Some of you might have noticed the January 2007 issue of National Geographic with Dubai as one of its cover articles. On that note, here’s a little something to look at from my archives.

National Geographic, February 1946:

That’s right, probably one of the first articles in NG dealing solely with our little island of hope, Bahrein: Port of Pearls and Petroleum – With 6 illustrations and Map, 11 Natural Color Photographs by Maynard Owen Williams.

Some gems from the article (keeping in mind fair use!):

Even before petroleum outranked piracy and pearls as a source of riches, Bahrein was credited with the highest per-capita wealth on earth.