Page 492 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

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V. BAHRAIN.
General.—The Bahrain group consists of one main island and
a number of smaller islands off the north-east coast of Arabia.
The main island, generally known as Manama after the principal
town of the state, has an area of ‘208 square miles and is 00 miles
in length and JO miles in width. Of the smaller islands, Muhurraq.
situated at a short distance from the north-east corner of the main
island, is the most important, and has an area of 5J square miles.
The state is ruled by an Arab Sheikh in special treaty relations
with His Majesty's (lovernment and the (iovernment of India, who
an* represented by a Political Agent.
The total population of the islands is estimated at 120,000.
Cultivation.—Owing to lack of water and the rocky nature of
the soil, only a small proportion of the islands, approximately
one twentieth of the total area, is under cultivation and this is
confined for the most part to the northern end of the main island,
where in recent years numerous artesian wells have been introduced.
Transport.—Roads capable of taking motor traffic exist over the
Northern part of the island: the only one which may he termed
first class connects Manama with the oil-field of the Bahrain
Petroleum Company Limited, situated at a distance of some 15
miles from the town.
Recent figures show that there were 102 cars and *27 lorries
on the. island. Taxis can he hired by visitors.
Motor dhows and launches as well as sailing dhows connect the
islands with each other and also with the mainland ports of
C>atir and Ojair.
Landing facilities, etc.—Owing to shallow anchorage, steamers
arriving at Bahrain are obliged to lie some three or four miles
from the shore and discharge their cargo into dhows. A very
considerable proportion of this cargo is subsequently transhipped
to the mainland.
Customs.—Customs duties on imports, from which the revenue
of the state is mainly derived, are levied at the rate of 5 per cent.
a/I valorem on general merchandise. 10 jn;r rent, on certain
luxury " articles such as carpets, cycles, clocks and watches,
electrical goods, furniture, gramophones, gold thread, hosiery,
henna, motor ears, perfumery, toilet soap, silk goods, sewing
machines, tyres and tubes, type-writers, hoots and shoes, playing
cards, and 15 per cent, on alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes.
Transit dues at the rate of 2 jx;r cent, are charged on goods
landed at Bahrain for the mainland. An export duty of 10 Rupees
per bundle of hides and 2 lluj>ees per basket of dates is charged.
The customs office is controlled by a European Director of
Customs.