Bahrain's Ancient History: How Old Is The Country?

The Kingdom of Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, gained independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1971. However, the country has a long history of human settlement and has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

Bahrain Island is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a prosperous trading centre that traded with ancient Sumer and has been ruled by various groups, including the native Arab dynasty, the Khalīfah family, since the late 18th century.

Bahrain's name is derived from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'.

Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands

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 about 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'.

The country's chief city, port, and capital, Manama (Al-Manāmah), is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. Bahrain is renowned for its verdant groves of date palms and has been an entrepôt for trade and a source of natural resources for the surrounding area since ancient times. Bahrain Island is widely believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer.

The state consists of two separate groups of islands, which together extend about 30 miles (50 km) from north to south and 10 miles (16 km) from east to west. The island of Bahrain 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 that have facilitated residential and industrial development. Other islands in the group are Nabī Ṣāliḥ, Al-Muḥammadiyyah (Umm al-Ṣabbān), Umm al-Naʿsān (linked by the King Fahd Causeway), and Jiddah. The second group consists of the Ḥawār Islands, which are situated near the coast of Qatar, about 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Bahrain Island.

The main island is more varied in appearance than the small islands in both groups, which are rocky and low-lying. The central region of the main island is rocky and barren, rising to 440 feet (134 metres) above sea level at Al-Dukhān Hill (Jabal Al-Dukhān), the country's highest point. The southern and western lowlands consist of a bleak sandy plain with some salt marshes, while the northern and northwestern coasts afford a striking contrast, forming a narrow belt of date palms and vegetable gardens irrigated from prolific springs and wells that tap artesian water.

Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1971

The road to independence began in 1968, when the British government announced its intention to end treaty relationships with the Persian Gulf sheikhdoms. Bahrain initially joined with eight other states under British protection, in an attempt to form a union of Arab emirates. However, by 1971, the nine sheikhdoms had still not agreed on the terms of the union, prompting Bahrain to declare itself fully independent.

The United Nations played a role in the process, conducting a survey of the Bahraini population, which found that the "overwhelming majority" wished to gain recognition of their identity in a "fully independent and sovereign state". The UN Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 278 on 11 May 1970, and Iran renounced its claim to the island.

On 15 August 1971, Bahrain declared independence from the British, marking this with the signing of a friendship treaty that terminated previous agreements. The country became formally independent as the State of Bahrain on 16 December 1971.

However, Bahrain's independence day is not celebrated on 15 August, but on 16 December, coinciding with the ascension of the late emir, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, to the throne.

The country's name, Bahrain, comes from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'

The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term "al-Bahrayn", which means "two seas". The exact two seas that the name refers to is a matter of debate. Some believe it refers to the bay east and west of the island, the seas north and south of the island, or the salt and fresh water present above and below the ground. Another theory suggests that the two seas were the Great Green Ocean (the Arabian Gulf) and a peaceful lake on the Arabian mainland.

Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands. It is located in the Arabian Gulf, between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and has been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family since 1783. The country has a rich history, having been inhabited by various groups throughout the centuries, including the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Bahrain has long been an important centre for trade and is known for its pearl fisheries. Today, Bahrain's economy relies heavily on the financial, commercial services, and communications sectors, as well as tourism.

Bahrain's population is approximately 1,603,000

As of 2022, Bahrain is estimated to be just over 5,000 years old, with a rich and varied history. The country, comprising a small island group situated between the Qatar peninsula and the north-eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, has a total area of just over 700 square kilometres. Despite its small size, Bahrain has a significant population, estimated to be around 1,603,000 people. This figure represents a massive increase from the country's population of just over 120,000 in 1950.

The population of Bahrain is predominantly urban, with the capital, Manama, and its surrounding metropolitan area, home to the vast majority of the country's residents. Other major population centres include the cities of Riffa and Muharraq. The country's population is relatively young, with a median age of around 31 years. This is due in part to the country's high birth rate, which has contributed to a rapidly growing population.

The population of Bahrain is also quite diverse, with a significant expatriate community. Foreign nationals account for a large proportion of the country's residents, with Indians, Filipinos, and other South and Southeast Asians making up a large portion of the expatriate population. This diversity is reflected in the country's cultural landscape, with a variety of traditions and cuisines influencing Bahraini culture.

The population of Bahrain is mostly made up of Muslims, with Shi'a and Sunni Islam being the most practised faiths. However, there are also small but significant Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist communities, with a number of churches, temples, and other places of worship serving these communities. The country's constitution guarantees religious freedom, and Bahrain is known for its relatively tolerant and secular society.

The population of Bahrain has been shaped by a number of economic and social factors. The country's oil wealth has been a major driver of population growth, with the discovery of oil in the early 20th century leading to a rapid increase in prosperity and attracting migrants from across the region and beyond. More recently, Bahrain's diversification efforts, including investments in banking, tourism, and other service industries, have further contributed to the country's population growth and economic development.

Bahrain is ruled by a constitutional monarchy with a parliament comprising two bodies: the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has been the head of state since 1999. The country's legislative authority is vested in the King and the National Assembly, which is made up of two bodies: the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives.

The Shura Council, also known as the Consultative Council, is the upper house of the National Assembly. It consists of 40 members, all of whom are appointed directly by the King. The Council of Representatives, sometimes translated as the "Chamber of Deputies", is the lower house of the National Assembly and is made up of 40 members who are elected by universal suffrage for four-year terms.

The two councils work together to debate topics of mutual interest or disputed issues. For a law to be passed, it must be approved by both councils and then endorsed by the King. If the councils disagree over a bill twice, the National Assembly convenes, chaired by the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, to discuss the disputed items only. The bill is then passed by a majority vote.

The Speaker of the Council of Representatives is responsible for referring all bills passed by both chambers to the Prime Minister, who then submits them to the King for final approval. The Speaker also chairs meetings of the National Assembly, with the Chairman of the Shura Council taking over in their absence.

The National Assembly also engages in joint activities, such as inter-parliamentary groups and meetings of the Financial and Economic Affairs Committees to discuss the budget draft law. Additionally, the Shura Council assumes all administrative and financial undertakings of the Council of Representatives during periods when the latter is dissolved.

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