Muharraq Island
During King Hamad’s reign, the search for oil began under the aegis of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), and in 1932 the first oil well on the western side of the Persian Gulf began production. He had already established the first customs office in Manama as crown prince in 1917, and in 1923 he built a port for 5,000 rupees and appointed British customers officer Claude de Grenier as Director. In 1941, a bridge was opened between Manama and Muharraq Island. Dealing with international conflicts in the region, Hamad developed electricity, water, health, and education in his territory during his reign.