Bahrain

Overview

The archipelago of Bahrain consists of 33 islands and is considered a perfect and gentle introduction to the Persian gulf. In the same manner as many thousands of years ago when it was an important trade route, the missing of cultures is working well. Although the are has been populated for millennia there are a not a great deal of sights but the A’ali Burial Grounds, the House of Al Jasra and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque should all be seen. They should also be treated with the respect that they are by the local people. Beaches, coral reefs spicy Arabic food, natural pearls and oil money are features that are hard to miss and should be enjoyed by those that spend time here.

History

Bahrain was once part of the ancient civilization of Dilmun and served as an important link in trade routes between Sumeria and the Indus Valley as long as 5 000 years ago. Since the late 18th century Bahrain has been governed by the Al Khalifa family which created close ties to Britain by signing the General Treaty of Peace in 1820. A binding treaty of protection known as the Perpetual Truce of Peace and Friendship was concluded in 1861 and further revised in 1892 and 1951. This treaty was similar to those entered into by the British Government with the other Persian Gulf principalities. It specified that the ruler could not dispose of any of his territory except to the United Kingdom and could not enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without British consent. The British promised to protect Bahrain from all aggression by sea and to lend support in case of land attack.

After World War II Bahrain became the center for British administration of treaty obligations in the lower Persian Gulf. In 1968 when the British Government announced its decision (reaffirmed in March 1971) to end the treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikdoms Bahrain joined the other eight states (Qatar and the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which are now called the United Arab Emirates) under British protection in an effort to form a union of Arab emirates. By mid-1971 however the nine sheikhdoms still had not agreed on terms of union. Accordingly Bahrain...more