Bahrain's Geographical Location: Africa Or Not?

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 around 30 smaller islands. It is not in Africa.

Bahrain is not in Africa, it is an island country in West Asia

Bahrain is not in Africa. It is an island country in West Asia, 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'.

Bahrain is a small Arab state with a population of about 1.4 million people. It is ruled by a Sunni king, whose family holds the main political and military posts. The country's capital, port, and chief city is Manama, located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. Manama is a strikingly modern, relaxed, and cosmopolitan city, attracting many visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain has a diverse economy, with a focus on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. The financial, commercial services, and communications sectors have also grown significantly. Additionally, Bahrain has one of the highest rates of internet penetration in the Arab world.

Bahrain has a long history, dating back to ancient times. It is widely believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. The country has been ruled by various groups, including the native Arab dynasty, the Khalīfah family, since the late 18th century. Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and established diplomatic relations with the United States the same year.

Bahrain's name comes from the Arabic words al-baḥrayn, meaning two seas

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated on the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain comes from the Arabic words "al-baḥrayn", which means "two seas".

The exact "two seas" that the name refers to is disputed. However, it is generally thought to be 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.

Bahrain's name is derived from the Arabic word "Bahr", which means "sea". The name has been lexicalised as a feminine proper noun, which is why it is always spelled "Bahrayn" and not "Bahrān", the expected nominative form.

Bahrain is renowned for its date palms and has long been an important centre for trade and natural resources. It is also believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun.

Bahrain has a constitutional monarchy with a Sunni king and a parliament comprising two bodies

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with a Sunni king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has ruled since 1999. The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since the late 1700s. The king has a broad legislative and executive mandate and is the head of the Council of Ministers, which formulates and executes the government's general policy. The king also appoints the prime minister, ministers, and members of the executive power.

The parliament of Bahrain is a bicameral legislature, with the Council of Representatives elected by universal suffrage, and the Consultative Council (also called the Shura Council) appointed directly by the king. The Shura Council has 40 seats, while the Council of Representatives has 40 seats. The Shura Council can veto legislation, and all draft laws must be approved by both councils to pass into law.

Bahrain was formerly an emirate but was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 and has been ruled by the Al Khalifa family since.

Bahrain's economy has diversified away from oil and gas production

Bahrain's banking and financial services sector, particularly Islamic banking, have benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil. Petroleum is Bahrain's most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. However, Bahrain has the smallest hydrocarbon reserves of any Persian Gulf state, producing 48,000 barrels per day from its one onshore field. The country has, therefore, looked to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil and gas.

Bahrain's other significant exports include aluminium, finance, and construction materials. The country has also sought to develop its manufacturing sector, with targeted areas including plastics, fibreglass, chemicals, petrochemicals, and food processing. Additionally, Bahrain has a successful tourism industry, with 11 million visitors in 2019, many of whom were from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain has a well-developed transport and telecommunications infrastructure and is a regional financial and business centre. The country has also benefited from a series of labour reforms, which aim to bring the labour market in line with international standards.

Bahrain is renowned for its groves of date palms

Bahrain Island is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. Bahrain's date palms were a source of natural resources for the region. References to date palms can be found in the Sumerian myth 'Enki and Ninhursag', which tells the story of the beginning of the world in the garden of paradise known as Dilmun. Legend also has it that the date palm was the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden.

Date palms were a fundamental source of life for Bahrainis. Every single part of the palm tree had a purpose. The trunks were used as timber for building structures and fuel; the leaves were used to construct traditional houses, fences for farms and chicken coops; the leaflets were used to weave mats, baskets, and hand fans; the leaf midribs were used to assemble fish traps and bird cages; and the fruit spikelets were used to make hand brooms, baskets, and fish cages.

Bahrain was also known for a customary and refreshing drink extracted from the male date palm spathes and pollen. Even the culled date fruits and seeds were used as cattle feed. Date palms were also used as shelter for birds.

However, the discovery of oil has reduced interest in date palm cultivation. Other factors such as socioeconomic changes, climate, freshwater scarcity, and the spread of pests have also affected date palm cultivation. The number of date palms in Bahrain has decreased from 892,000 in the 1970s to 534,600 in 2015. Despite these challenges, Bahrain is striving to care for date palms as a state symbol and national treasure.

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