Bahrain's Geographic Location: A Map Overview

Bahrain is an island country in the Middle East, located in the Persian Gulf. It is situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway. The archipelago consists of the main island Al Bahrayn and some smaller islands and islets. The country's capital and largest city is Manama.

Bahrain's location in the Persian Gulf

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, located between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands, with the main island, Al Bahrayn, making up the majority of the country's territory. The country is connected to Saudi Arabia in the west by the King Fahd Causeway.

Bahrain is situated in the northeastern part of the Persian Gulf, with its capital and largest city, Manama, located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. The country spans an area of around 780 sq. km, making it the third-smallest nation in Asia. It has a population of approximately 1.5 million people, including a significant number of non-nationals.

The islands of Bahrain are mostly flat and arid, with desert conditions prevailing across the country. The highest point in Bahrain is Jabal ad Dukhan, reaching 122 metres (400 feet) above sea level. The country's terrain consists of a low desert plain, rising gently towards the central escarpment.

Neighbouring countries

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, a series of bridges and causeways. Bahrain shares maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

To the west of Bahrain lies Saudi Arabia, a country that spans most of the Arabian Peninsula. Saudi Arabia is a large country with a diverse landscape, from mountainous regions in the west to the Rub' al Khali desert in the east. It is known for its hot, arid climate and its significant oil and natural gas reserves.

To the north of Bahrain is Qatar, a small country with a coastline along the Persian Gulf. Qatar has a diverse economy, with revenues generated from oil and gas production, as well as investments in other sectors such as finance and tourism. Doha, the capital city, is a modern and rapidly developing metropolis.

To the east of Bahrain lies Iran, a large country with a long coastline along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Iran has a rich cultural heritage and a diverse landscape, including mountains, deserts, and forests. It is known for its ancient history and cultural sites, such as Persepolis and the Naqsh-e Jahan Square.

To the south of Bahrain is a vast expanse of the Persian Gulf, with no neighbouring countries in close proximity. The Persian Gulf is an important waterway for international trade and a source of natural resources, including oil and gas. It is also a popular destination for tourism, with many coastal cities and islands offering beautiful beaches and cultural attractions.

Maritime borders

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass. Bahrain is located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway.

Bahrain shares its maritime borders with Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. In 2001, the International Court of Justice resolved a long-standing maritime dispute between Bahrain and Qatar. The Judgment established an all-purpose maritime boundary and also settled sovereignty disputes over several islands. The Court ruled that the territory of Zubarah, Janan Island, and the low-tide elevation of Fasht ad Dibal belonged to Qatar, while the Hawar Islands and Qit’at Jaradah Island were awarded to Bahrain.

Bahrain has also established maritime boundaries with its other neighbouring countries. In 1969, Iran and Qatar signed an agreement concerning the boundary line dividing their continental shelf. Additionally, Saudi Arabia and Qatar agreed on the delimitation of their offshore and land boundaries in 1965. Bahrain itself has also entered into maritime boundary delimitation agreements with its neighbours. In 1971, Bahrain signed an agreement with Iran concerning the delimitation of their continental shelf boundary.

The maritime boundaries of Bahrain are significant as the country is located in one of the world's major oil-producing regions. While Bahrain has only small stores of petroleum, its economy has historically relied on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. The establishment of clear maritime boundaries is crucial for managing the exploration and exploitation of natural resources in the region, as well as ensuring peaceful relations between these countries.

Natural resources

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago, consisting of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 80% of the country's landmass.

Bahrain's natural resources include:

Oil and Natural Gas

Bahrain was the first country in the Persian Gulf to discover crude oil, in 1932, and the country's economy is now largely reliant on fossil fuels. The oil sector is Bahrain's main source of income, with the production of Bahraini crude oil reaching 198 thousand barrels per day in 2013. Bahrain's proven reserves of crude oil were estimated to be 120 million barrels at the end of 2012, while its reserves of natural gas were estimated to be 92 billion cubic meters. Bahrain has the smallest hydrocarbon reserves of any Persian Gulf state.

Arable Land

Bahrain has a long history of agriculture, with close to 25 square miles of land dedicated to farming during the colonial period. After independence, the amount of arable land decreased significantly to around 6 square miles. Arable land now constitutes only 2.82% of the country's total area, or 6.4 thousand hectares. Bahrain has always tried to achieve self-sufficiency in agricultural production, and the country's fertile land in the northern and northwestern coasts supports the growth of date palms, fruit trees, vegetables, and fodder crops.

Fishing

As an island nation, Bahrain has a wealth of fishing resources, and fish are a vital part of the local diet. Bahrain is historically famous for fishing and pearling, producing 16.3 thousand tons of fish annually. The country's territorial waters are home to more than 200 kinds of fish. Before the discovery of oil, fishing and pearling were essential economic activities for most young men in Bahrain.

Minerals

Minerals such as aluminium are also among Bahrain's natural resources.

Environmental issues

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with a total territory of around 780 sq. km. The country is located between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to which it is connected by the King Fahd Causeway.

Bahrain has a rich history, dating back to the ancient Dilmun civilization. It has been known for its pearl fisheries and, more recently, for its oil industry. While Bahrain itself has only small stores of petroleum, its economy has relied heavily on processing crude oil from neighbouring countries. In recent years, the country has diversified its economy, investing in sectors such as banking, tourism, and financial services.

However, Bahrain faces several environmental challenges due to its small size, rapid industrialization, and proximity to the ocean. Here are some key environmental issues facing Bahrain:

• Desertification and Land Reclamation: Bahrain's limited arable land is vulnerable to desertification, with only about 2.82% of the total area suitable for agriculture. Land reclamation activities have blocked natural drainage channels, killed date palm trees, and impacted mangrove swamps.
• Marine Pollution: The booming oil industry and marine pollution have severely affected marine life in the Gulf of Bahrain. Coral reefs, sea turtles, dugongs, and fish species are suffering due to oil spills, refinery discharges, and plastic waste.
• Water Scarcity and Aquifer Salinisation: Bahrain relies on groundwater, particularly the Dammam Aquifer, for its water supply. However,section>over-extraction and pollution from agricultural and domestic sectors have led to salinisation of the aquifer, threatening the country's water security.
• Air Pollution: Bahrain's small size and proximity to industrial facilities contribute to air pollution. The country monitors various atmospheric pollutants and has implemented measures to reduce vehicle emissions and introduce unleaded petrol.
• Waste Management: Bahrain struggles with waste management, particularly the disposal of industrial and domestic waste. While there have been efforts to promote recycling and waste separation, landfill remains the primary method for waste disposal.
• Biodiversity Loss: Bahrain's biodiversity is under threat due to habitat destruction and pollution. The country has designated protected areas, such as the Hawar Islands and Al-Areen Wildlife Park, to conserve its flora and fauna, including endangered species.

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