Explore Bahrain: A Country Of Rich History And Culture

Bahrain is a small, island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and around 30 smaller islands, with a population of around 1.5 million people.

Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni king, whose family holds the main political and military posts. The country has a long history of tension between the Shia majority and the Sunni rulers, which has resulted in civil disobedience and protests.

Bahrain has a diverse economy, with a strong focus on banking, finance, and tourism. It was one of the first Gulf states to discover oil and build a refinery, although production has never reached the same level as its neighbours.

Bahrain is known for its friendly and welcoming attitude towards expats, with a more relaxed and liberal culture compared to its neighbours. The country has a rich history, with strong artistic and literary traditions, and a diverse cuisine influenced by its non-national population.

Bahrain's History and Culture

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Persian Gulf and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands. Bahrain's history and culture are deeply rooted in the region's ancient past and diverse ethnic and religious makeup.

History

Bahrain was home to the ancient Dilmun civilization, which was a central trade hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Over the centuries, Bahrain has been ruled by various empires, including the Persians, Sumerians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Portuguese, Arabs, and the British. It was one of the earliest areas to embrace Islam during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad in 628 AD.

In the 19th century, Bahrain became a protectorate of the United Kingdom and gained independence in 1971. The country has a long history of pearl diving and trade, with its pearl fisheries renowned as the best in the world until the 19th century.

In recent decades, Bahrain has diversified its economy away from oil and invested in the banking and tourism sectors, becoming the first post-oil economy in the Persian Gulf.

Culture

Bahrain's culture is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia, and it shares similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Gulf. The country is known for its cosmopolitanism and ethnic diversity, with citizens from various ethnic and religious backgrounds. While Islam is the state religion, Bahrain is tolerant of other faiths, and different religions coexist peacefully.

Bahrainis are known for their traditional arts, such as poetry, literature, music, and dance. They also have a rich heritage of handicrafts and jewellery-making. Football is the most popular modern sport, while traditional pastimes like horse riding and hunting are still practised by the wealthy.

Bahrain's national dress reflects its cultural blend, with the traditional attire for women being the abaya, and for men, the thobe, along with headdresses like the keffiyeh and ghutra.

Bahrain's Economy

Bahrain was one of the first states in the Gulf to discover oil and build a refinery, but its production levels never reached those of Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. As a result, Bahrain has had to diversify its economy. The country's most exported product is petroleum products made from imported crude oil, which accounted for 51% of the country's imports in 2007 and 60% of export receipts. Bahrain's second most exported product is aluminium, followed by finance and construction materials.

Bahrain's pro-innovation business policies and laws give businesses of all sizes the opportunity to thrive. The country offers 100% foreign ownership in most of its thriving non-oil-based sectors, ease of doing business, and access to the GCC's $2.1 trillion trade market. Bahrain's forward-thinking government works closely with businesses to enhance its business-friendly ecosystem through policy reform. The country's growing economy offers exciting investment opportunities within a supportive business environment, making it an attractive prospect for businesses looking to expand in the region.

Bahrain's Geography and Climate

Bahrain is a small Arab state located in the Persian Gulf, off the north shore of the Arabian Peninsula in West Asia. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, with a total area of about 694 square kilometres (268 sq mi). Bahrain Island makes up about 78% of the kingdom's land area, comprising 604 square kilometres (233 sq mi). The capital and largest city, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of Bahrain Island.

Geographically, Bahrain is relatively flat, with a desert plain and a low-lying, barren desert landscape. Outcroppings of limestone form low rolling hills, stubby cliffs, and shallow ravines. The limestone is covered by various densities of saline sand, supporting vegetation such as thorn trees and scrub. There is a fertile strip along the northern coast where date, almond, fig, and pomegranate trees grow. The interior contains an escarpment that rises to 134 meters, forming Jabal al Dukhan (Mountain of Smoke), named for the mists that often surround its summit. Most of the country's oil wells are located near Jabal al Dukhan.

