|RNature and climate:|N Some 30 islands in the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The islands are low. Highest point above sea level 122 m.
Dry and hot climate. Average temperature in January 17°C and in July 33°C. Percipitation below 100 mm.
|RPeople:|N Mostly Arabs with big minorities of Asians and Europeans.
|REconomy:|N Oil was discovered in 1931 and has since then dominated the economy. Vast ventures are made to decrease the dependence on oil. Aluminum meltingplants has been built as well as shipyards for repair of large vessels.
Other industries are also built to occupy the population and give incomes when oil runs out, which is supposed to happen before the end of the century.
Extensive attempts have been made with agriculture to reach self-sufficiency.
|RHistory:|N Bahrain was populated during the Stone Age. Archeological excavations have revealed finds from the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
1507 - 1622 a Portuguese colony and after that under Persia. From 1782 sheikdom under the still reigning Khalifa-family.
