Bahrain

Bahrain

Type of government: Kingdom

Current head of state: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah

Total population: 791,473

% of population living in poverty: NA%

GDP: $21.73 billion

Capital: Manama

Largest city: Manama

Major bodies of water: The Gulf of Bahrain

Coasts: 161 km

Major rivers: None

Bordering countries: None

Largest religion: Islam

Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Geographical features: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

 Thousands of anti-government protesters are on the streets in Bahrain, where some have cheered the government's release of more than 300 prisoners.

Some demonstrators joined those who have camped out for several days in Manama's Pearl Square, the symbolic center of opposition protests. Meanwhile, Bahraini authorities have released 308 prisoners, including 25 Shi'ite activists who had been on trial since October accused of plotting against the Gulf state's minority Sunni rulers. King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa had pardoned the prisoners on Tuesday, in a gesture toward opposition activists.