Bahrain has an arid climate with two distinct seasons: an extremely hot and humid summer and a relatively mild winter. From April to October, afternoon temperatures average 40 °C (104 °F) and can reach up to 46 °C (114.8 °F). The combination of heat and humidity makes this season uncomfortable. In contrast, winter months from November to March bring cooler temperatures ranging from 10 °C to 20 °C (50 °F to 68 °F). However, humidity levels often rise above 90% during this period.

The average annual rainfall in Bahrain is low, at 72 millimetres (2.8 in), usually confined to the winter months. There are no permanent rivers or streams on the islands. Natural springs and underground freshwater deposits provide important sources of drinking water, but desalination plants have also been supplying about 60% of daily water consumption needs since the early 1980s.

Bahrain's People and Demographics

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and is ruled by a Sunni king, whose family holds the main political and military posts. The country has a population of around 1.6 million people, with non-nationals making up more than half of its population. The population is expected to reach 2.128 million by 2030. Bahrain is known for its cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity, with Islam being the official religion, forming around 70% of the population. The country has a high degree of internet penetration, with about 961,000 internet users recorded in 2012.

The population of Bahrain is concentrated in its two principal cities, Manama and Al Muharraq. The country is divided into five governorates: the Capital Governorate, Muharraq Governorate, Northern Governorate, and Southern Governorate. The indigenous inhabitants of Bahrain are Shia, and the country has a Shia majority, which has led to tension with the Sunni rulers.

Bahrain has a diverse range of ethnic groups, including descendants of Africans, Lurs, Achomis, and other Shia and Sunni groups. There is also a significant population of Indians, who traded with Bahrain and settled before the age of oil. Jews have inhabited Bahrain for centuries, and the country also has a native Christian community. The official language of Bahrain is Arabic, but English is widely spoken, and other languages such as Persian, Urdu, and Hindi are also common among expatriates.

The population of Bahrain is relatively young, with 25.9% under the age of 19, 71.1% between 20 and 64, and 2.1% over the age of 65. The median age in Bahrain is 33.2 years, and the country has a high life expectancy of 77-78 years for men and 80-82 years for women. Bahrain has a universal healthcare system, and healthcare expenditure accounts for 4.5% of its GDP. However, the country faces health challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

In terms of education, Bahrain has a compulsory education system for children between the ages of 6 and 14, with free education provided in government schools for Bahraini citizens. The country has a growing higher education sector, with institutions such as the University of Bahrain and the Royal University for Women.

Bahrain's Government and Politics

Monarchy and Leadership

Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa as its head of state. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, with Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa as its first ruler. In 2002, Bahrain transitioned from an emirate to a kingdom, and Sheikh Hamad changed his title from emir to king.

Political System

Bahrain's political system is structured as a constitutional monarchy, with the government appointed by the king. The parliament is bicameral, consisting of the Council of Representatives (lower house) and the Shura Council (upper house). The Council of Representatives is elected by universal suffrage, while the Shura Council is appointed directly by the king.

Political Parties and Factions

Bahrain's political landscape is dominated by Islamic parties, with both Shia and Sunni Islamic groups holding significant influence. These parties have leveraged their electoral success to pursue socially conservative agendas, often at the expense of civil liberties and personal freedoms. Shia and Sunni Islamists have found common ground in opposing certain women's rights initiatives, with clerics playing an increasingly prominent role in politics.

Foreign Relations and Security

Bahrain maintains close relations with the United States, hosting the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, and has a defence cooperation agreement with the country. It is also a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes other Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Bahrain has worked to improve relations with Iran, which have historically been strained due to suspicions of Iranian involvement in domestic unrest.

Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Bahrain has faced criticism from human rights organisations for its crackdown on the 2011 pro-democracy protest movement and the subsequent elimination of various political rights and civil liberties. The country's Shia majority has frequently protested against their perceived exclusion from housing, healthcare, and government jobs by the ruling Sunni minority, leading to civil disobedience and unrest.

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