Bahrain is an island country in Western Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of around 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with the capital, Manama, located on the largest island, Bahrain Island. Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway and is bordered by Qatar to the east and Iran to the north. The name Bahrain means 'two seas' in Arabic, and the country is renowned for its date palms and archaeological sites.
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Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East
Bahrain is situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway. It is the third-smallest nation in Asia, spanning some 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Manama.
Bahrain has a rich history, with archaeological evidence suggesting that it is the site of the ancient Dilmun civilisation. It has long been famed for its pearl fisheries, which were considered the best in the world until the 19th century. Today, Bahrain is known for its verdant groves of date palms.
The country has a population of around 1.5 million people, with a mix of Bahrainis and expatriates, mainly from other Arab nations and South Asia. Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken. Bahrain has a constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral legislature consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Shura Council appointed by the King.
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 banking, finance, and tourism. The country also has a growing agricultural sector, producing fish, vegetables, and fruits.
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It is situated in the Persian Gulf
Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 50 smaller islands, with 33 of these being artificial. The country is located between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, with a connection to the latter via the King Fahd Causeway. The capital and largest city of Bahrain is Manama.
The Persian Gulf is a mediterranean sea in West Asia, extending from the Indian Ocean and located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. Covering an area of around 87,000 square miles, it has a maximum depth of around 330 feet and an average depth of 115 feet. The body of water is bordered by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.
The Persian Gulf is strategically important as it is the only maritime outlet from the Persian Gulf into the Gulf of Oman, the Indian Ocean, and the rest of the world. The region is a significant producer of oil, generating nearly a third of the world's supply and holding over half of the world's crude oil reserves.
Bahrain is situated in the northwest of the Persian Gulf, with Saudi Arabia to its west and Qatar to its east. The archipelago is spread across around 30 miles from north to south and 10 miles from east to west. The country's main island, Bahrain Island, makes up around 83% of its total landmass.
The Persian Gulf has a hot climate, with high temperatures and humidity. Rainfall is rare, and the little that occurs is mostly confined to the winter months. Strong winds, dust storms, and haze are common during the summer. The Shamal, a north-westerly wind, is prevalent during this season.
The waters of the Persian Gulf are generally shallow, with a maximum depth of around 330 feet and an average depth of 115 feet. The gulf is bordered by a mix of cliffs and sandy beaches, with many small islands enclosing lagoons. The Iranian shore is mountainous, while the Arabian shore features fewer cliffs and more sandy coastlines.
The Persian Gulf has a diverse range of wildlife, including dugongs, dolphins, finless porpoises, and various bird species. However, industrialisation and oil spills have damaged the region's ecology.
The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term "al-baḥrayn," meaning "two seas." This name has been the subject of debate, with various theories proposed regarding the specific seas to which it refers.
Bahrain has a rich history, with archaeological evidence suggesting it was the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a prominent trade centre. Over the centuries, it has been ruled by various groups, including the Portuguese Empire and the Al Khalifa royal family, who continue to reign today.
In summary, Bahrain is an island nation strategically positioned in the Persian Gulf, benefiting from its proximity to neighbouring countries and its role as a maritime outlet to the Indian Ocean. The Persian Gulf region is known for its oil production and reserves, contributing significantly to the global economy.
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Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and 30+ smaller islands
Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, consisting of Bahrain Island and over 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'. The country is situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway.
Bahrain Island is the largest island in the archipelago and accounts for around 83% of the country's landmass. The capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The island is surrounded by smaller islands, including Al-Muharraq and Sitrah to the northeast, which are connected to Bahrain Island by causeways. Other nearby islands include Nabī Ṣāliḥ, Al-Muḥammadiyyah (Umm al-Ṣabbān), and Jiddah.
The second group of islands consists of the Ḥawār Islands, located about 12 miles southeast of Bahrain Island. The Ḥawār Islands are believed to hold petroleum and natural gas reserves.
The total land area of Bahrain is slightly larger than that of Singapore, covering approximately 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi). Bahrain's landscape is mostly low-lying and barren desert, with outcroppings of limestone forming hills, cliffs, and ravines. The interior features an escarpment that rises to the country's highest point, the Mountain of Smoke, at 134 metres (440 ft) above sea level.
The climate in Bahrain is arid, with an average annual temperature of 28°C. Summers are very hot and humid, with temperatures frequently exceeding 32°C. Winters are cooler and more pleasant, with temperatures dipping to around 21°C. Rainfall is minimal and irregular, mostly occurring during the winter months.
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Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway
Bahrain is a small Arab state in the Middle East, 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 means "two seas" in Arabic. The country is renowned for its lush groves of date palms.
The King Fahd Causeway is 25 kilometres long and features two 12-metre-wide double lanes separated by one metre. It connects Khobar in Saudi Arabia to Al Jasra in Bahrain. The causeway has five bridges that rest on 536 concrete pylons, with seven embankments in the Gulf's shallower water. One of the 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, known as Mother of Sleepiness, belongs to Bahrain.
The causeway was constructed in three segments, starting from Saudi Arabia. The project cost a total of US$800 million and was completed in 1986. As of 2010, an estimated 25,104 vehicles used the causeway daily, with a total of 19.1 million passengers crossing the causeway that year.
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Bahrain's capital and largest city is Manama
Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. Bahrain's capital and largest city is Manama, which is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. With a population of around 297,502 as of 2012, Manama is home to approximately one-fifth of Bahrain's total population.
Manama has a rich history, having been an important trading centre in the Persian Gulf for centuries. The city was first mentioned in Islamic chronicles around 1345 CE and was subsequently occupied by the Portuguese in 1521 and the Persians in 1602. Since 1783, Manama has been held by the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty, with brief interruptions.
Manama has played a significant role in Bahrain's economy, particularly in the pearling industry, fishing, boatbuilding, and import trade. However, the discovery of petroleum in Bahrain in 1932 revolutionised the city's economy, leading to the construction of modern buildings and infrastructure. Today, Manama is a major financial centre, known for its glass and steel skyscrapers. It is also a popular tourist destination, offering a vibrant nightlife, including clubs and bars, and attractions such as the Bab el-Bahrain souk, known for its perfumes, spices, and gold.
Manama's diverse population reflects its historical role as a trading hub. The city has a well-developed road network and is the focal point of Bahrain's economy, with a strong focus on financial services. It is also known for its cultural sites, such as the Bab Al Bahrain and the adjacent souq area.
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Frequently asked questions
Bahrain is in Asia.
The name Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama.
The population of Bahrain is around 1.5 million.