Exploring Bahrain: Many Areas, One Kingdom

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands. The country is divided into four governorates: the Capital, Northern, Southern, and Muharraq. Each governorate is governed by a governor appointed by the prime minister and has its own municipality council, with separate elections held every four years. The central governorate was abolished in 2014, and the country previously had five governorates.

Bahrain's land area

Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with a total land area of 780 square kilometres (300 square miles) according to one source, and 620 square kilometres (239 square miles) according to another. The country is slightly larger than Singapore and around 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC.

Bahrain Island accounts for seven-eighths of the country's total land area and is surrounded by smaller islands. Two of these—Al-Muḥarraq and Sitrah, both to the northeast—are joined to Bahrain Island by causeways. Other islands in the group include Nabī Ṣāliḥ, Al-Muḥammadiyyah (Umm al-Ṣabbān), Umm al-Naʿsān, and Jiddah. To the southeast of Bahrain Island lies the second group of islands, the Ḥawār Islands, which are believed to hold petroleum and natural gas reserves.

The State of Bahrain is divided into four governorates: the Capital, Northern, Southern, and Muharraq. The Central Governorate was abolished in September 2014. The country's capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island and is home to 143,035 people.

The country's population

The population of Bahrain is around 1.5 million people, with estimates ranging from 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023, to 1,620,418 as of November 14, 2024. The population is ethnically diverse, with roughly half of the population being Arab, and the other half being foreign-born, mostly from Iran, India, Pakistan, Britain, and the United States.

Bahrain's population is predominantly Muslim, with about 70% Shia and 30% Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken, and it is taught as a compulsory second language in schools. The country's population is highly urbanised, with 100% of the population living in urban areas as of 2024. The capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern coast of Bahrain Island and is home to most of the country's population.

Bahrain's population has grown and diversified over the years, with the country attracting expatriates from around the world. The country's population growth has outpaced its available water resources, and it now relies on seawater desalination plants for about three-fifths of its water supply. Bahrain has a young population, with a median age of 33.2 years, and a high literacy rate, with 99.39% of people aged 15-24 able to read and write.

The Capital Governorate

The present governorate incorporates the municipalities of Al Manamah, Jid Ali, Ras Rumman, and parts of Jidd Haffs. According to the 2010 census, there were 329,510 people living in the Capital Governorate, including 261,921 non-Bahraini citizens and 67,589 Bahraini nationals. The vast majority of housing in the Capital Governorate are flats, with around 34,000 flats, while private villas were the second most common form of housing, accounting for 7,284 of the housing in the governorate.

The Northern Governorate

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar. The archipelago consists of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands and islets, with a total land area of 780 km².

Bahrain is divided into four governorates: the Capital, Northern, Southern, and Muharraq. The Northern Governorate includes parts of the former municipalities of Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah al Shamaliyah, Jidd Haffs, and Madinat Hamad. Settlements in the Northern Governorate include Sar, home to the Japanese School in Bahrain.

The country's chief city, port, and capital, Manama (Al-Manāmah), is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The capital city is renowned for its striking modernity, relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere, and restaurants and bars, which attract many visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain has a predominantly Muslim population, with about 70% Shia and 30% Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken and taught in schools. The country also has a rich history, dating back to ancient times, with Bahrain Island believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial and trading centre.

The Southern Governorate

The governorate has the second-smallest population of the four, after Al Muharraq. The capital and largest city of Bahrain is Manama, which is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The country's population is predominantly Muslim, with about 70% Shia and 30% Sunni Muslims.

Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands and islets, located in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. The country has a land area of 780 km², making it slightly larger than Singapore, and has a population of about 1.58 million people, including non-nationals.

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