Merchant and cargo ships, United Arab Emirates, 1974

Arabia Felix, known as the fortunate, has been a legendary region since classical times. Its strategic location by the Gulf facilitated the rise of the Sumerian Empire and attracted invasions from Persia, Greece, and Rome. The region's geography, with its desert and fresh water springs, supported trade and small towns. The discovery of major oil reserves transformed the area, leading to rapid development and modernization across the Arabian Peninsula, from Oman to Bahrain.

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