Bahrain: Man-Made Island Or Natural Wonder?

Bahrain is an island country that comprises 51 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. The Persian Gulf nation has plans to build more artificial islands, which will double its land mass. This is because Bahrain lacks land and wants to boost its economy. However, this has already had a negative impact on the country's marine life, with fish populations being driven away from the shallow coastal waters.

Bahrain is building lavish artificial islands to compensate for its lack of land

Bahrain is a small island country in the Middle East, comprising 51 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. However, Bahrain lacks land, and so it is building lavish artificial islands to compensate. The country aims to double its land mass through these construction projects, but this comes at a steep cost to its marine life.

Bahrain's small archipelago already includes more than 30 natural and artificial islands. The northernmost city-island, Muharraq, has been slowly expanding since the 1960s and is now four times its original size due to reclamation. The country has a history of coastal alterations, having expanded from 258 square miles to more than 300 square miles in 2021, making it larger than Singapore.

Bahrain now plans to build five new artificial islands, which will contain five new cities and increase the nation's landmass by 60%. This $30 billion project is part of an ambitious plan to diversify Bahrain's economy away from oil and towards private businesses, manufacturing, and tourism. The new islands will add 180 square miles of land and are being designed to accommodate an airport, luxury residences, and waterfront resorts, while supposedly protecting natural habitats.

However, the construction of these artificial islands has significant environmental costs. The process of reclaiming land from the sea involves dredging the seafloor, which destroys seagrass beds that provide food and nurseries for fish and other marine species. This has already driven fish populations away from the shallow coastal waters, impacting local fishermen's livelihoods. Additionally, the dredged material often contains silt that covers and damages coral reefs, further reducing marine biodiversity.

While Bahrain's artificial islands are intended to drive economic development, the country faces a delicate balance between expanding its land area and preserving its vibrant marine ecosystems.

The Persian Gulf nation's plan will double its land mass, threatening marine life

Bahrain, a small Persian Gulf nation, is planning to double its land mass by building five new artificial islands. This ambitious <$30 billion plan> is aimed at reviving the country's economy post-pandemic and shifting it from an oil-based economy to one driven by private businesses, manufacturing, and tourism. While this expansion is expected to bring economic growth, it also poses a significant threat to the region's already struggling marine life.

Bahrain's current population of 1.8 million is supported by a land area of over 300 square miles, which includes more than 30 natural and artificial islands. The proposed five new islands will add another 180 square miles to the nation's landmass. These islands will be designed to accommodate an airport, luxury residences, and waterfront resorts, with a focus on sustainability and protecting natural habitats.

However, the construction of these islands will likely have detrimental effects on the marine ecosystem. The process of reclaiming land from the sea involves dredging the seafloor, which disturbs the seabed and drives fish populations away from the shallow coastal waters. This has already been observed with the construction of previous artificial islands in Bahrain, where local fishermen have reported a decline in fish stocks.

The Persian Gulf, known for its extensive reefs and abundant pearl oysters, has a unique and diverse marine life. However, its ecology has been damaged by industrialization and oil spills. The construction of artificial islands will only add to this stress, particularly in areas with rich marine life such as coral reefs and mangroves. Scientists have expressed concern about the potential loss of biodiversity and the negative impact on marine species that depend on these habitats.

The environmental consequences of Bahrain's land reclamation projects are significant. A study by the Bahrain Parliament and the Fishermen's Protection Society revealed a decrease in fish diversity from over 400 species to less than 50 due to land reclamation projects between 2008 and 2009. Additionally, scientists have warned that the construction of artificial islands could have been managed differently by utilizing ecologically poor sites rather than those rich in wildlife.

As Bahrain moves forward with its plans to expand its land area, it is crucial to carefully consider the potential impact on the region's marine life and explore alternative approaches that balance economic development with environmental conservation.

Bahrain consists of 33 natural islands and several man-made islands

Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East, comprising 51 islands in total, of which 33 are natural and several are man-made. The Kingdom of Bahrain includes most of the archipelago known as the Bahrain Islands.

