Exploring Bahrain: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

Bahrain is a small Arab state in the Persian Gulf, officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is an archipelago of 33 islands, mostly desert, with a population of around 1.3 million people. The capital, Manama, is located on Bahrain Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and is home to around two-thirds of the country's population. Bahrain has a long history, dating back to the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, and has been ruled by the Khalifa family since 1783. While Islam is the main religion, Bahrain is known for its tolerance of other faiths, and its culture is considered relatively liberal and cosmopolitan compared to its neighbours. The country has a diverse economy, with a focus on banking, finance, and tourism, in addition to its oil industry. Bahrain has a constitutional monarchy with a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies elected by the people and a Shura Council appointed by the King. The official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken, and the country has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the Arab world.

Geography and Climate

Bahrain is a small, flat, arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf, consisting of a low desert plain that gently rises to a low central escarpment. The highest point is the 134-metre-high Mountain of Smoke (Jabal ad Dukhan). The country is made up of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with extensive land reclamation projects increasing the number of islands to 84 by 2008. Bahrain has no land boundaries but boasts a 161-kilometre coastline. The largest islands are Bahrain Island, the Hawar Islands, Muharraq Island, Umm an Nasan, and Sitra.

The country's landscape is mostly desert, with about 92% of its land area classified as such. Bahrain experiences mild winters and very hot, humid summers. The seas surrounding the islands are shallow, quickly heating up during the summer and resulting in high humidity, especially at night. Summer temperatures can reach 50°C. Rainfall is minimal and irregular, averaging 70.8 millimetres annually, and mainly occurs during the winter months. Powerful sunscreen and adequate clothing are essential for visitors to Bahrain.

History

Bahrain, an island country in West Asia, has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has a rich history spanning several millennia. Here is an overview of the country's history, focusing on key periods and events.

Ancient Civilizations and Foreign Rule

Bahrain was the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization, mentioned in Sumerian clay tablets from the 4th millennium BCE. It was a vital trade link between ancient civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Mesopotamians, and Egyptians. From the 6th to the 3rd century BCE, Bahrain was part of the Achaemenid Empire, followed by rule from various Iranian dynasties, including the Parthians and Sassanids.

Islamic Influence and Portuguese Interlude

Bahrain was one of the earliest areas to embrace Islam during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad in 628 CE. After a period of Arab rule, Bahrain was conquered by the Portuguese Empire in 1521. The Portuguese rule lasted until 1602 when they were expelled by Shah Abbas I of Safavid Iran, marking a resurgence of Shia Islam in the region.

Al Khalifa Rule and British Protectorate

In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribe captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur, and it has been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family since, with Ahmed al-Fateh as the first hakim. In the late 1800s, Bahrain became a protectorate of the British Empire, signing several treaties that granted the British control over its foreign relations and defence. This period saw the decline of pearling, which had been a prominent industry, and the rise of other economic activities.

Independence and Modern Era

Bahrain gained independence from British rule in 1971 and joined the United Nations and the Arab League. The discovery of oil in 1932 had already set the country on a path towards economic development. However, tensions between the Shi'a majority population and the Sunni leadership persisted, fueled by economic and social grievances.

In the late 20th century, Bahrain underwent political reforms, including the introduction of a semi-constitutional monarchy and the granting of voting rights to women. The country experienced protests during the Arab Spring in 2011, with the Shia majority demanding political and economic reforms. The protests were met with a government crackdown, resulting in international criticism of human rights violations.

Today, Bahrain continues to face challenges, including economic diversification, human rights issues, and political tensions. However, it has also made strides in various fields, including finance, tourism, and sports, hosting events like the Bahrain Grand Prix and establishing itself as a regional hub.

Politics

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, who have been in power since 1783. The country is led by a Sunni king, who has wide-ranging executive powers, including appointing the prime minister and ministers, commanding the army, and chairing the Higher Judicial Council. The king can also dissolve the Council of Representatives, the lower house of parliament, after consulting with the Council's chairperson and the head of the Constitutional Court.

The country's first parliamentary elections were held in 1973, but two years later, the emir dissolved parliament and suspended the constitution after it rejected the State Security Law. Bahrain became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002, and the country's political system includes a bicameral National Assembly, with an upper house (the Shura Council) appointed by the king, and a lower house (the Council of Representatives) with 40 members elected by the people.

