The Mystery Of The Missing Bahraini: An Enigmatic Disappearance

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. The country is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands, with the capital, Manama, located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. Bahrain is renowned for its date palms and was an important trade centre in ancient times.

Where is Bahrain in relation to other countries?

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated on the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island making up around 83% of the country's landmass. The country is located between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia, with which it shares maritime borders. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway.

Bahrain is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 89% of the population living in the two principal cities of Manama and Al Muharraq. The country is strategically important, and its port facilities have been opened to foreign naval fleets, including that of the United States.

Bahrain is located in a chief oil-producing region but has surprisingly small amounts of natural petroleum, relying heavily on its neighbours for oil production. It has, however, diversified its economy and developed its financial, commercial services, and communications sectors, as well as tourism.

What is the population of Bahrain?

The population of Bahrain as of May 14, 2023, was 1,501,635, based on elaborations of United Nations data, of whom 712,362 are Bahraini nationals. The population of Bahrain as of July 2007 was 708,535, including about 235,108 non-nationals. The population of Bahrain is expected to be 1,603,000 in 2024 and 1,756,000 in 2030.

Bahrain is an island country in West Asia situated on the Persian Gulf. It is a small archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands. The four main islands are joined by causeways and make up about 95% of the total land area. The capital and largest city, Manama, had a population of 148,000 in 2002.

Bahrain is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with about 89% of the population living in the two principal cities of Manama and Al-Muharraq. The population is ethnically diverse, with Bahraini people making up 63% of the population, Asians 19%, other Arabs 10%, and Iranians 8%. The population is also religiously diverse, with 98% Muslim (approximately 70% Shi'a and 30% Sunni), and small Christian, Jewish, and Hindu communities.

The population of Bahrain has grown significantly over the years, and the country has worked to diversify its economy to accommodate this growth. Bahrain has invested in developing an advanced educational system, and education is provided free of charge to Bahrainis and non-nationals at all levels, including higher education. The government has also made efforts to improve infrastructure, such as expanding the airport and building a new port.

What is the capital of Bahrain?

The capital of Bahrain is Manama, also known as Al-Manamah. It is the country's largest city and is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island. Manama has been Bahrain's capital since 1971, when the country gained independence from Britain. It is a strikingly modern city, serving as a favourite destination for visitors from neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

Manama has a population of approximately 297,502 as of 2012, with about one-fifth of the country's population living in the city. It is a cosmopolitan city, with a diverse population. It has historically been a important trading centre in the Persian Gulf, with a history of pearling, fishing, boatbuilding, and import trade. The discovery of petroleum in 1932 revolutionised the city's economy, and it is now a trade, financial, and commercial hub.

What is the size of Bahrain?

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and 33 natural islands, with an additional 33 artificial islands. The total area of the country is about 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi), or 665 square kilometres (257 sq mi) before land reclamation. Bahrain is the third-smallest nation in Asia, after the Maldives and Singapore.

Bahrain Island makes up around 83% of the country's landmass, with a land area of 604 square kilometres (233 sq mi). The island is 48 kilometres (30 mi) long from north to south and, at its widest point, stretches 16 kilometres (10 mi) from east to west. The highest point on the island is Jabal ad Dukhan, or the Mountain of Smoke, which rises to 134 metres (440 ft).

The state of Bahrain consists of two separate groups of islands, which together extend about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from north to south and 16 kilometres (10 mi) from east to west. The four main islands are joined by causeways and make up about 95% of the total land area. The two largest groups of islands are separated by the Gulf of Bahrain, a relatively shallow inlet of the Persian Gulf.

What is the economy of Bahrain like?

Bahrain's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, with petroleum and natural gas being the country's only significant natural resources. However, Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and the government has been working to pivot away from oil. In 2023, Bahrain's GDP grew by 2.45%, with a robust increase of 4.48% in the non-oil sector, indicating the country's successful efforts toward economic diversification.

Bahrain has invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors since the late 20th century, and its finance industry is very successful. Bahrain's capital, Manama, is home to many large financial institutions, and the country is recognised as a regional financial and business centre. Bahrain was named the world's fastest-growing financial centre by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index in 2008, and its banking and financial services sector, particularly Islamic banking, have benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil. Bahrain's other industries include aluminium smelting, iron pelletisation, and fertilisers.

Despite its diversification efforts, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues, and lower world energy prices have generated sizeable budget deficits. Bahrain's gross international reserves increased substantially in 2004, and the country has a steady rise in foreign direct investment (FDI). However, weak public finances, including large fiscal deficits and elevated public debt levels, remain a threat to the long-term prospects of Bahrain's economy.

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