Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi academics present new Atlas on the Gulf Region

Abu Dhabi, March 29, 2012 (WAM) - Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi announces the unveiling of the Atlas of the Gulf Countries through a lecture entitled The Arab Gulf Behind the Stereotypes, on Sunday, 1 April 2012, 5pm at the (ADIBF2012) Abu Dhabi International Book Fair "discussion sofa". The authors, Prof. Philippe Cadene, Professor of Geography, and Dr. Brigitte Dumortier, Head of the Department of Geography and Planning, both faculty members of Sorbonne Abu Dhabi will be present and speaking at this occasion. Published by the Sorbonne University Press (PUPS) publishing house, and co-published by Radio France Internationale (RFI), this atlas aims to redress preconceived notions about the Gulf countries. Prompted by a lack of proper information or publications in France about this region, the atlas portrays the contemporary realities of the Gulf nations by depicting their cultural distinctiveness, complexities and contradictions as a means of understanding the region and its society. The publication renders the countries as highly diversified by not confining them as only oil producers but also as major stakeholders in the era of globalisation. Anchored by a dual heritage, Bedouin and maritime, the Gulf urban areas anticipate the "City of the Future" through various aspects. A culmination of research, analysis and interviews spanning three years, the publication of the atlas was in the frame of a research programme involving professional and technical skills of selected geographers, urban planners, political scientists, economic scientists, and legal advisors. Available for purchase at the Sorbonne University Press (PUPS) stand in the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2012, the atlas employs a comparative approach and includes substantial material including demographic, social, and economic data in a rich mix of thematic maps and text. The atlas analyses the old, complex and changing relations between the two shores of the Gulf, and explains to what extent the current dynamics induce territorial reorganisation and social change. A variety of themes are documented like population, water resources and oil, as well as development indicators such as trade, urbanisation, and education. The English version of the atlas is expected to be released later in 2012 and preparation is underway to publish an Arabic version early next year. In addition to launching the Atlas as part of its initiatives during the Abu Dhabi Book Fair, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is participating in other sessions both in the Professional and Cultural Programmes. The professional one will include a round table on Effective Marketing and Expanding Markets (28 March), and on Creating Edutaining Content on the Fields of Non-Fiction (29 March), while the Cultural Programme includes a round table on Celebrating the centenary of Emile Durkheim's Masterpiece (2 April). Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a prestigious higher education institution that offers Social Science and Art, Law and Economics, and Business Management disciplines. - Emirates News Agency, WAM