----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The use of the term depends on your cultural orientation. Iranians tend to refer to the Gulf as the Persian Gulf (ethnic Persians), whereas the other countries tend refer to it as the Arabian Gulf (all majority ethnic Arab states). US usage was determined by its foreign policy which used to have good relations with Iran and poor relations with the Arab states. One wonders if the usage would be changed if the Saudi's and Kuwaiti's lodged a diplomatic protest? NB this information is based on a conversation I had with a middle east policy expert at the US State Department, while I was a map librarian there about 3 years ago. Take it with a grain of salt. Quinn R. Koller [log in to unmask] Map Librarian GeoSystems Global Corp. ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Persian or Arabian Gulf ? Author: Maps and Air Photo Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]> at Internet Date: 25-09-96 4:14 PM ----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >----------------------------Original message---------------------------- >Hello, I find this question interesting and under the title of political >bias when it comes to map place names. There are many examples on world >and national maps of this bias. I think the name should be Persian Gulf >since that is the way it has been for awhile, and I know the British >starting using the name The Gulf 15 years ago. Some maps use both Persian >Gulf and Arabian Gulf. Ernie Woodson, SUNY Buffalo > The US Board on Geographic Names relies heavily on local usage when deciding on the official name of a feature. My understanding is that people in the "Persian Gulf" area refer to that body of water as "Arabian Gulf," this coming from an Iranian student of mine. We as Americans have the habit of imposing our ways on the rest of the world. This simple name is an example. The name should be Arabian Gulf because that is what the people in that area call it. Paul Larson _________________________________ Paul R. Larson. Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Geography Physical Science Department Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah 84720 tel: (801) 865-8244 fax: (801) 865-8051 E-mail: [log in to unmask] __________________________________