Hawar Islands. 27/10/97; 5,200 ha; 25°40'N 050°50'E. State-owned. An archipelago of 16 small desert islands (of which the largest covers 4.1ha) and islets in the Gulf of Bahrain, surrounded by shallow seas with extensive seagrass beds. The islands are in relatively pristine condition because access is severely restricted by the coast guard and military. The islands support one of the world's largest concentrations of the Socotra Cormorant, and significant numbers of Greater Flamingo and Black-headed Gull. Notable marine species in the surrounding waters include the endangered dugong and several species of marine turtles. Ramsar site no. 920. Most recent RIS information: 2002.

Gulf of Bahrain