As the waters of the Gulf are relatively shallow with an average at about 35 metres, it can be assumed that prior to 14, 000 years ago this now submerged area was an open landscape with a supply of fresh water from Euphrates and Tigris.

UNESCO: Underwater Cultural Heritage

The vast area of waters, dotted with partially submerged atolls and reefs, contain some of the world's busiest shipping lanes and are thought to hold large deposits of oil and natural gas.

CNN: China blames Vietnam for rising tensions over disputed sea

More than 500 Palestinians have been injured and more than 400 homes submerged by floodwater this week from a storm that struck the West Bank area, Palestinian media reported.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Groups such as the RSPB and WWF say that if the Cardiff-Weston project went ahead, much of this vital feeding area that currently supports tens of thousands of migrating and wintering birds would be permanently submerged.

BBC: The ebb and flow of tidal power