"العراق والخليج الفارسي" [و‎‎١‎١‎٠] (٨٦٢/٢٢٤)

COASTS OF THE PERSIAN GULF 143
oilfield, rises out of this depression to 445 feet. The south end of the
island is a long, low, sandy point.
The coasts of Bahrein are low, with date-groves in the north.
They are fringed with coral reefs and strands which extend for about
i| miles on the north, 5 miles on the west, 6 miles on the south, and
up to 18 miles on the east, making approach impossible except in
small craft. Many fish-traps are set on the northern reefs (photo. 62).
Bahrein harbour is north of the island and north-west of Manama;
it is shallow, and large vessels anchor 4 miles out; the inner harbour
affords shelter for small craft. Khor Kaliya, north-east of Bahrein
island and south of Muharraq island, has deep sheltered water less
than a mile from the shore; it is almost landlocked, the entrance being
in the south-east between two reefs. There is also good anchorage
outside Khor Kaliya, in Sitra anchorage.
Bahrein is famous for its copious freshwater springs at the north
end of the island and in the sea. The water, whose amount bears no
relation to the local rainfall, is thought to have an ultimate source in
the highlands of Nejd: the yield is diminishing owing to wastage.
Drinking-water is imported from India.
The island contains several archaeological remains. Bahrein is
thought to have been the ancient Dilmun and the classical Tylos.
A necropolis covers 12 square miles near the village of Ali, about 6
miles south-west of Manama; there are thousands of small tumuli
and a few large ones, whose origin and date are uncertain. Though
they are similar to those of the Phoenicians, the theory that these
people emigrated from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean is no
longer accepted. There is a ruined Arab city near Manama, and a
Persian mosque with two minarets. A ruined sixteenth-century
Portuguese fort stands half-way along the north coast.
Manama, the capital and port, extends for i| miles at the east end
of the north coast. It had a population of 28,000, including many
wealthy Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants, and about 300 Euro
peans and Americans, in 1942. Wide roads connect the various
quarters of the town, and there are motor-roads or tracks with bus
services to most of the villages. Manama has an electricity station,
wireless station, post office, hospitals, club, up-to-date schools, public
gardens, and a British Political Agency. There are two piers in
Bahrein inner harbour, which is usually full of native craft. Steamers
of the British India Steam Navigation Company provide a regular
mail service to and from India, Persia, and Iraq. Muharraq town
has an entirely native population of 18,000. The water-supply of