Exploring Bahrain: A Country Of Surprising Beauty

Bahrain is a small island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is an archipelago consisting of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with the capital Manama located on the most populated island, Bahrain Island. With a population of around 1.5 million, Bahrain is a Muslim country that has been ruled by the Khalifa family since 1783.

Bahrain is renowned for its date palms and ancient history, believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun. It has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its diverse population of Arabs, Iranians, Indians, and Pakistanis, among others. The country has a unique blend of traditional and modern influences, with a growing economy focused on banking, finance, and tourism.

Bahrain is often described as a relatively liberal and cosmopolitan country in the region, with a tolerant and welcoming attitude towards expats and other cultures. It offers a wide range of attractions, from colourful souks and beautiful beaches to archaeological sites and modern malls. The country also has a vibrant food scene, with a medley of flavours influenced by its diverse population.

Overall, Bahrain is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture, offering a unique blend of traditional and modern experiences for visitors and expats alike.

Bahrain's history and culture

History and Culture of Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of 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'.

History

Bahrain has a long history, with evidence of human inhabitation dating back to 10,000 BC. Archaeologists have confirmed that the island was once the seat of the Dilmun Empire, which spread as far north as Kuwait and into Saudi Arabia between 3200 and 330 BC. Bahrain was one of the earliest areas to be influenced by Islam, during the lifetime of Muhammad in 628 AD. Over the centuries, it has been ruled by various empires, including the Portuguese, Persians, Omanis, and, in the 19th century, the British. Bahrain gained its independence from Britain in 1971.

Culture

Bahrain's culture shares similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Gulf region and is largely based on its Islamic heritage. Bahraini citizens are ethnically diverse, with at least 8-9 different ethnic groups. The population is mostly Muslim, including both Sunni and Shia sects, but the country is tolerant of other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and even a Jewish synagogue present on the island. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken and used as a lingua franca.

Bahrain is known for its hospitality, with a culture of generosity and respect that has developed over thousands of years. Traditional pastimes include falconry, horse riding, and poetry, while football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport. Bahraini cuisine is influenced by its diverse population, with flavours from Iran, Lebanon, India, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the incorporation of Western cuisines.

Society

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies elected by the people and a Shura Council appointed by the King. The country has a mixed public/private healthcare system, and education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Bahrain also has a vibrant media landscape, with weekly and daily newspapers, television, and radio, in Arabic, English, and other languages.

Bahrain's climate and geography

Bahrain is a small, flat, arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf, with a total land area of 665 sq km (257 sq mi) that has increased to 780 sq km (300 sq mi) due to land reclamation. The country is made up of Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass, and 33 natural islands, with an additional 33 artificial islands. The country's landscape is mostly desert, with a low-lying, barren desert surrounding the islands. The interior contains an escarpment that rises to 134m, the highest point on the island, to form Jabal al Dukhan (Mountain of Smoke).

Bahrain has an arid climate, with two seasons: an extremely hot summer and a relatively mild winter. During the summer, from April to October, afternoon temperatures average 40°C (104°F) and can reach 46°C (114.8°F). The combination of intense heat and high humidity makes this season uncomfortable. In addition, a hot, dry southwest wind, known as the qaws, periodically blows sand clouds across the southern end of Bahrain.

In winter, from November to March, temperatures are cooler, with a range of 10-20°C (50-68°F). However, humidity often rises above 90% during this season. From December to March, prevailing winds from the northwest, known as the shamal, bring damp air over the islands.

Bahrain receives little precipitation, with an average annual rainfall of 72mm (2.8 in) that usually falls in the winter months. There are no permanent rivers or streams on the islands, and the winter rains tend to fall in brief, torrential downpours, flooding the shallow wadis. However, there are numerous natural springs in the northern part of Bahrain and on adjacent islands, and underground freshwater deposits extend beneath the Persian Gulf to the Saudi Arabian coast.

Geography

Bahrain Island is surrounded by several of the Middle East's large petroleum fields and commands a strategic position in the Persian Gulf's shipping lanes. The country's capital, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island and is a strikingly modern and cosmopolitan city.

The state consists of two separate groups of islands. The island of Bahrain accounts for seven-eighths of the country's total land area and is surrounded by smaller islands, including Al-Muharraq and Sitrah, which are joined to Bahrain Island by causeways. The second group consists of the Hawar Islands, located near the coast of Qatar, which are small and rocky and inhabited by only a few fishermen and quarry workers.

Demographics

Bahrain's population is estimated to be around 1.5 million, with over two-thirds residing in the capital, Manama. The country is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, with about half of the population being non-Bahraini, mainly from other Arab nations and South Asia. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken, and other languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Farsi are also common among expatriates.

