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Content: The only natural resources are the oil and gas found on and off-shore, though pearling was once important to its economy. As can be seen in this photograph, the peninsula is protected by relatively shallow reefs. Incidentally, the official name of the Gulf is the ‘Persian Gulf’, however, on the Arabian peninsula it is virtually always known as the ‘Arabian Gulf’. Here I will attempt to call it either the ‘Gulf’, or the ‘Persian/Arabian Gulf’. It will probably make nobody happy. go to top of page
Land and soil characteristics of the country
There is a common perception that the surfaces of the countries of the Gulf are comprised of materials in which plants will not grow. In more general terms, it is perceived that the Gulf is a desert and many believe the area similar to the ruba’a al khaliof Saudi Arabia into which the sand dunes of Qatar move slowly. The first photograph here is of typical dunes west of al-Wukair. To many this is what is thought of when they think of the desert. The second photograph, taken under slightly different lighting conditions, illustrates how the dunes sit on the limestone surface of the peninsula, slowly moving under the force of the prevailing winds until they coalesce into the continuous forms seen in the first photograph.