[OSM-talk] Persian/Arabian Gulf Tagging

[Ebrahim Nejati]

Hello Joseph,

I didn't want to continue the arguing of what is the only correct
name. But since you mentioned it, I'd like to complete your points.


> But note that the population of Iran is larger than the population of all
> the other countries in the Arabian peninsula combined.

- Iran not only is the most populated country among gulf countries but
it has the largest exclusive economic zones and longest coastline.


> In most parts of the world this body of water is known as the Persian Gulf
> or an equivalent local term, since this was the historic name in all
> Arab-speaking countries until recently.

- The name Arabian/Arabic Gulf has only emerged from 1960. Actually
among 4000 historic maps, only in 3 was mentioned by that name and the
rest was named Persian Gulf.

- UN requested its staff to use *only* Persian Gulf as a standard
geographical designation.


So if someone thinks these reasons are not enough for the word "Persian
Gulf" to at least be _mentioned_ in name tagging, It's a bit radical.

Despite many, I believe countries can choose the name of their
surrounding geographical areas, even if it is historically,
internationally and legally incorrect but to enforce that as the only
name being used is something else.