Bahrain, in Arabic "two seas", is situated in the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf about 24 km off the east coast of Saudi Arabia and 28 km from Qatar. It is an archipelago consisting of 33 natural islands and numerous islets, shoals, and artificial islands. The islands' total land area is about 780 km², which is slightly larger than Singapore and the Maldives, making it the third-smallest country in Asia. Bahrain is low-lying, with the highest point, Jebel Dukhan in the centre of Bahrain island, at 137 meters above sea level. Bahrain island is the largest island and accounts for about 85 per cent of the area. It is connected to adjacent islands and the mainland of Saudi Arabia by bridges and causeways. Located in one of the world's richest petroleum regions, the country itself is the smallest Gulf oil producer. In 2018, Bahrain announced the discovery of an offshore oil field off Bahrain's west coast, estimated to contain 80 billion barrels of shale oil.

Bahrain’s climate is arid and is characterized by extremely hot summers and relatively mild winters. Average monthly temperatures range from 14 to 41 °C and are fairly uniform throughout the archipelago. There are two distinct seasons: a winter season from November to April, and a summer season from May to October -—
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—-. The annual average rainfall is small (about 80 mm) and irregular, falling almost entirely in the winter months-—
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—-. There are no rivers or permanent streams on the islands. Groundwater is the only natural source available for freshwater supply. Sandstorms are frequent, affecting all aspects of human activity and aggravating desertification. Despite the dry climate, about two hundred species of desert plants grow in the country. The only major tree growing in Bahrain is the Tree of Life (Shajarat-al-Hayat), 400 years old and 9.75 m high Prosopis cineraria tree, located 2 km from Jebel Dukhan.

The oil and gas industry dominates Bahraini economy. In 2019, it accounted for 17.8 per cent of the country’s GDP. The country's largest non-oil sectors are the financial corporations sector contributing 16.5 per cent to GDP, and manufacturing sector contributing 14.5 per cent to GDP -—
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—-. Bahrain hosts the world’s largest aluminium shelter outside China, Alba, which is the dominant force in the country’s manufacturing sector. The largest export partners are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America. -—
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Service sector employed roughly 64 per cent of total employed in the country in 2019, and these jobs were predominantly occupied by women (91 per cent of women were employed by the sector) -—
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—-. Tourist arrivals averaged 11 million per year for the period 2015-2019, reaching a peak of 12 million in 2018. Tourism expenditure contributed 10 per cent of GDP in 2019 -—
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—-. Bahrain is classified as a high income economy -—
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—- and reached US$23 504 per capita in 2019 -—
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According to the  -—
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—-, only 2 per cent of the territory is classified as arable land. Limited arable area, high temperatures, scarcity of water resources and loss of agricultural lands due to salinization result in a low development of agriculture. The main crops are alfalfa for animal fodder, but dates, figs, mangos, pomegranates, melons, papayas are also grown. Agriculture accounts for only 1 per cent of total employment -—
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In ancient times, Bahrain was part of Dilmun, a mercantile civilization, which dominated trade routes along the Persian Gulf from the fourth millennium Before Christ through to the ninth century BC. The country declared itself a constitutional monarchy in 2002.

Bahrain was one of the first areas to convert to Islam, in 628, four years before the death of the prophet Muhammad. Bahrainis are predominantly Muslims, both Sunni and Shia Muslims, the latter being the majority. -—
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—-. Music is an important part of the island culture. Fidjeri songs once sung by pearl divers are still very popular. Cloth weaving, pottery, and basket weaving are traditional handicrafts

Local sports, such as horse and camel racing, are well-liked throughout the country. Wealthier Bahrainis practice falconry and gazelle and hare hunting. The most popular modern sport is soccer. In 1984, the country competed in the Summer Olympic Games for the first time. Bahrain hosted the First Formula One Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East, in 2004.

Bahrain’s traditional food includes fish, shrimp, meat, rice, and dates. Among popular traditional dishes are Machbous, fish or meat served with rice, and muḥammar, sweet brown rice with sugar or dates. Arab Coffee, or Qahwah, often flavored with cardamom and saffron, is the national drink.

