National Geographic updates map in the wake of Iranian protests

National Geographic institute deleted the name ?Arabian Gulf? in its latest world atlas that had riled the Iranians in the entire world two days before the year 2005 began.

National Geographic, a well-known research center on geography, has explained on its latest measure, ?The name primarily used for this gulf throughout history has been The Persian Gulf, even though some call it The Arabian Gulf.?

In its new atlas, the islands Kish and Lavan retain their Iranian names, and the word ?occupied? previously used for three Iranian islands is deleted. Now National Geographic search engine on the internet warns that ?Arabian Gulf? is not found.

On its official web site, National Geographic has announced that the new changes in its atlas including the deleting of a parenthetical aside on a map have been done in the wake of consulting government officials, academics, and some organizations.

In its latest world atlas, National Geographic added the name "Arabian Gulf" in parentheses beneath "Persian Gulf" on a map to label the body of water that cuts along the coasts of Iran and its Arab neighbors. At first National geographic remained unapologetic despite protests from the Iranians all over the world. Allen Carroll, chief cartographer on the publication?s web site, said, ?We want people searching for 'Arabian Gulf' to be able to find what they're looking for and not confuse it with the nearby Arabian Sea.?

Reacting to the National Geographic measure in its latest world atlas, the Iranian computer techies pulled off a ?Google bomb?. The first link anybody typing ?Arabian Gulf? on the Internet got was to a web site that announced, ?The gulf you are looking for does not exist. Try Persian Gulf.?

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, Hamid-reza Asefi, had said before that the National Geographic president has apologized for this institute?s mistake in the historical name of Persian Gulf and announced its readiness to compensate for it.