The site of the ancient Bronze Age civilization of Dilmun, present-day Bahrain is an important center linking trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley as early as 5,000 years ago.
The Dilmun civilization declines about 2,000 BC.
Shortly after 600 BC Dilmun is formally incorporated into the new Babylonian empire.
Bahrain, known as Tylos, is later ruled ruled variously by the Arab tribes of Bani Wa’el and Persian governors.
When Bahrain comes under control of the Caliphate in the sevent century, most of its inhabitants are converted to Islam.
The rule by the Caliphate is followed by control of Persia , Omani and Portuguese forces at various times from the 7th century.
Between 1521 and 1602 Bahrain is occupied by Portugal.
Persia conquers the island in 1602 and brings it under Persian suzeranity.
The Al Khalifa family liberates Bahrain in 1783 and establish the Emirate of Bahrain.
The United Kingdom seizes control over Bahrain in 1861 and the emirate becomes a British protecorate.
In 1971 Bahrain becomes an independent constitutional monarchy as the State of Bahrain, that is from 1975 an absolute monarchy.
In an attempt to modernize the country Sheick Hamad ibn Issa al Khalifa (sheick since 1999) renames the state Kingdom of Bahrain and makes it a constitutional monarchy.
Elections have been announced for 2004.