OMAN, GULF OF

northwest arm of the Arabian Sea, between the eastern portion (Oman) of the Arabian Peninsula to the southwest and Iran to the north. The gulf is 200 miles (320 km) wide between Cape al-Hadd in Oman and Gwadar Bay on the PakistanIran border. It is 350 miles (560 km) long and connects with the Persian Gulf to the northwest through the Strait of Hormuz. The small ports along the gulf include Suhar, al-Khaburah, Muscat, and Sur, in Oman, and Jask and Bandar Beheshti (formerly Chah Bahar), in Iran. Some fishing is carried on, but the gulf's main importance is as a shipping route for the oil-producing area around the Persian Gulf. The Gulf of Oman offers the only entrance from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean into the Persian Gulf. The world's major oil exporters and importers have a joint interest in its security. History This discussion focuses on Oman since the 18th century. For a treatment of earlier periods and of the country in its regional context, see Arabia, history of. The early period Three principal themes highlight Omani history: the tribal nature of its society, the traditional Ibadite imamate form of government, and its maritime tradition. Archaeological evidence of civilization in Oman dates to about the 3rd millennium BC, but Persian colonization prior to the 1st century AD established the falaj irrigation system, which has since sustained Omani agriculture and civilization. The history of the Dhofar region followed a separate path. Ancient South Arabian kingdoms controlled the production of frankincense there from the 1st century AD. The province thus remained culturally and politically linked to South Arabia until it was absorbed into the Al Bu Sa'id state in the 19th century.