The Cabo Verde archipelago consists of ten volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, of which nine are inhabited. The archipelago is situated 570 km west of the Senegalese coast of West Africa, and named after Cap‐Vert, or the green peninsula. The islands cover a combined area of slightly over 4 000 km², and are divided into the Barlavento (Windward) group to the north and the Sotavento (Leeward) group to the south. The nation's capital, Praia, is located on Santiago, the largest island. The largest port of the islands is located at Mindelo, on São Vicente. It has a deep water harbour that can accommodate large vessels and has been used as a fueling station since the 19th century.

Cabo Verde enjoys a moderate climate characterized by stable temperatures; average monthly temperatures range from 21 to 26 °C. Three distinct seasons can be identified: a transition season from November to February, a dry season in the middle, and a rainy season from July to October. -—
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—- Owing to their proximity to the Sahara, most of the Cabo Verde islands are dry and arid. The archipelago can be divided into four broad ecological zones: arid, semiarid, subhumid and humid, according to altitude and average annual rainfall, which ranges from 200 mm along the arid coastline to more than 1 000 mm in the humid mountains. The annual average rainfall for the country is below 350 mm -—
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Most rainfall precipitation is due to condensation of ocean mist. The islands have few rivers and suffer from cyclical drought and chronic water shortages, despite seasonal rains. Rains can be torrential, often causing significant damage, soil loss from water erosion and flooding. Western Hemisphere‐bound hurricanes often have their early beginnings near the Cabo Verde Islands. These are referred to as Cabo Verde‐type hurricanes and can become very intense. The five largest Atlantic tropical cyclones on record have been Cabo Verde‐type hurricanes.

With all year‐round sun, Cabo Verde's economy is driven by tourism. The country's service exports concentrate on transport and travel. Travel and tourism's contribution to the economy is large: In 2019, inbound tourism expenditure over GDP reached almost 29 per cent -—
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—-. With few natural or mineral resources and water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of sustained drought, agriculture is subsistence. According to the items attribute is mandatory, over 10 per cent of the territory is classified as arable land. The main crops grown are maize and beans, but bananas, sugar cane, sweet potatoes and cassava are also grown. Approximately 90 per cent of food consumed is imported. Agriculture accounts for about 10 per cent of employment on the islands; roughly 15 per cent for men. Over 80 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men are employed in services -—
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—-. The seas around Cabo Verde are rich with many types of fish, therefore, a large proportion of exports consist of fish and sea food, but also clothing and footwear. The largest export partners are Spain, Portugal and Italy -—
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In 2013, the Cabo Verdean government determined that the Portuguese designation Cabo Verde would henceforth be used for official purposes, as at the United Nations, even in English contexts.

Cabo Verde's culture is influenced by a blend of its Portuguese as well as African traditions. Music is very important to island culture ‐ the archipelago's most famous musical export is Cesaria Evora, the world renowned morna and coladeras artist. Other musical forms, such as, batuko and funaná are also popular on the islands. Cabo Verde has also produced a number of talented poets and authors including Baltasar Lopes da Silva, Frusoni Sergio, Eugénio Tavares and Manuel Lopes.

Local sports, such as uril and bisca, are popular throughout the country and tend to attract large crowds. Football is very popular amongst Cabo Verdeans, fueled by strong inter island rivalry. Basketball, long‐distance running and swimming are also popular. Windsurfing, fishing, cycling, golfing, hiking, mountain climbing, horseback riding and scuba diving are common resort activities. The traditional African board game of ouri is also popular on the island.

Named after the Arabic word for 'moon', Qamar, the Comoros islands are an archipelago of volcanic islands in the Indian Ocean located off Africa's east coast and south of the Equator. Comoros is located on the Somali plate. They are also known as the 'perfumed islands', owing to fragrant plants, such as, frangipani, jasmine and lemongrass. The country consists of three main islands surrounded by coral reefs. The islands are Grande Comore, Mohéli and Anjouan, and the largest island (Grande Comore), is dominated by Karthala, a towering 2 360 m high volcano whose summit is almost constantly smothered in equatorial cloud. In April 2005, the volcano began spewing ash and gas, forcing as many as 10 000 people to flee.