Bahrain's economy

Bahrain's nominal GDP was USD 46.0 billion in 2023, with a GDP per capita of USD 28,698, far above the global average of USD 10,589. The country's average real GDP growth over the last decade was 2.9%. Services accounted for 55% of overall GDP in 2021, with manufacturing making up 20%, other industrial activity 25%, and agriculture 0%. Bahrain's economy recorded average annual growth of 2.8% in the decade to 2022.

Bahrain's pro-innovation business policies and laws give businesses of all sizes the opportunity to thrive, with 100% foreign ownership allowed in most non-oil sectors. The country's strategic location in the Gulf also makes it an ideal entry point to the GCC, the broader Middle East, and North Africa.

Bahrain's people and society

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. The country is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term "al-baḥrayn", meaning "two seas". The country's population is estimated to be 1,603,000 as of 2024, with 712,362 being Bahraini nationals as of 2023. Bahrain is a Muslim country with a Shia majority, ruled by the Khalifa family since 1783. The country's official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken and taught in schools. Bahrain's people are ethnically diverse, with native Bahrainis making up about half of the population, and the other half consisting of foreign-born inhabitants, mainly from Iran, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Culture and Lifestyle

Bahrain's culture shares similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Gulf region. The country's cultural, economic, and political life is governed by Islamic rules, and those from Western nations may find Bahrain highly conservative. However, compared to its neighbours Iran and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is considered relatively liberal and cosmopolitan, with its culture being described as "Middle East lite". Bahraini citizens are known for their tolerance towards other religions, with the country hosting Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a Jewish synagogue.

Bahrainis are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude towards expats and their relaxed attitude towards other cultures. The traditional attire for women is the abaya, a long, loose-fitting black gown, while men typically wear the thobe, a long-sleeved ankle-length garment, along with traditional headdresses such as the keffiyeh, ghutra, and agal.

Football is the most popular sport in Bahrain, along with traditional sports such as horse riding, gazelle hunting, and hare hunting. The country also has a rich tradition of arts, music, and dance, with poetry being a prominent form of artistic expression. Birth and marriage celebrations are a significant part of Bahraini culture, often involving wide-scale festivities.

Social Issues and Human Rights

Bahrain has faced criticism for its human rights record, particularly regarding the treatment of its Shia majority by the ruling Sunni minority. Protests inspired by the Arab Spring in 2011 led to a government crackdown, resulting in thousands of arrests and reports of systematic torture. Issues such as arbitrary arrests, detention without trial, and torture have plagued the country for decades, although some improvements were made under King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who introduced wide-ranging reforms. However, human rights conditions have deteriorated in recent years, with reports of ongoing torture, suppression of dissent, and unfair trials.

Bahrain's government and politics

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy, with the current monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in power since 1999. The King has wide-ranging executive powers, including the ability to appoint the Prime Minister and his ministers, command the army, and chair the Higher Judicial Council. The head of government is the Prime Minister, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as Deputy Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force.

The country has a bicameral legislature, with the Council of Representatives elected by universal suffrage, and the Consultative Council (or Shura Council) appointed directly by the King. The country's first parliamentary elections were held in 1973, but the parliament was dissolved two years later when it rejected the State Security Law.

The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since the late 1700s, with the current monarch's reign beginning in 1999. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, and the current monarch's father, Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, was the ruler at the time.

Bahrain's government has been criticised for violating the human rights of dissidents, political opposition figures, and its Shia Muslim majority. The Shia-Sunni divide between the ruling minority and majority population has led to long-running tensions, which have occasionally boiled over into civil disobedience and protests.

The country's military is known as the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) and includes the Royal Bahraini Army, Royal Bahraini Naval Force, and Royal Bahraini Air Force. The BDF is primarily equipped with US-made equipment, and the country has close relations with the US, hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Economic and Social Policies

Bahrain has a diverse economy, with a focus on banking, tourism, and finance. It was one of the first states in the Gulf to discover oil and build a refinery, although production has never reached the same levels as other countries in the region. The country has a mixed public/private healthcare system, with a high standard of care and minimal waiting times.

The education system in Bahrain is considered one of the best in the Persian Gulf, with a comprehensive and modern public school system. Education is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14, and the country has a number of public and private universities.

Foreign Relations

Bahrain has established bilateral relations with 190 countries and is a member of the United Nations, Non-Aligned Movement, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The country has close relations with the US and participated in military action against the Taliban in 2001, earning the designation of a "major non-NATO ally".

Bahrain has worked to improve relations with Iran and Qatar, with which it had previously had tense relations. A territorial dispute with Qatar was resolved in 2001 by the International Court of Justice, and Iran and Bahrain have sought to encourage trade and increase maritime security cooperation.

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