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 about 30 smaller islands, including Muharraq Island and the Hawar Islands. The name Bahrain comes from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'. The country is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and Qatar to the east, and shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The capital and largest city of Bahrain is Manama, located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island.
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Bahrain is an island country in West Asia
Bahrain has a rich history, believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. It 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 is now a constitutional monarchy headed by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The country's topography is relatively flat, with the highest point being Jabal ad Dukhan. The terrain includes both desert and fertile land, with date palm groves and vegetable gardens irrigated by artesian water from springs and wells. Bahrain has a hot, humid summer and a cooler, more pleasant winter, with minimal rainfall confined to the winter months.
Bahrain's economy has traditionally relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries, but the financial, commercial services, and tourism sectors have also grown significantly. It is known for its culture, traditions, and architecture, as well as its long history of pearl diving.
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It is situated in the Persian Gulf
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 about 30 smaller islands, including Muharraq Island and the Hawar Islands. The name Bahrain comes from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'. The country is surrounded by the Persian Gulf, which connects to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast of Africa.
The capital of Bahrain, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. It is the country's chief port and a popular tourist destination, known for its blend of modern and traditional attractions. Bahrain Fort, the Bahrain National Museum, and the Al Areen Wildlife Park are also popular tourist spots.
Bahrain is renowned for its verdant groves of date palms and has long been an important hub for trade and natural resources. Bahrain Island is believed to be the site of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a prominent commercial centre that traded with ancient Sumer. Today, Bahrain's economy relies largely on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries, as well as the financial, commercial services, and tourism sectors.
The country's topography is mostly flat, with low-lying rocky and sandy plains, and some coastal salt marshes. The highest point is Jabal ad Dukhan, rising to 440 feet (134 metres) above sea level. Bahrain experiences hot and humid summers and mild winters, with minimal rainfall.
The Kingdom of Bahrain has a rich history, dating back to ancient times. It was one of the earliest regions to adopt Islam during the lifetime of Muhammad in the 7th century AD. Over the centuries, Bahrain has been influenced by various European and Middle Eastern powers and was a British protectorate before gaining independence in 1971. Today, it is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
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Bahrain is a small archipelago
Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and some 30 smaller islands, with the former making up around 78-83% of the country's landmass. The archipelago includes 33 natural islands and a number of man-made ones. The name Bahrain is derived from the Arabic term "al-baḥrayn", meaning "two seas".
The country's total territory is around 780 sq. km, making it the third-smallest nation in Asia. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway to the west and is situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island and is the country's chief port and economic centre.
Bahrain has a varied landscape, with the main island offering more variation than the smaller islands. The central region of the main island is rocky and barren, rising to 440 feet (134 metres) at Al-Dukhān Hill, the country's highest point. In contrast, the northern and northwestern coasts feature a narrow belt of date palms and vegetable gardens, irrigated by artesian water from springs and wells. The small islands are generally rocky and low-lying, rising only a few feet above sea level.
Bahrain has a hot and humid climate, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 90 °F (32 °C). Winters are cooler and more pleasant, with temperatures dipping to around 70 °F (21 °C). Rainfall is minimal and confined to the winter months, averaging about 3 inches (75 mm) per year.
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The capital city of Bahrain is Manama
Manama has a rich history, dating back to the Bronze Age, and has been an important trading centre in the Persian Gulf for centuries. The city has been influenced by various cultures throughout its existence, including the Portuguese and Persians, and was once the gateway to the main Bahrain Island. In the 20th century, oil wealth spurred rapid growth in Manama, and in the 1990s, a diversification effort led to expansion in other industries, transforming the city into a financial powerhouse.
Manama is part of the Capital Governorate, one of five governorates in Bahrain, and serves as the focal point of the country's economy. While petroleum has been a key industry, other sectors such as heavy industry, banking, tourism, and Islamic banking have experienced recent growth. Manama's road network has also undergone substantial development to accommodate the increasing vehicle population.
The city boasts a diverse range of cultural sites, including historic forts, museums, and ancient temples. It is also known for its vibrant shopping malls and souqs, which attract tourists from neighbouring countries. Manama's diverse population includes both Bahraini citizens and expatriates, with foreigners outnumbering locals two-to-one as of 1981.
Manama is a modern and cosmopolitan city that has played a crucial role in Bahrain's economic development and continues to be a centre of financial activity in the Middle East.
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It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain
Bahrain is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain. It is a small Arab state situated in the Persian Gulf, consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands. The name Bahrain comes from the Arabic term 'al-baḥrayn', meaning 'two seas'.
Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives. The country is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as King.
Bahrain is the third-smallest nation in Asia, with a total land area of 760-780 square kilometres. The country's capital and largest city is Manama, located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. Manama is a cosmopolitan city, known for its restaurants and bars, and serves as the country's chief port and economic centre.
Bahrain has a mixed economy, with a heavy focus on petroleum processing and refining, as well as international banking. The country has invested in the tourism sector, promoting its heritage and cultural sites, such as the Bahrain Fort, the Tree of Life, and the Royal Camel Farm.
The population of Bahrain is approximately 1.5 million, including a large number of non-nationals. The official language is Arabic, although English is widely spoken. The country has a predominantly Muslim population, with a Shia majority and a Sunni minority.
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Frequently asked questions
Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands. It is located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which lies to the west of Bahrain across the Gulf of Bahrain.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama, also known as Al Manamah. It is also the country's largest city and chief port.
As of May 14, 2023, the population of Bahrain was 1,501,635, based on elaborations of the United Nations data.