The Comoro Islands have a humid, tropical climate. Monthly average temperatures range from 24 to 27 °C and the annual rainfall is around 1 600 mm, with the wettest time of the year lasting from January to March. The rainfall varies between the three islands due to differences in altitude and winds. During the humid rainy season, especially between January to April, tropical cyclones are a risk. -—
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—- The islands are also prone to heavy rains and flash floods. The islands are cooled by south‐easterly trade winds during the dry season.

Subsistence farming and fishing are the main source of employment, partly due to low educational levels. Agriculture also accounts for almost one third of GDP in Comoros. Comoros is the world's principal producer of ylang‐ylang essence, extracted from flowers of a tree. Export income is heavily reliant on ylang‐ylang and two other main crops: vanilla and cloves, and remains vulnerable to extreme weather. Important export partners include India, France and Germany -—
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—-. Deforestation has also negatively affected ground water supply on the islands. Several rivers have disappeared and many remaining rivers run dry during the dry season. In Grande Comore, 60 per cent of the population relies on uncovered water containers and 40 per cent on coastal aquifers. The Comoros imports roughly 70 per cent of the food it consumes.

The Comoros is experiencing some exodus of educated and skilled workers. GDP per capita has been growing only moderately in recent years, after many years of decline in the early 2000s. The capital, Moroni, located on the island of Grande Comore (N'gazidja), has most of the modern commercial and manufacturing facilities located in the country. With miles of beautiful beaches, tourists are drawn to Comoros. Inbound tourism expenditure over GDP has been growing in recent years and was at 6 per cent in 2019. Incorrect syntax for items

The Comoros' culture has been influenced by Islamic tradition, mixed with French and African elements. Traditionally, people believed in spirits and the power of djinn, which is derived from African, Arab and Madagascan traditions.

Local artisans are skilled in sculpture, pottery, embroidery and basketry. Diversity is also evident in the many prevalent languages used on the islands, including French, Comorian, Arabic and Swahili.

Customary celebrations in the Comoros often feature dancing, music and the re‐creation of popular and important literary texts, including war epics and tales about the foundations of different villages. Embroidered ceremonial coats and Islamic bonnets are frequently donned. Jewelry is also widely produced and sold.

Guinea-Bissau is a small country situated in Western Africa, bordered by Senegal, Guinea-Conakry and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is composed of an archipelago, the Bijagos, of more than 100 islands. Only twenty islands are populated year-round. Several ecosystems cohabitate on the islands, such as mangroves, coastal savanna, sand banks and palm forests.

Guinea-Bissau consists mostly of low coastal plains and low-lying plateaus with a highest point at around 300m in the east of the country. Swamps of mangroves rise to the forest-savanna in the eastern part of the country, where both the Cacheu and Geba rivers cross. The southern edge of the Senegal River basin meets with Guinea-Bissau’s interior plains.

Situated in the inter-tropical zone, with several winds circling near the Equator, Guinea-Bissau is composed of two distinct climatic regions: the tropical and humid sub-Guinean, which is characterized by heavy rainfall, and the tropical Sudanese region influencing the eastern half of the country, characterized by high temperature ranges -—
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The country is warm all year round, with an average temperature of 26°C, experiencing a dryer season with droughts between December and April, with a peak of temperature reaching nearly 30°C in April. Rainfall increases between May and November, reaching almost 500 mm in August. Climate fluctuations have been observed with the dry season lasting longer, especially in the eastern region of the country, and a late start of the rainy season beginning mid-June instead of mid-May. -—
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—- According to the United Nations University -—
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—- World Risk Index, Guinea-Bissau ranks 24^th in the list of world’s most at-risk country for natural hazards, and 5^th in Africa. The country is experiencing recurrent droughts, rising sea levels and deforestation.

