Exploring Bahrain's Neighbors And Their Proximity

Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East, situated in the Persian Gulf off the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia and the east coast of Qatar. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway. Bahrain shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The country is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands.

Bahrain is situated in the Persian Gulf, with Qatar to its east and Saudi Arabia to its west

Bahrain is an island country situated in the Persian Gulf, with Qatar to its east and Saudi Arabia to its west. The Kingdom of Bahrain consists of Bahrain Island and 33 of the 37 Bahrain Islands, with the capital city of Manama located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The islands lie in the Gulf of Bahrain, an inlet of the Persian Gulf, about 25km (15 miles) off the east coast of Saudi Arabia and 28km (17 miles) from Qatar. The total area of the country is about 694 square kilometres (268 sq mi), or 780 square kilometres according to some sources, making it about four times the size of Washington, D.C.

Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, a series of bridges and causeways. The country shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain's geography can be described as a flat, arid desert archipelago in the Persian Gulf, with less than 3% of the country being arable land. The highest point in the country is Jabal ad Dukhan (Mountain of Smoke), which rises to 134m (440 ft) above sea level.

Bahrain has a population of approximately 1.5 million people, including a significant number of expatriates. The official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken, and the country follows Islamic law, with Sharia as a principal source for legislation. Bahrain's economy has traditionally relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries, but the financial, commercial services, and tourism sectors have also become important in recent years.

The King Fahd Causeway is a series of bridges and causeways that connect Bahrain to Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is connected to its eastern neighbour, Saudi Arabia, by the King Fahd Causeway. This series of bridges and causeways is a remarkable feat of engineering, spanning 15 to 25 kilometres (9 to 15.5 miles) across the Gulf of Bahrain.

The idea of a bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had been of great interest to both kingdoms for generations. The project was initially proposed during an official visit by King Saud to Bahrain in 1954, with the aim of strengthening the bonds between the two countries. It was not until 1965, however, that plans for the causeway began to take shape, when the Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalifah ibn Sulman Al Khalifah, visited King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.

The King Fahd Causeway was constructed in three segments, starting from Al-Aziziyyah in Saudi Arabia, to the Border Station on Passport Island, then from the Border Station to Nasan Island in Bahrain, and finally from Nasan Island to Al-Jasra on the main island of Bahrain. The causeway consists of five bridges resting on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower waters. One of these embankments, known as Middle Island, has been converted into an artificial island with customs and immigration facilities, a mosque, gardens, and fast-food restaurants. Another island towards the end of the causeway, Umm an Nasan, belongs to Bahrain.

The construction of the causeway began in 1981 and was completed in 1986, with the official inauguration taking place in the presence of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain. The causeway has strengthened bilateral relations and regional defence and has benefited both countries economically and politically. It has also led to some changes in infrastructure, such as Bahrain switching from driving on the left to driving on the right in 1967 to align with its neighbouring countries.

The King Fahd Causeway is a significant transportation link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with an estimated 25,104 vehicles using it daily as of 2010. The total number of travellers across the causeway in 2010 was 19.1 million passengers, averaging 52,450 passengers per day. The causeway has also become a tourist attraction, with visitors marvelling at the engineering feat and enjoying the beautiful water scenery.

Bahrain shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and 30-33 smaller islands. The country is located in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf, with Qatar to the east and Saudi Arabia to the west. Bahrain shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

The country's proximity to its neighbouring countries has played a significant role in its history and economy. The King Fahd Causeway, a series of bridges and causeways, connects Bahrain to the Arabian Peninsula and Saudi Arabia. This infrastructure has facilitated travel and trade between the countries.

Bahrain's economy has traditionally relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. However, in recent years, the financial, commercial services, and tourism sectors have also grown significantly. The country's capital, Manama, is a popular destination for visitors from neighbouring countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.

In addition to its maritime borders, Bahrain also has close cultural and political ties with its neighbours. The country has a predominantly Muslim population, with a mix of Shia and Sunni Muslims. The ruling family of Bahrain, the Al Khalifa, has ruled the country since the late 18th century and has played a crucial role in the region's politics.

Overall, Bahrain's geographic location and maritime borders have influenced its economy, culture, and political relationships with its neighbouring countries.

Bahrain has a population of 1.5 million, with more than 800,000 non-nationals

Bahrain is a small island nation in the Middle East, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy. The country has a population of around 1.5 million people, with more than 800,000 non-nationals. This means that non-nationals make up over 50% of Bahrain's population.

Bahrain is a diverse country, with a mix of cultures, ethnicities and religions. The country is predominantly Muslim, with around 70% of the population following the Shia branch of Islam and 30% following Sunni Islam. However, there are also significant Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Baháʼí, Buddhist and Sikh communities. The population is spread across five governorates: the Capital Manama, Muharraq, Northern, Central and Southern.

Most of Bahrain's population is concentrated in the two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. The country has a high population density, with over 1.5 million people living in an area of just 760 square kilometres. Bahrain's population has been steadily increasing over the years, with the number of citizens growing from 621,000 in 1999 to an estimated 1.59 million in 2020.

Bahrain's population includes a mix of indigenous Bahrainis and immigrants, primarily from South and Southeast Asia. According to a 2012 report, the immigrant population included around 350,000 Indians, 150,000 Bangladeshis, 110,000 Pakistanis, 40,000 Filipinos and 8,000 Indonesians. The country also attracts expatriates from Western countries, with an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 people from the United Kingdom living in Bahrain in 2023.

Bahrain's diverse population is a result of its history as a centre for trade and pearl fisheries, as well as its more recent development as a financial hub. The country has a growing economy, with a growth rate of 7.4% on average, and has invested in sectors such as banking, tourism and petroleum processing. Bahrain's strategic location and diverse population have made it a key player in the region, known for its cultural tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral National Assembly

Bahrain's National Assembly consists of two chambers: the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives. The Shura Council is the upper house of the National Assembly, with 40 members appointed by the king. The Council of Representatives is the lower house, with 40 members elected by absolute majority vote to serve four-year terms.

The country's first parliamentary elections were held in 1973, but two years later, the emir dissolved the parliament and suspended the constitution after it rejected the State Security Law. Bahrain became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002, and the country held three parliamentary elections between 2002 and 2010.

The divide between the Shia majority and the Sunni rulers has led to long-running tensions, which have occasionally escalated into civil disobedience. In 2011, the monarchy crushed a popular pro-democracy protest movement and systematically eliminated a broad range of political rights and civil liberties.

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