| 1. | a sheikdom in the Persian Gulf, consisting of a group of islands: formerly a British protectorate; declared independent 1971. 603,318; 232 sq. mi. (601 sq. km). Capital: Manama. |
| 2. | the largest island in this group: oil fields. 265,000; 213 sq. mi. (552 sq. km). |
Island kingdom in the Persian Gulf off the coasts of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Note: British protectorate from 1820 to 1971.
Note: Revenues from oil reserves, first discovered in 1931, have funded some of the most progressive programs in the Arabian nations.