Guinea-Bissau’s economy was traditionally primarily based on agriculture. According to the -—
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—-, roughly 10 per cent of the territory is classified as arable land. Agriculture accounts for about 68 per cent of employment in the country, roughly the same for women and men -—
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—-. The share of agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing in total value added has been relatively stable for decades at about 50 per cent; services accounted for about 36 per cent and industry for 13 per cent in 2019 -—
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—-. About one quarter of women and men are employed in services, and more than 9 per cent of men in industry, with women’s share about half of that -—
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—-. Inbound tourism expenditure’s share of GDP has been consistently low at about 1.5 per cent -—
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Cashew cultivation is important for Guinea-Bissau’s economy, both for economic performance and poverty reduction. The country’s international trade is highly concentrated: more than 80 per cent of exports go to India, with Singapore and the United States of America also being important export destinations -—
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Guinea-Bissau is culturally very rich and composed of diverse ethnic groups with different customs, languages and social structures. The unique music style of the country is called gumbe, and the primary musical instrument is the cabasa, with accompanying songs’ lyrics almost always in Guinea-Bissau creole.

People consume mostly rice on the coast and millet in the interior of the country, but common dishes also include soups and stews, sweet potato, plantain and cassava among others.

The most popular sport in Guinea-Bissau is football, with the national team being a member of the Confederation of Africa Football and FIFA.

The Maldives consists of 1 192 coral islands, grouped in 26 ring‐shaped clusters or atolls, along the Equator, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. About 99 per cent of the Maldives' territory is open ocean. It is one of the smallest Asian countries with a land area of 300 km². The atolls and islands run in a north south direction and are scattered over a vast area of 90 000 km², making the Maldives one of the most geographically dispersed countries in the world.

The atolls sit atop a 960 km long submarine mountain range, called the Laccadives‐Chagos Ridge. Safe navigation of vessels from one side of the Indian Ocean to the other is only possible towards the southern end of the country or through its territorial waters, where there are two open channels through the natural coral barricade to the open sea.

The Maldives is the world's flattest and lowest‐lying country. The average ground level of the islands is 1.5 m above sea level. This makes the islands extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels due to global warning.

Maldives has a warm and humid tropical climate affected by its proximity to the Equator as well as the large South Asian landmass to the north. Two seasons dominate the Maldives' weather: the wet, rainy season which is brought by the southwest monsoon, and the dry season which is marked by the winter northeast monsoon. The monthly average temperatures vary very little around 28 °C -—
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—-. Humidity is relatively high, around 80 per cent, and stable throughout the year. The average annual rainfall is generally below 2 400 mm: It is more abundant in the south than in the northern atolls. Due to the climate change, the Maldives has been experiencing greater variations in rainfall patters, especially in the northern atolls, where dry seasons are becoming longer than usual, leading to shortages of fresh water. The Baa Atoll, comprised of 75 islands, was declared a World Biosphere Reserve in 2011 by UNESCO.

Since early 2000s, the Maldives have more than tripled its GDP per capita to reach almost US$11 000 in 2019, current prices. The economy is driven by commerce, travel and tourism with the service sector accounting for almost 80 per cent of GDP. -—
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—- The contribution of travel and tourism to the economy is significant in the Maldives with inbound tourism expenditure at 55 per cent over GDP in 2019 -—
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—-. Fisheries, boat building and boat repairing are important employment sectors. Tuna is the predominant catch, and accounts for the bulk of exports. Apart from boat building, industry in the Maldives consists of garment production and handicrafts, such as the making of coir (coconut‐husk fibre) and coir products. The main export destinations include Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States of America, Germany and France.

Recently, the country has been conducting large public infrastructure projects and new resort investments. Construction, therefore, accounts for about 10 per cent of GDP -—
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—-. Higher imports associated with these investments worsened the country's external position despite strong tourism receipts prior to the global pandemic of 2020. Among the most ambitious recent projects is the 2.1 km China‐Maldives Friendship Bridge, funded by China, which opened in August 2018. It is the first cross‐sea bridge connecting the Maldivian capital of Malé with neighboring Hulhule and Hulhumalé Islands.

The name 'Maldives' may originate from 'Maale Dhivehi Raajje' ('The Island Kingdom Malé'). The island nation was identified with its capital Maale, and the locals were called Maldivian Dhivehin. Other scholars argue that the name 'Maldives' derives from the Sanskrit maladvipa, meaning 'garland of islands,' or from mahila dvipa, meaning 'island of women'.

