Author: Pro. Hasan Bin Mohamed Bin Ali Al-Thani
Issued by Hasan Bin Mohamed Center for Historical Studies
The author followed the “three circles” framework to explain the historical and geographical distribution of the areas of the Gulf as they appeared on European maps. He presented an unprecedented cartographic concept that traces the shape of the Gulf from Ptolemy's map in the fifteenth century to the nautical survey maps. He also depicted the region as a scene of incidents in the Gulf and the struggles between foreign powers there.
- First circle: Gulf Entrance
- The Persian Side: it starts with Hormuz Island and its surroundings, Larak Island, Bandar Abbas, Qeshm, Bandar Laft, Hendorabi Island, Bandar Lengeh, Kish Island, Bandar Charak, Sheikh Shoeyb Island (Lawan Island), Bandar Asaluyeh, Siraf (Tahiri Port), and Kangan.
- The opposite Arabic side consists of Al-Sayr. It includes the coasts of what is known today as United Arab of Emirates. Those appear on the map as they were then named: Ras Al Khaimah (Julfar), Al Jazirah Al Hamra, Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
In this circle, the author adeptly provides us with information through historical narrative based on the geographical locations that appeared on the maps.
- Second circle: Gulf Head
This circle includes many locations on both eastern and western sides of the Gulf Head:
Bushire, Bandar Deylam, Kharg Island, Abadan, Basrah, Kuwait Port (Karmanos), and Failaka and Bubiyan Islands.
In this circle, the author provided us with information based on the geographical locations that appeared on the maps.
- Third circle: Central Gulf
This circle includes what was historically known as Eastern Arabia that contained many capital cities, the most important of them are Hajar, Al-Ahsa, Al-Qatif. For this reason, the Gulf was sometimes named after one of these names.
The author reviews the transition of influence from the interior to the coast and the formation of Sheikhdoms of the Gulf, where the region of Eastern Arabia emerged. This extends from the south of Kuwait, through Qatif and Ras Tanura, to Qatar Peninsula and Bahrain Island (Awal).
In this circle, Prof. Hassan Bin Mohamed provides us with historical information based on the geographical locations that appeared on the maps. These include the legendary ancient areas and cities such as Gerrha or Gerra, and other names such as Hajar, Al-Hasa, Al-Qatif, Darin. This region was also known as Eastern Arabia and included Qatar Peninsula and Bahrain Island.
The author drew on a number of travel books and reports of foreign sailors who visited and described the region. This allowed him to combine travel literature, geographical descriptions, and works of nautical surveys.
He presented a synthesis for understanding the change of names. He also explained the reasons behind the delay in conducting nautical survey for the Western coast of the Gulf, suggesting that large European ships could not approach it due to shallow waters, specially in the region of Qatar Peninsula that is surrounded by corals, which prevented collecting accurate information about the region.
This book is considered a nonpivotal contribution in rereading the history of the Gulf through the lens of European maps that carry knowledge dimensions exceeding optical documentation to political and economic analysis of the region.
The book allowed the author to combine geographical description and historical analysis within an accurate academic framework.
He also explained his readings through the maps he drew and prepared to bridge the gap of understanding between the past and the present.
It becomes evident, through this work, how Europeans’ knowledge of nautical geography has formed an entry to understand the importance of the Gulf for them. The study explains how a strategic location has helped in forming interaction with foreign powers.
This book provides the reader with a unique opportunity to examine a collection of ancient European maps, most of which are hard to access or find in traditional references. This makes the book a valuable optical and documental source in the eyes of researchers and those interested in the history of the Arabian Gulf.
What makes this work unique, besides its academic value, is the potential to present a reference material in an easy language and coherent methodology. This paves the way for new research in the historical geography of the Guld Basin and its States.
