The State of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf situated between the east coast of Saudi Arabia and the Qatar peninsula. Bahrain, meaning "two seas" in Arabic, is the largest island of the archipelago. In addition to its sandy beaches, coral reefs, and renowned diving, Bahrain contains numerous archaeological sites, historical museums, mosques, and traditional markets.

Bahrain, having an area of 710 sq. km. is one of the most densely populated countries in the Middle East; about 89% of the population lives in the two principal cities of Manama and Al Muharraq.

The King Fahd Causeway, a 25-kilometer long, four-lane highway crossing the Arabian Gulf, links Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most expensive bridges in the world. A man-made island at the midway point of the causeway provides fantastic views of the surrounding ocean.

The first Gulf state to discover oil, Bahrain has worked to diversify its economy over the past decade.

Bahrain’s development as a major financial center has been the most widely heralded aspect of its diversification effort. Bahrain is a regional financial and business center; international financial institutions operate in Bahrain, both offshore and onshore, without impediments, and the financial sector is currently the second largest contributor to GDP. More than 100 offshore banking units and representative offices are located in Bahrain.