The Maldivian ethnic identity is a mixture of Indian, Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Indonesian, Arab and even African cultures. A traditional Maldivian dance‐song, dating back to the 11th century, the Boduberu, which means 'Big (bodu) Drums (beru)', illustrates African influence on the culture and traditions of Maldivians.

Traditional Maldivian cuisine, also known as Dhivehi cuisine, is highly impacted by the Indian and Sri Lankan origins of the Maldivians. The inhabitants of the Maldives use a lot of peppers, chilis and curry in their cooking. Tuna is often the main component of Maldivian meals. Particularly popular is skipjack tuna, tuna frigate and yellowfin tuna, grilled or barbequed.

Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean about 2 000 km off the southeast coast of Africa. There are two main islands: Mauritius and Rodrigues, the latter located 560 km east of Mauritius. The island of Mauritius is 65 km long and 45 km wide. The outer islands include Agaléga and Saint Brandon. The country is known for its rich nature and many endemic species. The island was once home to the dodo, a flightless bird, which was driven to extinction by humans shortly after the island's settlement. These islands emerged as a result of underwater volcanic eruptions some 8 million years ago, though these volcanoes are no longer active. The highest peak, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, lying in the southwest at 828 m.

Mauritius has a tropical climate with two seasons. The summer is warm and humid and lasts from November to April, with a mean temperature of around 25 °C. The winter is relatively cold and dry, lasting from June to September with a mean temperature of 20‐21 °C. The warmest months, January and February, reach average temperatures of 26 °C. Average annual rainfall is above 1 700 mm -—
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—- and ranges from 900 mm on the coast to higher amounts on the central plateau, most of which falls during the summer months. The wettest period lasts from January to March. Sea temperatures vary from 22 to 27 °C. Trade winds cool the eastern side and bring more rain. Between January and March the islands experience occasional tropical cyclones and heavy rains.

Mauritius has developed from a low‐income economy based on agriculture into a diversified economy with a high, almost 80 per cent, share of services in GDP, a few per cent contributed by mining and 13 per cent by manufacturing -—
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—-. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism, transport, textiles, sugar and financial services. In 2019, Mauritius attracted 1.4 million tourist arrivals with an inbound tourism expenditure at 14 per cent over GDP -—
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—-. After Seychelles, Mauritius has the second highest GDP per capita of the Atlantic and Indian Ocean SIDS in 2019 with US$11 000, current prices -—
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This economic transformation, achieved since independence in 1968, is often referred to as 'the Mauritian Miracle', or the 'success of Africa'. The World Bank's 2019 Ease of Doing Business Index ranks Mauritius 13th worldwide. Mauritius has positioned itself as a hub for investment into Africa as it is strategically located between Asia and Africa. Important export destinations include France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and South Africa. Mauritius has undertaken initiatives to develop its regulatory framework, protect investment, avoid double taxation, develop a competent and multilingual workforce and provides a politically stable environment. The country hosts numerous international banks, corporate services, law firms and investment funds. Mauritius also has challenges, such as reliance on relatively few sectors, a relatively small labour force and an increasing old‐age dependency ratio of nearly 18 per 100 persons in 2020.

Arts are an important part of the Mauritian culture and the country is home to several renowned painters. Literature is also important in the country, with J. M. G. Le Clézio winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2008. The island also hosts the Le Prince Maurice Prize that alternates annually between English and French speaking writers. Cuisine is a combination of Indian, Creole, French and Chinese, with many dishes unique to the island. Varying types of seafood and spices play an important part in the local cuisine.

São Tomé and Príncipe lies in the Gulf of Guinea, west from the coast of Central Africa with the Equator immediately south of São Tomé. The country consists of two archipelagos surrounding the two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, that lie about 140 km apart. It is the smallest Portuguese‐speaking country and the second‐smallest African sovereign state. Pico de São Tomé is the highest point of mountainous São Tomé, which peaks at 2 024 m. São Tomé is also the larger of the two main islands: about 50 km long and 30 km wide, while Príncipe is less than half this size. The Pico Cão Grande (Great Dog Peak) is a famous volcanic landmark in southern São Tomé.

