Most islands are sparsely populated, with some being barren, and some utilized for communication, military, or as ship docks.
The artificial islands often serve as tourist resorts, housing developments, or hotels.
Despite their small sizes, some of these artificial islands have caused serious hazards for the already fragile ecosystem of the Gulf and its dwindling wildlife mass.
Recent globalization, and discovery of oil, has made some of the Persian Gulf islands very significant for developed nations as a source of oil and raw industrial material.
Recent wars, and political unrest has also made these islands strategic military locations for foreign powers from America and Europe.