Bahrein

Bahrein, a group of islands belonging to Muscat, on the S.W. of the Persian Gulf, near the Arabian coast. The chief of them, which gives its name to the whole, is Bahrein or Awal (Aval), and lies about 90 miles from Bushire, having a length of 70 and a breadth of 23 miles. The pearl fisheries are the richest in the world. Tortoise-shell, sharks' fins, and dates are also exported, and the soil produces cereals and fruits. Manama is the capital, and Arad, Maharay, and Tamehoy are the other principal islands of the cluster.