Bahrain is a Persian Gulf island nation located between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, known for its capital, Manama, and its modern, cosmopolitan yet conservative culture. As the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization and once a pearl fishing hub, Bahrain transitioned from oil dependence to a major financial and business center after discovering oil in the early 20th century. Ruled by the Al Khalifa family, the country's modern history includes periods of British protection before its 1971 independence. The nation is an archipelago of 33 islands, with more than half its population being non-Bahraini, and faces unique geographic challenges with limited freshwater resources.