Exploring Manama, Bahrain: A Unique Gem In Asia

Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, a small Arab state situated in the Persian Gulf. Located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island, Manama is home to a diverse population of around 300,000 people and serves as the country's economic focal point. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands, with a total land area of 760 square kilometres. The country is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway and has a population of approximately 1.5 million, including a significant number of non-nationals. While Bahrain has limited petroleum resources, its economy has diversified in recent years, with growth in the financial, commercial, and tourism sectors.

Manama is the capital of Bahrain

Manama has a long history as an important trading centre in the Persian Gulf. The city was first mentioned in Islamic chronicles around 1345 CE and has been controlled by various empires throughout its history, including the Portuguese and Persians. In 1783, the Al Khalifa dynasty took control of Manama and has ruled Bahrain since then, with brief interruptions.

Manama became the mercantile capital of Bahrain and served as the gateway to the main Bahrain Island. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century spurred rapid growth in the city, and diversification efforts in the 1990s led to expansion in industries such as finance and tourism. Today, Manama is a financial hub in the Middle East and the focal point of Bahrain's economy. It is home to numerous banks and financial institutions, as well as multinational companies.

The city has a diverse population, with just under one-third of its residents hailing from abroad. It is known for its cosmopolitan nature and religious coexistence, with the two main branches of Islam, Shia and Sunni, coexisting for centuries. Manama also has a rich cultural heritage, with sites such as the Bab Al Bahrain and the Manama Souq attracting tourists from around the region.

Bahrain is an archipelago of around 30 islands

Bahrain Island accounts for the majority of the country's land area and is surrounded by smaller islands. Al-Muharraq and Sitrah, located to the northeast, are connected to Bahrain Island by causeways. The Ḥawār Islands, on the other hand, are small and rocky, inhabited primarily by fishermen and quarry workers. They are, however, believed to possess oil and natural gas reserves.

The total land area of Bahrain is slightly larger than that of Singapore, and the country is the third-smallest in Asia. The capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. With a diverse population, Manama serves as a favourite destination for visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain 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 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'.

Bahrain is located in one of the world's chief oil-producing regions, but it has only small stores of petroleum. Instead, its economy has long relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. The country's chief city, port, and capital, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island.

Bahrain is renowned for its groves of date palms and is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. Bahrain has been settled and colonised by various groups, including the Khalīfah family, a native Arab dynasty that has ruled Bahrain since the late 18th century. Recognising the islands' strategic importance, the Khalīfah have opened Bahrain's port facilities to the naval fleets of foreign countries, including the United States.

The state consists of two separate groups of islands, which together extend about 30 miles from north to south and 10 miles from east to west. The island of Bahrain accounts for seven-eighths of the country's total land area and is surrounded by smaller islands. The second group consists of the Hawar Islands, situated near the coast of Qatar.

Bahrain's total land area is slightly larger than that of Singapore. Saudi Arabia lies to the west across the Gulf of Bahrain, while the Qatar peninsula lies to the east. The King Fahd Causeway, a 15-mile-long bridge, links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.

The main island is more varied in appearance than the small islands in both groups, which are rocky and low-lying. The central region of the main island is rocky and barren, rising to 440 feet at Al-Dukhān Hill, the country's highest point. The northern and northwestern coasts feature a narrow belt of date palms and vegetable gardens irrigated by artesian water from springs and wells. The abundance of fresh water has historically provided Bahrain with fertile land, making it an important harbour and trading centre in the Persian Gulf.

Bahrain's climate is arid, with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. Rainfall is minimal and irregular, mostly confined to the winter months. The country experiences abundant sunshine year-round, with the predominant wind being the damp, northwesterly shamāl.

Bahrain's population is ethnically diverse, with roughly half being Arab. The official language is Arabic, although English is widely used and is a compulsory second language in schools.

Bahrain's economy has moved away from oil

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is not part of any continent but is considered part of the Middle East or Western Asia. The country is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands.

Bahrain has invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors, and its finance industry is very successful. The country is recognised by the World Bank as a high-income economy, and its capital, Manama, is an important financial hub in the Middle East. Manama is home to many large financial institutions, and the financial services sector was the single largest non-oil contributor to the Bahraini economy in 2016.

Bahrain has also diversified into other industries, such as manufacturing, refining, trade, and construction. The country is home to Aluminum Bahrain (ALBA), the fourth-largest aluminium plant globally by individual smelter capacity. Additionally, Bahrain has a successful shipbuilding and repair yard, and the Bahrain Petroleum Company refinery was the first in the Persian Gulf.

While oil revenues still constitute a large portion of government revenues, Bahrain has undertaken considerable economic diversification measures, and oil dependence has been declining since the 2000s. Bahrain's GDP grew by 2.45% in 2023, with the non-oil sector showing a robust increase of 4.48%, indicating the country's successful efforts towards economic diversification.

Bahrain has a rich history

Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, has a rich history that dates back to the ancient Dilmun civilisation. Here is a detailed overview of Bahrain's history:

Ancient History

Bahrain was a central site of the Dilmun civilisation, which flourished as a key regional trading hub between Mesopotamia, Magan and the Indus Valley civilisation. The Dilmun civilisation is mentioned in Sumerian cuneiform clay tablets from the end of the fourth millennium BC and in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Bahrain was also a centre of Nestorian Christianity from the 4th to the 8th centuries.

Medieval History

From the 6th to the 3rd century BC, Bahrain was part of the Achaemenid Empire. It then came under the control of the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties, two other Iranian dynasties. During this period, Bahrain was known as Tylos to the ancient Greeks and was famed for its pearl fisheries and cotton plantations.

Portuguese and Persian Rule

In the 16th century, Bahrain was conquered by the Portuguese Empire, which ruled the islands for around 80 years. In 1602, the Portuguese were expelled by Abbas I of Safavid Iran, marking the beginning of Persian Safavid rule, which lasted until the mid-18th century.

Al Khalifa Rule

In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribal confederation invaded Bahrain and overthrew the ruling governor, Nasr Al-Madhkur. This marked the beginning of Al Khalifa rule, with Ahmed al Fateh becoming Bahrain's first hakim. During this period, Bahrain experienced political instability and invasions by the Omanis, Wahhabis, and Persians.

British Protectorate

In the 19th century, Bahrain became a protectorate of the British Empire, with a series of treaties signed between the Al Khalifa tribe and the British. This period saw the development of Bahrain's pearling industry and the discovery of oil in 1932. Bahrain gained independence from Britain in 1971.

Post-Independence

Since independence, Bahrain has undergone significant economic diversification, particularly in the banking and tourism sectors. It has also experienced political unrest, including the 2011 protests inspired by the Arab Spring, and efforts to transition to a constitutional monarchy. Bahrain is currently ruled by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has implemented democratic reforms and improved human rights.

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