Exploring Bahrain: Country Or City?

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a main island, Al Bahrayn, and several smaller islands and islets. The capital and largest city is Manama, which is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The country has a population of around 1.5 million people and is known for its subtropical climate, desert vegetation, and ethnic diversity. Bahrain has a predominantly Muslim population, with a mix of Shia and Sunni Muslims. It has a history of pearl diving and trading and is also involved in the petroleum and aluminium industries.

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf

Bahrain's total land area is slightly larger than that of Singapore, covering 780 square kilometres (300 square miles). The country's population is around 1.5 million, with more than 800,000 non-nationals. Bahrain is predominantly Muslim, with a mix of Shia and Sunni Muslims making up around 70% and 30% of the population, respectively.

Bahrain has a rich history, believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. The country gained importance as a harbour and trading centre due to its abundant fresh water sources. Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 to 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas the Great of Safavid Iran. The current ruling family, the Al Khalifa, has been in power since 1783.

Bahrain's economy has traditionally relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. However, in recent years, the country has diversified into other sectors, including financial services, tourism, and aluminium smelting. Bahrain is also known for its pearl-diving and trading tradition, with its pearl fisheries considered the best in the world until the 19th century.

The country has a subtropical climate, with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. Bahrain is an ethnically diverse nation, with a mix of Arab, Asian, and other ethnic groups, making it a fascinating blend of cultures and traditions.

Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni king

The king enjoys wide-ranging executive powers, including the ability to appoint the prime minister and ministers, command the army, and chair the Higher Judicial Council. He can also appoint the upper house of the National Assembly and dissolve the lower house.

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Arabian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The capital and largest city is Manama.

Bahrain has a population of around 1.5 million, with about 700,000 Bahraini nationals. The country has a mixed economy, with the government controlling many basic industries, and is known for its petroleum and aluminium industries.

The country has a Sunni Muslim ruling family despite having a Shia Muslim majority, which has led to long-running tensions and civil disobedience.

Bahrain's economy has diversified away from oil

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 some 30 smaller islands. The country's economy has traditionally been heavily dependent on oil and gas, which still play a dominant role. However, Bahrain has also invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors, and its finance industry is very successful.

Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and its efforts to move away from oil have been recognised by the World Bank, which classifies it as a high-income economy. Bahrain's banking and financial services sector has benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil, and petroleum is Bahrain's most exported product. However, the country has also developed other industries, including aluminium smelting, iron pelletisation, fertilisers, offshore banking, ship repairing, and tourism.

Bahrain was one of the first Gulf states to discover oil, but, unlike its neighbours, it has little oil wealth. As a result, it has expanded into other sectors, including banking, heavy industries, retail, and tourism. Bahrain is now the main banking hub for the Persian Gulf and a centre for Islamic finance.

In recent years, Bahrain has continued to diversify its economy, with manufacturing, refining, tourism, trade, and finance all playing a more prominent role. The country has also sought to integrate better with global markets through initiatives like the free trade agreement with the US in 2006.

Despite these diversification efforts, Bahrain's economy remains closely connected to oil prices, and low oil prices since 2014 have impacted the country's credit risk and liquidity situation. Oil revenues still constitute a large portion of government revenues, and Bahrain has developed current account deficits in recent years, with its fiscal deficit rising and its foreign reserves shrinking. However, the country has also seen success in other sectors, with the non-oil sector showing robust growth in 2023.

Overall, Bahrain's economy is in a race against time to pivot further from oil, and while it faces fiscal challenges, the growth of its non-oil sector is expected to support economic growth in the coming years.

Bahrain's capital and largest city is Manama

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Arabian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands. The country's name is derived from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'. Bahrain is renowned for its date palms and has long been an important entrepôt for trade in the region.

Manama has been an important commercial centre in the Persian Gulf for centuries, with a traditional economy based on pearling, fishing, boatbuilding, and trade. The discovery of oil in 1932 revolutionised the city's economy and appearance, with the construction of modern buildings. Manama has since developed as a trade, financial, and commercial hub, and is the seat of numerous banks.

Manama was designated as the 2012 capital of Arab culture by the Arab League, and a beta global city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network in 2018. The city has a well-developed road network, with the discovery of oil in the early 1930s accelerating the creation of multiple roads and highways. Manama is also home to Bahrain's main seaport, Mina Salman, and the country's international airport is located on the nearby island of Muharraq.

Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Arabian Gulf and comprises a small archipelago made up of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass. The capital and largest city is Manama.

The US Naval presence in Bahrain dates back to 1948, and the country has provided a base for the US Military since the early 1990s. The headquarters for Commander, United States Naval Forces Central Command, and the US Fifth Fleet are located in Juffair, with around 6,000 US military personnel present. Bahrain's strategic location in the Persian Gulf has made it an important site for the US Military, and the two countries have close relations, with the US designating Bahrain as a major non-NATO ally in 2001 and 2002.

The presence of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain contributes to the projection of US naval power in the Middle East and has played a role in recent military conflicts in the region, such as the Global War on Terrorism and the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. The Fifth Fleet also works in conjunction with Naval Forces Central Command to oversee naval task forces monitoring maritime activity in the region.

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