Introduction

INTRODUCTION

Bahrain or Bahrein, independent kingdom in the Middle East, comprising an archipelago of 33 islands in the southern Persian Gulf, between the Qatar Peninsula on the east and the coast of Saudi Arabia on the west, one of the Persian Gulf states. It has a total area of 707 sq km (273 sq mi). The principal islands include Bahrain (area, 562 sq km/217 sq mi), by far the largest island; Al Muḩarraq; Umm an Na’san; Sitrah; Jiddhafs; and the Ḩawar group. Manama is Bahrain’s capital and largest city. Bahrain was under British control from 1861 to 1971, when it gained its independence.