BAHREIN, the principal of a cluster of islands on the south-west side of the Persian Gulf, near the Arabian shore. This island, which is about twelve miles from the coast, is one of the finest in the gulf, and is covered with villages and date gardens. The town and fort of Manama, which contains about 800 or 900 houses, carries on a considerable trade with Bassora and other ports in the gulf. Here is a harbour admitting vessels of 200 tons, which trade to Bushire, and with a fair wind make the voyage in fourteen hours. This island has always been famous for its pearl fishery. Its banks produce the finest pearls in the world. They are found in a small mussel which is attached to the bottom by a thin fibre of great length. This is cut by the diver from a depth of three fathoms. These pearls are of two
sorts, white and yellow; and are sent to India, and through Bassora and Baghdad into Asia. The fishery is farmed out by the different chiefs on the coast, who draw a large revenue from this source. It employs annually about 2500 boats, each with from eight to fifteen men. The gains of the divers do not average more than from 40 to 50 Spanish dollars in a season. These islands once belonged to the Portuguese, and afterwards fell under the dominion of an Arabian chief, from whom they were seized by the Persians. They were afterwards taken possession of by the Wahabees. Bahrein is also the name of a province in Arabia. See ARABIA.