Exploring Bahrain: A Visual Journey Through The Kingdom

Bahrain is a small, flat and arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with Iran lying 124 nautical miles to the north. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 33 islands, mostly desert, with the capital Manama lying on Bahrain Island, the most densely populated area.

Bahrain is a Muslim country that has been ruled by the Khalifa family since 1783. It has a bicameral legislature made up of a Chamber of Deputies elected by the people and a Shura Council appointed by the King. The country's culture shares many similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Gulf region, with Islamic rules governing cultural, economic and political life.

Bahrain's landscape is mostly desert, with a central plateau and a narrow strip of land along the northern and northwestern coasts cultivated with date palms, alfalfa and vegetables. The country has a desert climate, with extremely hot and uncomfortable summers and mild winters.

Bahrain has a mixed public/private healthcare system offering a high standard of care with almost non-existent waiting times. The country's public health service is free or very low cost to both nationals and non-nationals.

Bahrain's economy has diversified into areas such as banking, finance and tourism, although oil and natural gas still play a dominant role. The country has a well-developed road network, with most of its excellent road system concentrated in and around Manama.

Geography and Climate

Bahrain is a small, flat, arid archipelago in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and consists of a small archipelago of 33 islands, mostly desert, with the capital, Manama, lying on Bahrain Island. Bahrain is the third-smallest nation in Asia, with a total land area of 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi).

Bahrain's climate is extremely hot and uncomfortable in the summer, with temperatures reaching 50°C, and mild in the winter, with temperatures hovering around 10 to 20°C. The summer months (between April and October) are very hot and humid, with temperatures frequently coinciding with high humidity. From May to October, midday temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) and often reach 95 °F (35 °C) or higher. Summer nights are sultry and humid. Winters are cooler and more pleasant, with mean temperatures from December to March dipping to 70 °F (21 °C).

Bahrain sees very little rainfall, which usually comes in short, intense downpours lasting less than an hour. The average annual rainfall is 70mm, although this can vary from almost nothing to double that amount. Rainfall is confined to the winter months, from December to March, and on average, rain falls on about 10 days a year. Sunshine is abundant year-round.

Bahrain has traditionally been a safe destination for travellers, with low crime rates. However, recent political unrest has caused problems in the country.

History

Bahrain, an archipelago in the Persian Gulf, has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a prosperous trading centre that traded with ancient Sumer. The archipelago was ruled by various groups, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Portuguese, Arabs, and the British.

Ancient Times

Bahrain was part of the ancient Dilmun civilisation, which was a prosperous trading centre. Dilmun first appears in Sumerian clay tablets from the end of the fourth millennium BC. From the sixth to the third century BC, Bahrain was part of the Achaemenid Empire, an Iranian dynasty.

3rd Century BC to 7th Century AD

From the third century BC to the arrival of Islam in the seventh century AD, Bahrain was ruled by two other Iranian dynasties, the Parthians and the Sassanids. In the third century AD, the Sassanids defeated Sanatruq, the ruler of Bahrain, and appointed Shapur I as governor. Shapur constructed a new city, Batan Ardashir, and Bahrain became a province of the Sassanids.

7th Century AD to 16th Century

Bahrain embraced Islam in 629 CE, and Muhammad ruled Bahrain through his representative, Al-Ala'a Al-Hadhrami. During the Umayyad Caliphate, Al Khamis Mosque, one of the earliest mosques, was founded in 692 CE. Bahrain was a hub for intellectuals for hundreds of years, from the early days of Islam in the sixth century to the 18th century.

9th Century to 11th Century

Around 900 CE, Abu Sa'id al-Hasan al-Jannabi led the Qarmatian revolution, a rebellion by a messianic Ismaili sect. Al-Jannabi took over Bahrain's capital, Hajr, and established a utopian society based on reason and equality. The Qarmatians sacked Mecca in 930, bringing back the sacred Black Stone. In 976, the Qarmatians were defeated by the Abbasids, and their power waned.

11th Century to 13th Century

In 1076, the Uyunid dynasty overthrew the Qarmatians and ruled Bahrain for 163 years. The state of Al-Hasa was the first capital, followed by Qatif, Awal (modern-day Bahrain), and Qatif again. The Uyunids were Shia or Sunni, and their rule extended to Kuwait.

13th Century to 18th Century

In 1253, the Bedouin Usfurids of Banu Uqayl gained control of Bahrain, ending over a hundred years of Persian rule. In the mid-15th century, the Jabrids, a Bedouin dynasty based in Al-Ahsa, ruled Bahrain. In 1521, the Portuguese Empire, allied with Hormuz, seized Bahrain from the Jabrid ruler Muqrin ibn Zamil. The Portuguese depended mainly on Sunni Persian governors and were expelled in 1602 by Abbas I of Safavid Iran, giving impetus to Shia Islam.

18th Century to 19th Century

In 1783, the Bani Utbah and allied tribes captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur, and it has been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family since. In the late 1800s, Bahrain became a British protectorate following successive treaties. In 1820, the Al Khalifa tribe was recognised by the United Kingdom as the rulers of Bahrain. In 1868, another agreement was signed, making Bahrain part of the British protectorate.

20th Century to Present

Bahrain declared independence in 1971 and became a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002. In 2011, the country experienced protests inspired by the Arab Spring, with the ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family criticised for violating human rights. Bahrain has a bicameral National Assembly and a small but well-equipped military.

Economy

Bahrain's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, with petroleum and natural gas being the country's only significant natural resources. Oil comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues and accounts for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. The country has the world's second-highest-valued currency unit, and its finance industry is very successful, with the country being named the world's fastest-growing financial center by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index in 2008. Bahrain has also invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors, with the country's capital, Manama, being home to many large financial structures.

