FACTS

Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Area (only Total) total: 665 sq km

Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Population: 718,306

Main Language (only first): Arabic

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital (Name): Manama

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+3

Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK)

National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection