Middle East Kingdoms

Bahrain

The kingdom of Bahrain is a borderless island country in the Persian Gulf and is the smallest Arab nation. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway (officially opened on 25 November 1986), and Qatar is to the south across the Persian Gulf.

(Timeline of events taken from the BBC chronology of key events in Bahrain.)

1913 - 1971

Britain and the Ottoman government sign a treaty recognising the independence of Bahrain, but the country remains under British administration.

1931

The Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company of California (Socal), discovers oil at Jabal al-Dukhan and production begins the following year.

1939

Britain decides that the Hawar Islands, which lie in the Gulf of Bahrain between Bahrain and Qatar, belong to Bahrain not Qatar. The islands remain a source of political conflict between Qatar and Bahrain for the course of the century.

1961 - 1971

Sheikh Isa Bin-Al Khalifah

First ruler of Bahrain.

1967

Britain moves its main regional naval base from Aden to Bahrain.

1968

On 16 January, Britain announces it will close its bases east of Suez by 1971.

1970

On 19 January, the Administrative Council becomes a twelve-member Council of State, headed by a president, the ruler's brother, Sheikh Khalifah Bin-Salman Al Khalifah. In May the same year, Iran (Persia) renounces its claim to sovereignty over Bahrain after a United Nations report shows that Bahrainis want to remain independent.

1971

Bahrain declares independence on 15 August and signs a new treaty of friendship with Britain. Sheikh Isa becomes the first Emir and the Council of State becomes a cabinet. On 16 December, Bahrain gains formal independence from Britain. Bahrain is the first Gulf state to sign a free trade pact with the US. Later in the same year on 23 December, Bahrain and the US sign an agreement which permits the US to rent naval and military facilities.

Emirate of Bahrain

The capital was (and is) at Manama, a major port city and commercial centre which lies on the north-eastern tip of the island of Bahrain. It was declared a free port in 1958.

1971 - 1999

Sheikh Isa Bin-Al Khalifah

First Emir of Bahrain (ruler since 1961).

1975

On 26 August, following claims by Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifah Bin-Salman Al Khalifah that the National Assembly is impeding the work of the government, the Emir dissolves the assembly and rules by decree.

1999 - Present

Sheikh Hamad

Eldest son.

2002

On 14 February, Bahrain turns itself into a constitutional monarchy and allows women to stand for office in a package of reforms.

Crown Prince Sheikh Salman

Son and heir.