Bahrain

Bahrain
A sheikhdom in the Arabian Gulf.

Physical.

Bahrain consists of a group of islands some 32 km (20 miles) off the Arabian coast. The largest island is some 16 km (10 miles) wide and three times as long.

Economy.

The country's exports are dominated by crude oil and petroleum products from a large oil refinery on Bahrain Island. There is also a growing banking and communications sector. Shipbuilding and repair in dry docks are also significant. Medical care is free, as is schooling to technical college level.

History.

Iran, which ruled Bahrain from 1602 to 1783 , was expelled by the al-Khalifas, who still reign. British political control dates from 1820 . Oil was discovered in 1932 , when the Bahrain National Oil Company was formed. After the withdrawal of Britain in 1971 and the abandonment by Iran of its...

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