This volume investigates the historical, political, and social structures of the nations bordering the Persian Gulf to provide a comprehensive baseline for regional analysis. Edited by Helen Chapin Metz, this work compiles research from the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. It utilizes a multi-disciplinary framework to examine the internal dynamics and external pressures shaping the development of these specific sovereign states.

Experts and researchers frequently cite this series as a foundational reference for understanding the geopolitical landscape of the Persian Gulf region. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which is designed for students and policy analysts requiring a structured overview of regional history and governance.