Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Arabian Peninsula comprises seven sovereign states plus portions of two others—not solely Saudi Arabia, though the Kingdom occupies ~80% of the land area.
| Country | Area (km²) | % of Peninsula | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | 2,150,000 | ~80% | Riyadh |
| Yemen | 528,000 | ~19% | Sana'a |
| Oman | 309,500 | ~11% | Muscat |
| United Arab Emirates | 83,600 | ~3% | Abu Dhabi |
| Kuwait | 17,800 | ~0.7% | Kuwait City |
| Qatar | 11,600 | ~0.4% | Doha |
| Bahrain | 780 | ~0.03% | Manama |
| Iraq (southern) | ~50,000 | ~2% | Basra (major city) |
| Jordan (southern) | ~10,000 | ~0.4% | Aqaba (port city) |
The peninsula controls ~50% of world proven oil reserves and ~40% of gas, the Strait of Hormuz (UAE/Oman/Iran), Bab el-Mandeb (Yemen/Djibouti/Eritrea), and Islam's two holiest cities (Mecca, Medina in Saudi Arabia). Understanding its multi-state reality is essential for energy, security, and religious geopolitics.