Since my company does a lot of work in THE Gulf region (you know the one where the US is always meddling in), I wanted to make sure I got the names correct of the countries that we do most of our business with. So I did a search for the Arabic Gulf since that is what most of the countries on the Arabic Peninsula call it and I find this mock 404 page. Which basically says that the Arabic Gulf doesn’t exist and that you should try looking for the Persian Gulf, as well as suggesting that you really need to read history books. There is also a link to a site called Legofish (which makes me wonder if a certain toy company in Denmark will be very happy to know that this guy uses their trademark), which apparently discusses that the mock 404 page was created as a Google Bomb because Iranian bloggers weren’t happy with National Geographic using the name Arabic Gulf instead of Persian Gulf. So it makes me wonder what is so damned important about a name?
Here’s my reasoning on this and not in any particular order:
- Everyone on the other side of this body of water usually prefer to refer to it as the Arabic Gulf.
- Although at one time the Persians were a very powerful people in the area around this body of water, how many people living in the area are still Persian.
- If my history is correct the Persians were led by the Shah who was ousted when the people of Iran decided to follow the religion of the Arabic people.
Since no one can really decide which is the proper name for this body of water I have a suggestion that should please everyone. How about we call it the “Black Gold Gulf” or “Oil Gulf” or “Gulf of Oil Tankers”.
14May08 at 12:29:50
And now that the comments are starting to repeat each other I’ll stop the commenting now.
All I have to say is that although I agree that the body of water between Iran and the Arabic peninsula has always been and always will be officially the Persian Gulf, I think that maybe many people in this world have forgotten what is more important. That we actually find a way to over come our differences instead of actually enhancing them.
This post is locked.
14May08 at 09:28:01
we have the great ducuments from 5000 years ago that the name of this eara is Persian Golf so it is everlesting Persian Golf .
13May08 at 15:34:29
Just wanted to say: Persian Gulf for EVER!
9May08 at 17:38:31
I dont know why some one say arabic gulf .in all histories wrote persian gulf and know after thousands yaers some one say its arabic gulf not persian gulf ??!!!!
we have problem on the name because its not just one name its to many islands a lot of oil and a lot of fish so we have problem with arabic gulf .
5May08 at 08:32:59
Wow I would have figured this topic would finally bore people and they would stop posting here. I guess I was wrong.
@Wealthy: I’ll not sink myself to your level thank you. Only two words “Grow Up.”
@Hamid: Thank you for your contribution. I agree with your comments completely. Technically and legally it will always remain the Persian Gulf. However, can you understand my annoyance when I must travel to that part of the world and must watch my speech as to how I refer to the body of water in question depending on where I’m currently located?
@MEHDI: Yes I know that.
4May08 at 20:28:54
PERSIAN GULF SHOULD BE PERSIAN GULF FOR EVER
4May08 at 14:26:43
For more informatıon:
Since the 1960s with the rise of Arab nationalism (Pan-Arabism), starting with “GAMAL ABDOL NASSER’S” Arab Republic of Egypt, some Arab countries, including the ones bordering the Persian Gulf, have adopted the term “Arabian Gulf” to refer to the waterway. This is controversial and not commonly used outside of the Arab world, nor is it recognized by the United Nations and other international organizations. The United Nations on many occasions has requested that only “Persian Gulf” be used as the official and standard geographical designation for the body of water.
“Arabian Gulf” is also an ancient name for the “Red Sea”. Hecataeus (472 to 509 B.C.) can be stated where Persian Gulf and Arabian Gulf (Red Sea) have been clearly shown. Also a map has remained from Herodotus, the great Greek historian (425-484 B.C.) which introduces Red Sea as the Arabian Gulf.
4May08 at 13:50:51
Hey Jr… I agree with u; the names are not so important. So I want to call u Motherfucker….. it is not important at all
2May08 at 12:30:17
Persian gulf will remain Persian Gulf for ever.
it’s not true to think that todays political or economical situation of Persian government can alter it’s name.because it’s just a short section of history that we live now.
it has been name Persian golf for over 5000 years and Arabian civilization isn’t more than 1500 years. so how they think that they can change history in today’s world?????
25Apr08 at 09:51:58
That name was persian golf since of the pesian was powerful people in the world and now it name is persian golf.
18Apr08 at 20:02:04
Wow,
It seems I’ve really touched a nerve out there concerning the Persian Gulf region.
It was never my intention to forget about history. I am quite sure that it has been called the Persian Gulf since the time that the Persians were “THE” world power.
My intention was to cause people to think if it really makes sense to argue about something so unimportant as a name for a body of water as compared to many other problems in the world.
I do thank everyone for their comments both negative and positive.
16Apr08 at 10:40:30
Just because Iran is not as great of a country as it used to be centuries ago does not give you the right to suggest that the name probably should be called persian gulf anymore!!! History is a part of each and every one’s nation/country. And although we never should hang on to what it was in past and be blind for what’s in today…still doesn’t mean we should forget the past!!!!
12Apr08 at 07:48:48
we have the great ducuments from 5thousand years ago that the name of this eara is persian golf so it is everlesting persian golf
18Mar08 at 07:33:28
Thank you for your constructive criticism.
Actually I wouldn’t really call my article nationalistic, but mocking. However, maybe you are right to say that I was a little off calling it the “Oil Gulf “.
My disrespect is over the arguments about a name for a body of water. Why do one group call it Arabic and the other Persian? I use a mocking tone to make people think if it is really worth arguing about in the first place with so many other truly important problems in the world that needs solving.
By the way I graduated in high school and have spent several years traveling the world. I’m much more open minded than most Americans you might meet.
18Mar08 at 03:07:10
Like your “article” here wasn’t immature? I’m sorry to see that this country still have so many people dropping off from highschool.
Calling the gulf “Oil Gulf” just shows why there are so many terrorist attacks nowadays. No wonder with disrespectful people like you writing articles belonging in a nationalist magazine. Next time please try to have some more respect when “naming” something.
Or better up.. Stop writing shitty articles.
/Richard Mireton
9Mar08 at 22:06:31
My company builds communications systems for ships. Thus the reason I’m down there a lot.
As for your retort all I have to say is that you sound extremely immature and maybe you should grow up a bit before you try to make such comments.
9Mar08 at 01:55:01
What is your job?
You can keep your suggestions for yourself. Or sent them to your mother.