Bahrain was the first oil producer among the six monarchies, with production beginning in 1932, but its oil reserves are now almost exhausted. Service industries like tourism and finance play a major role in its economy. Its earlier oil wealth gave Bahrain a head start on its neighbors in developing educational and social institutions, contributing to its status as the most socially liberal of the six monarchies. Qatar received its independence from Britain in 1971, after being a British protectorate since 1916 and under British influence from the mid-1800's. It has the smallest population of any of the six Gulf monarchies, fewer than 500,000.
Citizens make up only one-third of the total population.
Shi c i. The ruling Al Thani family in Sunni and professes the same Wahhabi interpretation of Islam as do the Al Sa c ud. Qatar has one of the highest per capita national incomes in the world. It received its independence from Britain in 1971, after being under de facto British control since the 1830's. The political structure of the federation is loose, with the rulers of the individual emirates preserving a large amount of autonomy.