UAE–Saudi Arabia: text boxes cite dated alternative lines on land and offshore, including the Al-Buraymi/Buraimi context and coastal extensions.
Oman–UAE / Musandam: layered offshore lines and notes indicate temporary/joint arrangements and navigation-safety considerations.

4. Maritime Jurisdictions and Navigation

The legend renders 12-nm territorial seas and 200-nm EEZ arcs as circles and semi-circles; opposing coasts show equidistance-style lines in alternative variants. Jointly administered or jointly envisioned zones appear with distinct hatching. The Strait of Hormuz is dense with traffic separation schemes tied to major port entrances.

5. Coastal Settlements and Port System

Red settlement fills mark port conurbations—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah/Khor Fakkan, Doha, and the Bahrain archipelago. Annotation emphasizes how settlement density aligns with sea-lane access and safety corridors around banks such as Great Pearl Bank.

6. Legend and Symbology (SEO terms)

International borders and emirate-level administrative boundaries.
12-nm territorial seas and 200-nm Exclusive Economic Zones.
Disputed/overlapping claims, unrecognized claims, alternative lines.
Joint or temporary regimes and shared administration zones.
Traffic separation schemes, port approaches, Great Pearl Bank and other banks/shoals.

Attribution: Content derived solely from the map text/legend. Cartography by Prof. Dr. Mehrdad R. Izady (Gulf2000 / Columbia University).