The climate of São Tomé and Príncipe is tropical at sea level with hot and humid weather and average temperatures of 22 to 25 °C. The temperature rarely rises beyond 32 °C. The rainy season lasts from October to May. The rainy season is interrupted by a short drier period called 'Gravanito' from December to January. In higher inland the average temperature is 20 °C and nights are generally cool. Average annual rainfall in São Tomé and Príncipe is typically 2 100 mm but varies from 5 000 mm on the southwestern slopes to 1 000 mm in the northern lowlands. -—
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São Tomé and Príncipe is a lower middle income, developing, small island state with some economic vulnerabilities. Its economy is largely based on plantations. The main crop is cocoa, representing about 95 per cent of agricultural exports. According to items attribute is mandatory, other export crops include coffee, copra and palm kernels. Domestic food production is inadequate to meet local consumption, so most of the food consumed in the country is imported. Agriculture, fishing and processing of local agricultural products and production of some basic goods are the main economic activities. As a response to major difficulties in the economy in the 1980s and 1990s, many economic reforms have been carried out. The potential for tourism is high on the scenic islands, and many projects aim at improving the infrastructure to support growth in this sector. In 2019, inbound tourism expenditure reached 10 per cent over GDP.Sao Tome and Principe exports mostly to the Netherlands, Belgium and Singapore -—
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Music is an important part of the local culture. São Toméans play ússua and socopé music, while Príncipe is home to music called dêxa beat. Tchiloli is a popular musical dance performance to tell a story. The danço‐Congo is another musical performance that combines music, dance and theatre.

Tropical fruits, for instance, avocado, bananas and pineapple, play a large role in the local diet. People also eat fish and other seafood, beans, maize and cooked banana, often with hot spices. Coffee is also used as a spice or seasoning.

Football is the most popular sport in São Tomé and Principe. The first local football association was established in 1931, with a national federation following only two years after independence.

Seychelles is an archipelago of with 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, about 1 600 km east of Kenya. It has the smallest population of any sovereign African country. The highest point is Morne Seychellois (905 m) on the largest island, Mahé. The Seychelles are composed of two island groups, the central Mahé group of over 40 mountainous granite islands, and a second group of more than 70 outer, flat, coralline islands. These outer islands rise only a few feet above sea level and are very sparsely populated.

The climate is quite humid in the small islands that are classified as tropical rain forest. The temperature varies little throughout the year. Average annual rainfall in the Seychelles is 1 600 mm, varying by location with around 2 900 mm at Victoria to 3 600 mm in the mountains. Monthly average temperatures vary very little within 27‐28 °C. The coolest months are July and August. -—
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—- The most pleasant time of the year is from May to November, when the southeast trade winds blow regularly. The hot season lasts from December to April, with a high humidity of about 80 per cent. While March and April are the hottest months, the temperature seldom exceeds 31 °C. Most of the islands lie outside the cyclone belt. However, in January 2013, Seychelles declared a state of emergency when tropical cyclone, Felleng, caused torrential rain, flooding and landslides that destroyed hundreds of houses.

While Seychelles does produce agricultural goods for export, such as sweet potatoes, vanilla, coconuts and cinnamon, agriculture makes a modest contribution to GDP. The main exports products include tuna, skipjack and bonito, motorboats and petroleum oil. The main export partners include the United Arab Emirates, France, the British Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom. Since the 1970s, services, including tourism, have become a significant industry for the country, accounting for over 80 per cent of GDP -—
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—-. Recently, Seychelles have attracted foreign investment in hotels and other services. In 2019, Seychelles attracted 428 thousand tourist arrivals with an inbound tourism expenditure of 36 per cent over GDP -—
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—-. Government incentives have also given rise to increasing investment in real estate and new resort properties. The government has also promoted the development of farming, fishing, small‐scale manufacturing and offshore finance to reduce dependence on tourism. At over US$17 thousands, Seychelles had the highest GDP per capita in Africa in 2019 -—
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—-, but income inequality remains significant.