Exploring Bahrain: A Compact Kingdom's Intrigue

Bahrain is a small country in the Middle East, officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with a total land area of about 760 square kilometres. The country has a population of about 1.5 million people, with a mix of Bahrainis and foreigners, particularly from Asia. Bahrain's economy has traditionally relied on oil, but it has diversified into other sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and financial services.

Bahrain's population and demographics

Bahrain is a small country with a population of 1,580,000 as of 2021, including more than 800,000 non-nationals (53%). The population is growing, with an estimated 1,607,049 people in mid-2024. The country has a high population density of 2,115 people per square kilometre.

The population is ethnically diverse, with Bahrainis making up 63% and the remaining 37% comprising Asians (19%), other Arabs (10%), and Iranians (8%). The official language is Arabic, but English, Farsi, and Urdu are also widely spoken. The literacy rate is high, at 90%.

The country's population is predominantly Muslim, with approximately 70% Shia and 30% Sunni Muslims. There are also small Christian, Jewish, and Hindu communities.

Most of the population is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq, which offer a stark contrast between modern city life and traditional customs.

The median age in Bahrain is 33.2 years, and the country has a relatively high life expectancy of 77.6 years for males and 82.2 years for females.

Bahrain's economy

Bahrain's nominal GDP was USD 46.0 billion in 2023, with a GDP per capita of USD 28,698, compared to the global average of USD 10,589. The economy recorded an average annual growth of 2.8% in the decade to 2022. Services accounted for 55% of overall GDP in 2021, with manufacturing at 20%, other industrial activity at 25%, and agriculture at 0%. Bahrain's exports were worth USD 30 billion in 2022, while imports were USD 22 billion.

Bahrain has a free economy with 100% foreign ownership in most non-oil sectors. The country has a talented population, the lowest establishment costs in the region, and is an ideal entry point into the Middle East. The Bahrain Economic Development Board helps guide companies through every step of the investment journey, from finding a location for the business to navigating legal requirements.

In recent years, the Bahraini government has undertaken economic reforms to improve financial dependency and boost its image as a tourist destination. Bahrain depends heavily on food imports and has a growing population, relying heavily on meat imports from Australia and importing 75% of its total fruit consumption needs.

Unemployment, depletion of oil and underground water resources, and heavy military expenditure are major long-term economic problems for Bahrain. The country's public debt in 2020 was USD 44.5 billion, or 130% of GDP, and is expected to rise to 155% of GDP in 2026, according to IMF estimates.

Bahrain's history

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands. Bahrain's history is a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, with its strategic location making it a hub for trade and a target for conquest. Here is a detailed overview of Bahrain's history:

Ancient Civilizations: Bahrain was home to several ancient civilizations, including the Dilmun, Tylos (or Tylos-Arados), and Awal. Dilmun, dating back to the Bronze Age, was a prominent trade centre connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Tylos, visited by Alexander the Great's admiral Nearchus, was known for its pearl trade and cotton plantations.

Persian and Arab Rule: Bahrain's location made it a target for various empires, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and Arabs. From the 6th to 3rd century BC, it was part of the Achaemenid Empire, followed by rule from Parthian and Sassanid dynasties.

Portuguese and Safavid Rule: In the 16th century, the Portuguese Empire, allied with Hormuz, seized Bahrain. Their rule lasted about 80 years until they were expelled by Abbas I of Safavid Iran in 1602, marking a shift towards Shia Islam.

Al Khalifa Dynasty: In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribe, along with allied tribes, captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur. Since then, Bahrain has been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with Ahmed al-Fateh as the first hakim.

British Protectorate: In the late 1800s, Bahrain became a protectorate of the United Kingdom through a series of treaties. This period saw infrastructure development, the discovery of oil in 1932, and social reforms.

Independence and Modern Era: Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and has since developed economically, with a focus on banking, tourism, and diversification beyond oil. The country experienced protests inspired by the Arab Spring in 2011, leading to political reforms and an ongoing process of reconciliation.

Bahrain's climate

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

Temperatures moderate in the winter months, from November to March, when the range is between 10 and 20 °C (50 and 68 °F). However, humidity often rises above 90% in the winter. From December to March, prevailing winds from the northwest, known as the shamal, bring damp air over the islands.

Bahrain receives little precipitation. The average annual rainfall is 72 millimeters (2.8 in), usually confined to the winter months. No permanent rivers or streams exist on any of the islands. The winter rains tend to fall in brief, torrential downpours, flooding the shallow wadis that are dry the rest of the year and impeding transportation.

The seas around Bahrain are very shallow, heating up quickly in the summer to produce very high humidity, especially at night. Summer temperatures may reach up to 40 °C (104 °F) under the right conditions. Rainfall in Bahrain is minimal and irregular. Precipitation mostly occurs in winter, with an average of 70.8 millimeters or 2.8 inches of rainfall recorded annually.

Bahrain's geography and natural features

Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East, located in the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with a total area of about 780 square kilometres. The country's highest point is Jabal ad Dukhan, which rises to 134 metres above sea level.

Bahrain is situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf, between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The King Fahd Causeway, a 24-kilometre series of bridges and causeways, connects Bahrain with Saudi Arabia. The country also shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain has a desert climate and is one of the hottest regions in the world. Its summers are very hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 35°C. The combination of poor soil drainage and few storm sewers can result in muddy city streets and puddles. The country experiences infrequent rainfall, which is mostly confined to the winter months, with an average of about 75 millimetres of precipitation per year.

Bahrain's landscape consists mostly of low desert plains, with a central region that is rocky and barren. The northern and northwestern coasts feature a narrow strip of cultivated land with date palms, alfalfa, and vegetables. These garden areas are disappearing due to depleted water resources and development. The country's oil wells are mainly located in the south, where the majority of the land is a desert punctuated by a north-south plateau.

Bahrain's natural resources include large quantities of oil and natural gas, as well as fish in its offshore waters. The country has a rich history, with its ancient Dilmun civilisation, and is known for its large growth of date palms.

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