Introduction Meaning "two seas", Bahrain is Kingdom of 33 islands situated in the Persian Gulf. The archipelago was given this name because of the fresh water springs that exist in its waters. The Kingdom of Bahrain has been ruled by the Al Khalifa family since the late 1700’s. The current ruler is His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Bahrain has long been known as the “Pearl of the Gulf” due to the warmth and hospitality of its people as well as its natural abundance of palm trees and pearls. Bahrain’s history dates back to 2,000 BC when the archipelago was known as Dilmun. Bahrain, or Dilmun, was a key trading port given its central location in the Persian Gulf. The Kingdom remains an important part of international trade. History Bahrain’s strategic location in the Gulf and its mass amounts of pearls and natural sweet water made it the desire of many rulers’ centuries ago. In 1521 Bahrain, which was previously ruled by Arab nomadic tribes, fell to a Portuguese invasion. The Portuguese controlled Bahrain for 80 years until 1602 when they were defeated by the Persian Empire. The Persians ruled Bahrain until 1783, when they were defeated by the Al Khalifa tribe. In 1820 Bahrain signed a treaty with Britain making it a British protectorate while maintaining Al Khalifa rule. At the time the British were the dominant military power in the Gulf and held similar treaties with other Gulf countries. During WW-II the British presence in Bahrain increased as the archipelago was of strategic use to its navy. In 1971 Bahrain gained independence from Britain and remains independent of foreign rule until this day. Business and Economy The Kingdom of Bahrain is considered the most business-friendly country in the GCC, along with Dubai. In 1971 Bahrain became, and remains to this day, the banking capital of the Middle East. The country currently plays host to hundreds of major international banks and financial institutions. The banking industry, in conjunction with other developments, has brought diversification to the Kingdom’s economy. Until the mid 1900’s Bahrain’s economy was sustained mainly by pearl diving. In 1932 oil was discovered in the Kingdom thus leading to a major shift in the country’s economic activity. Though Bahrain’s economy no longer depends on oil, the country is a major exporter of petroleum and aluminum. Bahrain also has large reserves of natural gas. Tourism In the past years Bahrain made a name for itself within the GCC’s tourism industry. Its calm blue waters and many uninhabited islands make Bahrain an ideal location for vacationers with an exquisite selection of 5-star hotels as well as an extensive list of 4, 3, and 2-star hotels. The dining and restaurant scene has long been a popular choice of entertainment for locals and expats alike. Bahrain’s restaurants offer cuisines, atmospheres, and prices to suit every taste. As well there are a variety of shopping malls, cinemas, and amusement places.