An archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain takes its name from two Arabic words "thnain Bahr" meaning "two seas" and refers to the phenomenon of sweet water springs under the sea which mingle with the salty water.Known for international banking, petroleum processing and the unusual luster of Bahrain's natural pearls,the country offers a fascinating blend of eastern and western cultures... as high rise buildings vie for space with more traditional dwellings, and ancient traditions and historical sites mix with modern developments and cosmopolitan living.
