a large inland sea in the S. of Asia, forming an inlet of the Indian Ocean, and lying between 24. and 30. N. Lat., and between 48. and 57. E. Long. Its form is that of a curve, having the convex side to the S.W.; the northern and north-eastern shores being bounded by Persia, and the western and southern by Arabia. It is entered from the ocean by the strait of Ormuz; and its greatest length from N.W. to S.E. is about 560 miles; its breadth varies from 40 to 200, but it is on an average about 160; and its entire area is estimated at 70,000 square miles. There are several islands scattered about in this gulf, which have an aggregate area of 1400 square miles. The shores of the Persian Gulf are the most arid and barren that can possibly be imagined. They generally consist of extensive sandy expanses, with hardly a blade of grass to relieve the monotony of the view, and the glare of the sand in the sun. The climate of the gulf for five months of the year is extremely hot, almost intolerable; and the thermometer stands probably higher in these regions than in any other place we are acquainted with. The Persian shores of the gulf are skirted by a range of mountains about 3000 feet high, from 3 to 30 miles distant from the sea; and though there are numerous small indentations on both coasts, the only bay of any size is that of Es-Elwak, on the coast of Arabia. The navigation is dangerous, on account of the shoals and reefs with which it abounds, especially on the Arabian coast, where large vessels can hardly approach near the land. The only rivers of any size that fall into the gulf are the Euphrates and Tigris, which unite to form the Shat-el-Arab, a river which falls into the north-western extremity of the gulf, about 70 miles below Bussorah. The tides in the Persian Gulf are much lower than those in the Red Sea; owing partly probably to the influence of the great rivers Euphrates and Tigris, and partly to the... shape of the gulf. The prevailing wind in the gulf is from the N.W. during the greater part of the year; but in the months of November, December, and January southerly breezes blow with considerable regularity, especially in the strait of Ormuz. The currents on the outside of the strait generally follow the direction of the wind; but in the gulf there is one that sets westward along the Persian shore. The shores of the gulf abound in fish, which, along with dates, almost the only produce of the surrounding country, form the chief articles of food to the inhabitants. These are not, however, sufficient to supply the wants of the people, and food has to be imported. The most of the inhabitants derive their means of sustenance from the fisheries of the pearls, for which this gulf is so famous. On the banks near the island of Bahrein, on the Arabian coast, these are found in the most abundance; but they are obtained in greater or less quantities throughout the whole of the western and southern shores. During the month of June, when the weather is somewhat cool, the fishing is carried on in the shallow water along the coast; but it is only in the intense heat which prevails in July, August, and the beginning of September, that the Bahrein banks, where the water is much deeper, are frequented, the divers being much inconvenienced when the water is cold. In diving, they have their nostrils compressed with a small piece of horn, and their ears stuffed with wax, to keep out the water; and with a net for oysters attached to their waists, a rope which they hold, and a stone to aid their descent, they go down, and remain for about two minutes under the water, shaking the rope when they wish to be drawn up. In favourable weather they sometimes dive twelve or fifteen times in a day; and the work, though exhausting at the time, is not considered to be injurious to the constitution. The annual value of the fisheries at Bahrein alone has been estimated to be from L200,000 to L240,000, though some of the merchants state it at a much greater sum; and the value of the whole pearl trade of the gulf is about L300,000. The number of boats at Bahrein, containing generally ten men each, is about 1500. The larger shells are preserved for the sake of their lining of mother-of-pearl; but the oysters are never used for food, even in a country of such scarcity.

The trade of the Persian Gulf, which seems to have been carried on so early as the time of Alexander, is very considerable; the port of Bussorah, on the Shat-el-Arab, and that of Bushire, on the Persian coast, being the principal inlets for the produce of India and the East into Turkey and Persia respectively. The scheme for the steam navigation of the Euphrates would, if successful, make this the principal route to India; but the route by the Red Sea and Egypt, as in ancient times, presents many advantages over the other. The Arabian shores of this sea were for a long time infested with pirates; but the Jawasimi, the most daring of these, have been reduced to order by two British expeditions from Bombay in 1809 and 1819. The principal islands in the gulf, besides Bahrein, Ormuz, and Kishm, which are described in separate articles, are—Busheab, near the northern shore, containing about 40 square miles, with a small town and harbour; Kaes or Kenn, off the same shore, also containing a small town and harbour; and Karej or Kharrack, a lofty island, nearly surrounded with reefs. The whole of the shores of the Persian Gulf, though belonging partly to Persia, are inhabited by Arabs; who extend on the N. as far inland as the mountains. Nearly all this country is subject to the Imam of Muscat, who pays an annual rent to the Persian monarch.