The Kingdom of Bahrain was the home of the ancient Dilmun civilization, internationally famed for its pearl fisheries which in the 19th century were considered the best in the world. It sits near the north-eastern coast of Saudi Arabia in the Arabian Gulf and occupies 33 islands. Its largest landmass, Bahrain Island is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway. The Kingdom has been at the heart of major trade routes since the dawn of antiquity and its modern capital, Manama, still bustles with commerce, from its Bab al-Bahrain bazaar to the striking headquarters of global banks and Bahrain Bay now stands as the jewel of the capital.