Bahrain has been expanding its landmass by building artificial islands, with a view to boosting its economy and developing the nation. The Persian Gulf nation's plan will double its land mass, with five new artificial islands containing five new cities to be built by the end of the decade. The new islands will add 180 square miles to Bahrain's area, increasing the nation's landmass by 60%.

The capital of Bahrain, Manama, is located on Bahrain Island, where the majority of the population resides. Bahrain Island is the largest island in the archipelago. The second-largest island is Muharraq, which has expanded to four times its original size due to reclamation.

The Amwaj Islands are a group of man-made islands located in the Persian Gulf, near the coast of Muharraq Island. They are known for their luxury villas, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and retail outlets. The Hawar Islands, split between Bahrain and Qatar, are another popular destination, featuring wildlife such as endangered green turtles, dugongs, and seabirds.

Other notable man-made islands in Bahrain include Diyar Al Muharraq, a complex of seven artificial islands; Durrat Al Bahrain, a cluster of 15 fish- and crescent-shaped islands; and Reef Island, located just north of downtown Manama.

The Amwaj Islands, an artificial island chain, is in its final phase of construction

Bahrain, a small Persian Gulf nation, has been expanding its landmass through the creation of artificial islands. The country has a mix of 33 natural islands and several man-made ones, with plans to build more. One such project, the Amwaj Islands, is an artificial island chain in its final phase of construction.

The Amwaj Islands are located in the Persian Gulf, off the north coast of Muharraq Island, which is the northernmost island of Bahrain. The islands were reclaimed from the relatively shallow seas to the northeast of Muharraq. This project began taking form in 2002, with the first phase completed in 2003 and the second in 2004. By 2016, the Amwaj Islands had completed essential infrastructure, including electricity, roads, water, sewerage, and telecoms, making them ready for residential use.

The Amwaj Islands cover an area of 4.31 square kilometres and are connected to Muharraq Island by two causeways, each about 1 kilometre in length. The islands are approximately 10.5 kilometres northeast of Manama, Bahrain's capital, and only 4.5 kilometres from Bahrain International Airport.

The Amwaj Islands were developed with an investment of 1.5 billion US dollars by Ossis Property Development. The project aimed to offer 100% freehold land ownership to expatriates living in Bahrain and increase the supply of waterfront property, which is in short supply in this small island nation.

Over the years, the Amwaj Islands have become a thriving destination, featuring residential, commercial, and hotel buildings. Luxury villas and hotels line the canals, and the islands offer a variety of amenities, including a beauty salon, restaurants, and a circular marina with over 140 berths. The islands have also introduced new technologies to the region, such as geotubes for reclamation, vacuum sewerage, and fibre optic "Smart City" technology.

Bahrain's proposed five new islands are part of a $30 billion plan to boost the economy

Bahrain, a small archipelago in the Persian Gulf, is comprised of more than 30 natural and artificial islands. Due to its small size, the country has long been creating artificial islands to increase its landmass.

In August 2024, Bahrain announced a $30 billion post-pandemic investment plan to boost its economy. The project, known as Vision 2030, aims to diversify the country's economy away from oil and towards private businesses, manufacturing, and tourism. The plan includes 22 new development projects, such as Bahrain's first metro system and a new causeway to Saudi Arabia.

A key component of the $30 billion plan is the construction of five new artificial islands, which will increase the country's landmass by 60%. These islands will be located off the coast at Fasht al-Jarm, Suhaila Island, Fasht al-Azem, Bahrain Bay, and the Hawar Islands. The islands are expected to add 180 square miles of land and will be designed to accommodate an airport, luxury residences, and waterfront resorts.

While the Bahraini government touts the new islands as sustainable and protective of natural habitats, there are significant environmental concerns. The Persian Gulf is already under stress due to its high salinity and warm temperatures, and the construction of artificial islands will further impact the region's marine life. Previous island-building projects in Bahrain have altered the seabed, driving fish populations away from coastal waters and damaging coral reefs.

The construction of the five new islands will likely have similar consequences, with potential impacts on coral reefs, mangroves, and fish diversity. Despite these environmental concerns, Bahrain is forging ahead with its plans, prioritizing economic development over ecological preservation.

Frequently asked questions