The Kingdom of Bahrain, or Bahrain, is a borderless country in the Persian Gulf (Southwest Asia/Middle East, Asia). Saudi Arabia is to the west and is connected to Bahrain by a causeway, and Qatar is to the south across the Gulf of Bahrain.
History :
Bahrain has been populated by humans since prehistoric times. Its strategic location in the Persian Gulf has brought rule from the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and finally the Arabs, under whom the island became Muslim. Bahrain was in the ancient times known by its Persian name Mishmahig and was a part of the Persian Empire.
The modern history of Bahrain begins with the British meddling in Iranian affairs and the British support for the Al-Khalifa family, who established a power base in the island and built alliances with the British in order to separate the island from Iran. British would gain free access to the Persian Gulf through this agreement. In the November of 1957, Iranian parliament announced Bahrain as the Fourteenth province of Iran. Later the British would directly become involved in the politics of Bahrain by handpicking an emir of the island. Eventually Iran and Britain agreed that the matter of Dominion of Bahrain can be put to international judgment and requested the United Nations General Secretary to take on this responsibility. By a Plebiscite and not a Referendum the British finally succeded in seccession of Bahrain from the mainland Iran.
Oil was discovered in the early 20th century and brought rapid modernization and improvements to Bahrain. It also made relations with Britain tighter, and this was evidenced by the British moving more bases to the island nation. British influence would continue to grow, culminating with the appointment of Charles Belgrave as an advisor; Belgrave established modern education systems in Bahrain.
After World War II, increasing anti-British feeling spread throughout the Arab world and led to some riots in Bahrain. The British withdrew from Bahrain in 1971, making it an independent emirate. The oil boom of the 1980s greatly benefitted Bahrain, but its downturn was not as badly felt, as the economy of Bahrain began to diversify.
In the 1990s, increased calls for a representative government pushed the then-emir to move and form the first cabinet in 1994. This group was increased in number as the decade went on, but was not wholly satisfactory and led to some rioting. The Persian Gulf War also brought a heavy American military presence to Bahrain that remains to this day and is a cause of tension.
Politics :
Bahrain is a hereditary kingdom under the rule of the Al-Khalifa family. The King is the chief executive and head of state. The prime minister is head of government. Both these posts are filled by members of the Al-Khalifa family, the king being Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, his uncle Khalifa bin Salman Ali Khalifa. Both rule through consultation with ministers. The judiciary system is relatively