Bahrain has the fourth-freest economy in the Middle East and North Africa region and is the 40th-freest economy in the world, according to the 2020 Index of Economic Freedom. The country has a solid banking sector and is a developed financial hub, with a more diversified economy compared to its GCC neighbors. Bahrain is also the eighth-largest exporter of aluminum in the world, and its causeway to Saudi Arabia supports tourism flows.

Bahrain has a positive and relatively stable investment climate and maintains a business-friendly environment, actively attracting foreign investment and business. The country has a liberal approach to foreign investment and offers a variety of incentives to attract FDI, such as assistance in registering and opening business operations, exemption from import duties, and duty-free access to other GCC markets. Bahrain permits 100% foreign ownership of new industrial entities and the establishment of representative offices or branches of foreign companies without local sponsors or partners. The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) plays a crucial role in enhancing the country's investment climate by facilitating the entry of international investors and expanding the sectors open to 100% foreign ownership.

Bahrain's economy has traditionally been defined by oil and gas, but this sector now makes up less than 20% of the country's GDP. The country is working to diversify its economy away from its limited oil supplies and has expanded into banking, heavy industries, retail, and tourism. Bahrain is the main banking hub for the Persian Gulf and a center for Islamic finance, benefiting from the regional boom driven by the demand for oil.

The country has a high level of public debt and is fiscally dependent on oil and aluminum sales, making it vulnerable to volatility in commodity prices. Bahrain's government has implemented new policies to address its debt burden, such as increasing the value-added tax to 10%. The country joined the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting in 2018 and is committed to the global minimum corporate tax.

Bahrain's long-term development plan focuses on creating quality jobs for citizens, attracting FDI, launching major strategic projects, developing priority sectors, and achieving fiscal sustainability and economic stability. The government has identified infrastructure projects, including the creation of five new island cities, to stimulate post-pandemic growth and drive the economic recovery plan.

Culture and Demographics

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. The name 'Bahrain' comes from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'. The country's chief city, port, and capital, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island.

The population of Bahrain is ethnically diverse, with at least 8-9 different ethnic groups of Bahraini citizens. Around half of the population is Arab, and most inhabitants are native-born Bahrainis, with some Palestinians, Omanis, or Saudis. Foreign-born residents make up more than half of the population, with immigrants from Iran, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States constituting a large portion of this group. The official language of Bahrain is Arabic, but English is widely used and taught in schools. Other commonly spoken languages include Persian, Urdu, Hindi, and Tagalog.

The state religion of Bahrain is Islam, with the population including both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Bahrain is tolerant of other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a now-defunct Jewish synagogue present on the island. The country has the largest Christian minority within the Arab states of the Arabian Gulf, with approximately 10% of the population identifying as Christian, and a small number of Jewish citizens.

Bahrain is known for its cosmopolitanism, with its citizens being ethnically and religiously diverse. The culture of Bahrain is similar to that of its Arab neighbours in the Arabian Gulf region. Traditional pastimes such as horse riding, falconry, and gazelle and hare hunting are still practised by wealthier Bahrainis, while football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport.

Traditional handicraft industries are supported by the state and the public, and local artefacts can be found in the Bahrain National Museum in Manama. Bahrain also has a small but flourishing avant-garde art community. Traditional Bahraini clothing for women is the abaya, a long, loose-fitting black gown worn with a hijab, while men wear a thobe and a traditional headdress, including the keffiyeh, ghutra, and agal.

Bahrain has a variety of festivals and customs, including Garqee'an, a biannual celebration observed throughout Eastern Arabia. This celebration involves children dressing in traditional attire and going door-to-door to receive treats from neighbours while singing traditional songs. Other notable holidays include Gregorian New Year's Day, National Day, Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.

Government and Politics

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy, with the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, at the helm. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa as its ruler. In 1972, Isa issued a decree for the election of a Constituent Assembly to draft and ratify a constitution. The constitution was enacted by decree in December 1973, and a general election was held the same year.

However, the elected assembly was short-lived, as Isa dissolved it in 1975, and the country was governed under emergency laws until 2002. In 2002, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain and instituted wide-ranging political reforms, including parliamentary elections, granting women the right to vote, and releasing political prisoners. In 2002, he also declared Bahrain a kingdom and installed himself as King.

The Bahraini government is appointed by the King, with the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa serving as Prime Minister and Deputy Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force since 2020. The country has a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of the Shura Council (the upper house) and the Council of Representatives (the lower house). The Shura Council is appointed directly by the King, while the Council of Representatives is elected by universal suffrage.

While the Council of Representatives can propose laws, the country's political system does not allow for true legislative power. The King holds ultimate authority over most government decisions and has the power to dissolve the lower house of parliament. The King can also rule by decree and has the authority to amend the constitution.

Bahrain's political landscape is dominated by the Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family, which has ruled the country since the late 1700s. The divide between the Shia majority and the Sunni rulers has led to long-running tensions and civil disobedience. The Shia majority has accused the Sunni rulers of political exclusion and creating economic conditions that favour Sunnis.

The Bahraini government has been criticised by human rights organisations for its handling of civil unrest and pro-democracy protests, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. There have also been allegations of the government using spyware to monitor social media and target activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

Despite these criticisms, Bahrain has made some strides towards political reform. The country has held multiple parliamentary and municipal elections, and women gained the right to vote and stand in national elections in 2002. However, the electoral system has been criticised for gerrymandering and restricting the participation of opposition groups.

The Bahraini monarchy maintains strong ties with Western powers, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, which have military bases in the country. Bahrain also plays a role in regional politics, having normalised relations with Israel in 2020 and being a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

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