Persian Gulf states : country studies / Foreign Area Studies, the American University ; edited by Richard F. Nyrop.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 493-519) and index.

Chapter 1 . Historical Setting - PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA - The Civilizations of Prehistoric - Arabia-Ancient Seafaring in the Gulf - Pre-Islamic Internal History -The Arabian Social Structure – ISLAM : EMERGENCE AND DEVELOPMENT - Conversion in the Gulf - Tenets of Islam - The Gulf During the Medieval Period - Internal Organization - The Early Period - The Ibadi Movement - THE ENTRANCE OF THE EUROPEANS INTO THE GULF - The Portuguese - Dutch and English Involvement - Piracy-THE FOUNDING OF THE MODERN GULF POLITIES : GULF STATES IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES - The Wahhabi Movement - Internal Migrations and Political Developments – The Trucial Coast : The Qawasim and the Bani Yas - Developments in Oman - THE TWENTIETH CENTURY - British Governmental Transition - Gulf Development Before Independence - Internal Developments in Oman - THE NEW AGE: CHANGING PATTERNS IN THE RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS - Foreign Workers - Settlement Patterns - The Family - Marriage and Divorce – Women - SOCIAL SYSTEMS OF THE GULF COUNTRIES – Kuwait – Bahrain – Qatar - United Arab Emirates – Oman -- Chapter 2. Kuwait - GEOGRAPHY–POPULATION–EDUCATION-Development of Education - The Educational System - HEALTH AND WELFARE - THE ECONOMY - The Oil Industry - Role of Government - Labor Force – Agriculture – Industry – Finance - Foreign Trade and Balance of payments - THE POLITICAL SYSTEM–The Constitutional Monarchy - Politics and the Social Order – FOREIGNTION RELATIONS -- Chapter 3. Bahrain GEOGRAPHIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC SETTING – Climate – Population - Work Force – Education – Health - Social Security - THE ECONOMY – Agriculture - Petroleum Industry - Other Industry - Banking and Finance – Budget - Foreign Trade and the Balance of Payments - GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - The Constitutional Experiment - Workers' Representation - Legal System - FOREIGN RELATIONS -- Chapter 4. Qatar GEOGRAPHY – POPULATION - EDUCATION AND WELFARE - THE ECONOMY - Oil and Natural Gas - Industry - Agriculture and Fishing – Budget – Money and Banking – Trade and Balance of Payments - POLITICAL DYNAMICS - The Ruling Family and the Succession of Shaykh Khalifah bin Hamad Al Thani - Government Process and Constitution - Domestic Political Problems - FOREIGN RELATIONS -- Chapter 5. United Arab Emirates - GEOGRAPHY-EDUCATION AND HEALTH - THE ECONOMY - Oil Industry - Role of Government - Industrialization and Other Development Activities - Farming and Fishing - Money and Banking - Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments - GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - Constitutional Framework - The Ruling Families - Progress in Political Integration - Polities and Society - FOREIGN RELATIONS -- Chapter 6. Oman – GEOGRAPIHY – POPULATION - EDUCATION – HEALTH AND MEDECAL FACILITIES - ECONOMY – Agriculture – Fisheries – Industry - Oil Industry – Other Mineral Resources - Water and Power – Tourism - Public Finance - Money, Credit, and Prices - Foreign Trade and Balance of Payments – GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS - Government Institutions - Political Dynamics - FOREIGN RELATIONS - Regional Relations - The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen - Relations with the United States – Relations with the United States – Relations with Other Countries -- Chapter 7. REGIONAL and National Security Considerations - REGIONAL PROBLEMS - Impact of the Iran-Iraq War - Vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz - Disputes and Perceived Threats - MILITARY ASPECTS OF THE GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL – KUWAIT - Background - External and Internal Threats - Organization and Mission of the Forces – BAHRAIN – QATAR – UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Background - Independence and Unification - Organization of Forces – OMAN – Background - Rebellion and Coup - Organization and Missions of Forces.