Bahrain And Saudi Arabia: Bordering Neighbors

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are neighbouring countries situated towards the southern end of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. The two countries are connected by the King Fahd Causeway, a 25-kilometre-long series of bridges and causeways that links Khobar in Saudi Arabia to Al Jasra in Bahrain. The causeway, which opened in 1986, includes the construction of an artificial island, known as Passport Island or Middle Island, that serves as the border crossing between the two countries.

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long bridge connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km-long bridge (approximately 15.5 miles) connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The bridge consists of a series of bridges and causeways, with five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons and seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water. The construction of the bridge began in 1954 when King Saud of Saudi Arabia visited Bahrain and expressed his wish to nurture and solidify the bonds between the two countries. The bridge was finally inaugurated in 1986 and was named after the then-ruler of Saudi Arabia, King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

One of the embankments, known as Middle Island or Passport Island, has been converted into an artificial island that houses customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants. The island is designed as two connected islands, with the west side designated as Saudi Arabian and the east as Bahraini. The island also features two 65-metre-high tower restaurants and extensive landscaping.

The King Fahd Causeway is the only border crossing between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and is used to connect Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province to Bahrain's Northern Governorate. The route was chosen as the shortest path between the island of Bahrain and mainland Saudi Arabia. The construction of the causeway has strengthened bilateral relations, improved regional defence, and benefited both countries economically and politically.

The causeway was constructed in three segments, starting from Al-Aziziyyah in Saudi Arabia, to the Border Station on Passport Island, then to Nasan Island in Bahrain, and finally to Al-Jasra on the main island of Bahrain. The project cost a total of US$800 million and was built using 350,000 cubic metres of concrete and 147,000 metric tonnes of reinforced steel. Strict quality control measures were implemented to ensure the durability of the structure.

The Causeway was completed in 1986 and cost $800 million

The King Fahd Causeway, a series of bridges and causeways, was completed in 1986, officially opening the border between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The causeway cost $800 million to build and is 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) long. It is a remarkable feat of engineering, with five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons and seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower waters.

The idea of a bridge linking the two kingdoms had been discussed for generations, with the project beginning in earnest during an official visit to Bahrain by King Saud in 1954. The aim was to strengthen the bonds between the two countries. In 1965, the idea began to take shape when Sheikh Khalifah ibn Sulman Al Khalifah, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, visited King Faisal, who expressed his wish to move forward with the project. A joint committee was formed in 1968 to assess the finances required for the project, and in 1973, King Faisal suggested that the committee focus on construction rather than economic and financial issues.

In 1981, an agreement was signed between the two kingdoms to start construction on the maritime causeway, and the project was officially inaugurated in November 1986. The causeway has three segments. The first segment begins in the small town of Al-Aziziyyah in Saudi Arabia and ends at the Border Station on Passport Island. The second segment connects the Border Station to Nasan Island in Bahrain, and the third segment goes from Nasan Island to Al-Jasra on the main island of Bahrain.

The King Fahd Causeway is one of the busiest "highways" in the world, serving around 20 million passengers annually. It has improved travel between the two countries, with commuters only needing to stop at one post for passport control, car clearance, and customs. The causeway also features two 65-metre-high (213-foot-high) restaurant towers on the artificial Passport Island, offering a unique dining experience.

Passport Island, or King Fahd Passport Island, is an artificial island partitioned between the two countries

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are two countries situated towards the southern end of the Persian/Arabian Gulf. The two countries share a maritime boundary, which was established in 1958. In addition, the two countries also share a land border of sorts, in the form of an artificial island known as Passport Island, or King Fahd Passport Island.

Passport Island is a 2.5 km (1.6 mi) artificial island partitioned between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in the Gulf of Bahrain. It is the only land border between the two countries and serves as a border crossing, connecting Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province to Bahrain's Northern Governorate via the King Fahd Causeway. The causeway, which opened in 1986, was built to foster stronger cultural and social bonds between the two countries.

The island is officially named after King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, the ruler of Saudi Arabia at the time of the causeway's construction. It is also referred to as Middle Island or Embankment 4. The island is designed as two connected islands, with the western half belonging to Saudi Arabia and the eastern half to Bahrain. Each country operates its own border station, complete with customs and immigration facilities, mosques, and fast-food restaurants, including McDonald's on both sides.

The island is a popular rest stop for travellers crossing between the two countries, offering parks, observation towers, and restaurants. However, it also experiences significant traffic congestion, particularly on weekends, when the number of vehicles crossing the causeway can double or triple. To alleviate this, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have proposed expanding the causeway to 45 lanes and potentially adding a second causeway with a rail link.

The creation of Passport Island and the King Fahd Causeway has had a significant impact on the relationship between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, providing a direct link between the two nations and facilitating the movement of people and goods. It has also contributed to the development of the region, with the causeway becoming a major transportation hub and the island serving as a unique international border crossing.

The Causeway has become a tourist attraction, including the popular Middle Island

The King Fahd Causeway is a 25km (15.5mi) long series of bridges and causeways that connects Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and Al Jasra, Bahrain. The causeway, which opened in 1986, includes the building of an artificial island, King Fahd Passport Island, or simply Passport Island, which serves as the sole border crossing between the two countries. The island is also known as Middle Island, Embankment 4.

The causeway has become a tourist attraction, with its five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons and seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water. Middle Island has been converted into a sizeable artificial island with customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants. The island also features two 65-metre-high tower restaurants. The landscaping around the islands, as well as the services and road stations, further enhance the visitor experience.

The causeway offers a unique opportunity to cross between two countries and provides a glimpse into the cultural and social bonds between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The project cost a total of US$800 million and was built using 350,000 cubic metres of concrete and 147,000 metric tonnes of reinforced steel.

The King Fahd Causeway is a significant achievement in engineering and a testament to the improved relations between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. It stands as a popular tourist attraction, with its impressive structure, facilities, and the popular Middle Island offering a range of amenities for visitors.

The Causeway has brought economic and social benefits to both countries

The King Fahd Causeway, a 25km (15.5mi) long series of bridges and causeways, connects Khobar, Saudi Arabia, and Al Jasra, Bahrain. The causeway was built to improve the cultural and social bonds between the two countries. It has been successful in strengthening their bilateral relations and has helped both countries economically and politically.

The causeway has made travel between the two countries much easier and more convenient. Previously, commuters had to stop at two separate posts for passport control, car clearance, and customs. Now, commuters only have to stop at one post, making travel much easier. This has also helped to ease traffic congestion on the highway.

The King Fahd Causeway has also brought economic benefits to both countries. As of 2010, an estimated 25,104 vehicles were using the causeway daily, with a total of 19.1 million passengers crossing the causeway that year. This has likely increased since then, bringing even more economic benefits to the countries. The causeway has also encouraged the development of new businesses and infrastructure in the area, such as restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores.

In addition, the construction of the causeway has helped to improve regional defense. For example, in 2011, Saudi Arabia used the causeway to cross into Bahrain with 150 vehicles to assist the Bahraini government in suppressing an anti-government uprising. The causeway has also allowed Bahrain to maintain good relations with the United States and continue housing the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

The King Fahd Causeway is a successful example of how infrastructure projects can bring economic and social benefits to countries. It has improved travel, increased economic activity, and strengthened political and cultural relations between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

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