( CNN ) -- Key facts about Bahrain , the Persian Gulf island state now facing protests similar to those that have wracked other Middle Eastern countries , as compiled by the CNN Wire : . GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION : . -- Bahrain is a chain of small islands off the eastern shore of the Arabian Peninsula , nestled between Saudi Arabia and Qatar . The kingdom takes its name from the largest island , where the capital , Manama , is located . -- Bahrain 's 2010 census found a population of 1.2 million , but Bahrainis are a minority in their own country . About 54 percent of its population are expatriates , the census found . -- Though its ruling family is Sunni , Shiite Muslims make up about two-thirds of Bahrain 's population . -- A 2006 study by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions reported that guest workers make up 60 percent of the country 's labor force . -- Bahrainis have had universal suffrage since 2002 . The lower house of its parliament is elected , while the upper house is appointed by the king . HISTORY : . -- Bahrain 's current monarch , King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa , is the latest ruler in an Arab dynasty that wrested control of the archipelago from Persia in the 1780s . -- Bahrain was a British protectorate from 1861 to 1971 , when it became fully independent . -- Before the discovery of oil in 1932 , pearls were the backbone of Bahrain 's economy . That history is reflected in the monumental sculpture that sits in Manama 's Pearl Roundabout , the scene of some of the recent demonstrations . -- Pop star Michael Jackson moved to the island kingdom with his family after his 2005 acquittal on child molestation charges in the United States and spent almost a year as a personal guest of a Bahraini prince . The prince later sued Jackson , claiming he had paid all of Jackson 's living expenses and advanced funds on a music contract on which the singer reneged . The case was settled in 2008 , less than a year before Jackson 's death . INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS : . -- Bahrain has been the headquarters of the U.S. Fifth Fleet , the naval arm of American forces in the Middle East , since 1995 . The U.S. Navy has maintained a presence there since 1949 . -- Bahrain has contributed a contingent of police to help provide security for the U.S.-led coalition fighting in Afghanistan . -- The monarchy views Iran , its neighbor across the Persian Gulf and onetime ruler , with `` deep suspicion '' and suspects it of supporting Shiite opposition movements , according to a U.S. diplomatic cable disclosed by the WikiLeaks website . -- Iran has asserted territorial claims over Bahrain both before and after the 1979 revolution that deposed Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi and brought the current Islamic republic to power . ECONOMY : . Petroleum makes up about 30 percent of the country 's economy . But at an estimated 125 million barrels , Bahrain 's oil reserves are a tiny fraction of those held by most of their neighbors . Since the 1960s , the monarchy has worked to diversify its economy , turning the country into a banking , shipping and refining center . Bahrain was the first Middle Eastern country to land a Formula One Grand Prix race , in 2004 . With its racing season set to begin in March , Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa said Tuesday that race authorities are keeping a close eye on the protests `` and will respond appropriately to any further developments . ''
Bahrain is chain of small islands off eastern shore of Arabian Peninsula . Ruling family is Sunni , but Shiite Muslims make up two-thirds of population . HQ of U.S. Fifth Fleet , naval arm of American forces in Mideast , based there . Oil makes up 30 % of economy but reserves are tiny compared to those of neighbors .