This extremely timely and helpful ready reference will familiarize all students and readers with the Gulf region and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, and Qatar. These states are bound by the desert culture, the Gulf, new oil economy, and Islam, to name some commonalities. Most Americans know something about the region, such as oases, dates, camels, oil, Bedouin tribes, and the legends of Lawrence of Arabia to Osama bin Laden. Islamic concepts and practices are still unfamiliar. On one extreme, Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, has been largely closed off to Western tourists. On the other extreme, Dubai courts tourist dollars as it constructs modern architectural showcases. This is the first A-Z encyclopedia to focus on the Gulf, illuminating the land, people, religion, culture and traditions, institutions, economy, and much more for general readers. The more than 200 essay entries have a current focus with historical context as necessary.

The breadth of coverage means that this resource will be of use for a wide range of researchers and browsers. Besides individual entries on each state, major cities and regions are also profiled. The natural environment and human adaptation to it receives significant space. Islamic customs and rules and various interpretations are clearly explained. Essays on key public figures, institutions, major events, politics, and state structures and more also make this the first-choice resource for accurate information. Further reading accompanies per most entries. The contributors have mined sources often not available in English. A chronology, selected bibliography, and photos complement the text.

Entries include: BLArabian Gulf BLAramco BLBanking, Islamic BLBedouin Culture BLCamels BLCoffee, Arabic and Turkish BLCrime BLCultural Heritage BLCustomary Law BLDeath Rites BLDhofar Liberation Front BLDubai Media City BLDivorce BLEthnic Groups BLFaysal bin Abd al-Aziz BLFilm Industry BLFiqh BLGender and Gender Relations BL2003 Gulf War BLHolidays and Festivals, National BLIbadi Kharaji Islam BLIslamic Fundamentalism, Salafiyah BLLeague of Arab States BLMarkets, Traditional BLMuhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab BLOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) BLPearling BLSaudization BLSocial Organization, Tribal and Non-Tribal BLTravelers and Explorers BLWomen's Rights.