The Effects of Climate of the Persian Gulf in the Formation and Development of Ancient Civilizations of South and South-West Regions of Iran

Historical and archaeological sources confirm that Persian Gulf has played an important role in the course of human events and civilization. Due to its special geographical location, its being located on the crossroad of great civilizations, and its abundant natural resources, Persian Gulf had been of great significance to the Plateau of Iran from economic, cultural and political viewpoints, and its ports have played an important role in international trade between East and West. By combining quantitative and qualitative methods, this study aims at examining the role of Persian Gulf climatic on the formation and development of civilizations in this area. The results showed that the relative position of Persian Gulf has provided specific environmental conditions in terms of climate in the southern half of the country. This expanse of water has had its impacts on its northern areas, locally and regionally. Climatic, strategic, and geopolitical conditions of Persian Gulf have affected the formation and development of civilizations in south, south-western, and western Iran. Due to the unique characteristics of this sea, civilizations of Elam, Sumer and Babylonia in the third millennium BC created Persian Gulf and surrounding area's maritime trade triangle. Nowadays, the development of the northern Persian Gulf region is indebted to this civilizational background.