Bahrain, independent state in the Middle East, comprising an archipelago of 33 islands in the southern Persian Gulf, between the Qatar Peninsula on the east and the coast of Saudi Arabia on the west, one of the Persian Gulf states. It has a total area of 680 sq km. The principal islands include Bahrain, by far the largest island; Al Mu?arraq; Umm an Na'sân; Sitrah; Jiddah; and the ?awâr group. Manama is Bahrain's capital and largest city. Bahrain was under British control from 1861 to 1971, when it gained its freedom.