Page 334 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

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BAHREIN MARITIME ARAB STATES.

XII. The heat in summer is excessive ;
r., no idea can be formed
Average Range of Ther­ o lhe average range of the thermometer, or of
mometer.
the average fall of rain.
XIII.—Fifty thousand inhabitants on the island.
No correct esti-
Estimated Population, mate can be formed, without further inquiry,
.
r
ol the population of the dependencies of Ball-
rein on the Guttur Coast.

MARITIME ARAB STATES.

These States are independent, but acknowledge the feudal supremacy
of the Wahabee ruler whenever his own power, or their dissensions,
may place him in a position to exercise it. Their chiefs are expected
to afford military aid in his expeditions, and to furnish supplies to his
troops when present, as in the case of the garrison at Brymce in Oman.
The territorial possessions of the Maritime States are confined to the
inhabited spots on the sea coast, and may be said to be bounded by
the walls of their towns, and by the date groves in their immediate
vicinity. Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur, the Joasmee Chief, holds also
some territory on the Batinah Coast, such as Khore Fukaun and Dub-
ba, which he wrested from the Imaum during the contest between
His Highness and the Soliar branch of his family, when he supported
the cause of the latter. The maritime tribes are each of them closely
related to nomade tribes in the interior, over whom the chiefs of the
former exercise a limited control.
The character of the Coast of Arabia, from the mouths of the Euphra­
tes to the range of mountains in Oman which joins the sea a little below
Ras-ool-Khyma, is low, sandy, and barren. Water is everywhere more
or less brackish. The Desert passes close up lo the wails of the towns,
and, beyond the scanty date plantations, the produce of which is altoge­
ther inadequate to the supply of the inhabitants, precludes cultivation.
The maritime tribes are dependent for their subsistence upon the
pearl and common fisheries. They engage, also, extensively in the
coasting trade of the Gulf, and in the carrying trade to India and Zan­
zibar. Nothing is known of the interior of the country, with the
exception of Koweit, and the bay of Kateef, sheltered by reefs. This
coast possesses no harbours, and forms a lee-shore to the prevailing
north-west winds. The towns are all built on the banks of deep creeks
or backwaters, into which the larger boats can enter only when unladen.
The heat during summer is excessive.
From the lowness of the country, the average fall of rain is sma ,
probably does not exceed from four to six inches in the year.