Bahrain's political landscape is marked by tension between the Shia majority and the Sunni rulers, with the Shia community often complaining of discrimination and marginalization. This tension has led to civil disobedience and protests, most notably during the Arab Spring in 2011, when the government responded with a crackdown on the opposition, including thousands of arrests and reports of torture.

Since 2011, the Bahraini government has continued to suppress political opposition, with independent media banned since 2017, and political isolation laws barring members of the opposition from running in the 2022 parliamentary elections. The government has also jailed and stripped the nationality of prominent opposition figures, including clerics and human rights activists.

On the international stage, Bahrain has close relations with the United States, hosting the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, and is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Bahrain's relationship with Iran has been strained due to Iran's ties with Bahrain's Shia community and its territorial claims over the islands.

Economy

Bahrain's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, with petroleum and natural gas being the country's only significant natural resources. Oil comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues, and the country's most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. However, Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with non-oil sectors contributing to 79.2% of total GDP. The financial and banking sector is one of the most important non-oil sectors, with 406 financial institutions contributing to 16.7% of total GDP. Other important sectors include manufacturing, transport, communications, construction, real estate, hotels, and restaurants. Bahrain's finance industry is very successful, with the country being named the world's fastest-growing financial centre by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index in 2008.

Bahrain has pursued economic freedom as a strategic option to encourage both domestic and foreign investment and has been recognised as a high-income economy by the World Bank. The country has well-balanced international economic and trade relations, with close ties to the Gulf Cooperation Council and a free trade agreement with the United States. Bahrain also has one of the most efficient and advanced transportation systems in the Middle East and is a regional financial and business centre.

Bahrain's economic success is partly due to government initiatives to diversify its economy and the continuous development of the private sector. The country has also benefited from the oil boom since 2001, with economic growth of 5.5%. Bahrain's urgency to embrace economic liberalisation is due to its limited oil supplies, and the government has used its modest oil revenues to invest in infrastructure development and improve the standard of living.

Despite its economic success, Bahrain faces fiscal challenges, including weak public finances, large fiscal deficits, and elevated public debt levels, which pose a threat to its long-term prospects. The country is in a race against time to pivot further from oil, with reserves expected to last 10 to 15 years.

Culture and Religion

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic word 'Bahr', meaning 'sea'. The country's culture is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia and is similar to that of its Arab neighbours in the Arabian Gulf region. Bahrain is known for its cosmopolitanism and ethnic diversity, with at least 8-9 different ethnic groups of Bahraini citizens. The population is mostly Muslim, including both Sunni and Shia sects, and Arabic is the official language. However, English is widely spoken as a lingua franca, and many Bahrainis also have a working knowledge of Hindi and Urdu.

The state religion of Bahrain is Islam, and the country's constitution states that Sharia (Islamic law) is a principal source for legislation. While Islam is prevalent in the country, Bahrain is tolerant towards other religions. There are Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a now-defunct Jewish synagogue on the island. According to the 2010 census, 99.8% of citizens were Muslim, with the remaining population consisting of Christians, Jews, and followers of indigenous practices. However, when including the non-national population, the Muslim proportion falls to 70.2%.

Bahrain has a rich cultural heritage that reflects its historical role as a trading centre. Traditional handicraft industries, such as ceramics, basket weaving, gold working, and textile making, are supported by the state and the local community. The country also has a thriving art scene, with a small but flourishing avant-garde art community. Music is an important part of Bahraini life, with a rich folk music culture, including fidjeri songs traditionally sung by pearl divers.

Bahrain's cuisine is influenced by its location in the Persian Gulf and typically features fish, shrimp, meat, rice, and dates. Machbous, a dish of fish or meat served with rice, is a popular traditional meal. Coffee is also an integral part of social life, often flavoured with cardamom and saffron and offered as a sign of hospitality.

The people of Bahrain observe the two Islamic festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the Prophet Muhammad's birthday, and ʿĀshūrā, celebrated by the country's Shiʿis. While traditional attire is still worn, particularly in rural areas, Western-style clothing is common, especially in urban centres. Women's dress rules are more relaxed compared to conservative regional standards, although the hijab and abaya are still worn in some communities.

Bahrain has several museums, including the Bahrain National Museum, which showcases local artefacts dating back to antiquity, and Beit al-Qurʾān, which houses a large collection of Qurʾāns. The country also has museums dedicated to petroleum production and pearl diving, an important part of Bahrain's history.

Frequently asked questions