Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in West Asia. It is close to the western shore of the Persian Gulf. Bahrain has 33 natural islands and 50 artificial islands. The biggest island is Bahrain Island. The country is small, about 760 square kilometres. About 1.6 million people live there, and many are from other countries.

Long ago, the area was home to the ancient Dilmun civilisation. It was also famous for its pearl fisheries. Bahrain became an early follower of Islam. Many groups ruled the area, including the Portuguese Empire and later the Al Khalifa royal family. Today, Bahrain has a modern economy. It focuses on banking and tourism. It is one of the first countries in the Persian Gulf to move beyond oil wealth.

Bahrain is part of several international groups, such as the United Nations, the Arab League, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Even though it is small, it is important in the region. The capital city, Manama, is a key place for business and finance.

Etymology

The name Bahrain comes from an Arabic word that means "two seas." This name refers to the island country today.

People have different ideas about what the "two seas" means. Some think it talks about the different kinds of water around the island, like fresh water and salt water. Others think it talks about water bodies near the island. Long ago, the word "Bahrain" was used for a bigger area, including parts of nearby lands.

History

Main article: History of Bahrain

Bahrain has a long and rich history. In ancient times, it was known as Dilmun, an important trading center linking Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Later, it was ruled by the Sumerians, Babylonians, and the Achaemenid Empire.

During the classical era, the ancient Greeks called it Tylos, where it was famous for pearl trading. Bahrain was also part of the Hellenised world, with Greek influence on language and culture. In the Middle Ages, the Qarmatians, a Muslim sect, took control and later the Uyunid dynasty ruled the region.

In more recent history, Bahrain was under Portuguese rule before becoming part of the Safavid Iran. The Bani Utbah clan took control in 1783, and later the Al Khalifa family became the rulers. In the 19th century, Bahrain became a British protectorate. The discovery of oil in 1932 brought economic growth.

Bahrain gained independence from Britain in 1971 and joined the United Nations and the Arab League. The country has seen periods of political change and development, including the adoption of a new constitution in 2002, changing its name to the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Bahrain

Bahrain is a group of islands in the Persian Gulf. The islands are mostly flat and dry. Bahrain Island is the largest island. The highest point is 134 meters above sea level. The country is 780 square kilometers in size because of land reclamation projects.

Bahrain has mild winters and very hot summers. The country has natural resources like oil, natural gas, and fish. Much of Bahrain is desert, so there is only a small amount of land for farming. Environmental challenges include desertification, coastal damage, and issues with water quality.

Main article: Climate of Bahrain

Bahrain's summers are very hot, with temperatures sometimes reaching 40°C. Winters are mild, and there is not much rain. Rain usually falls in winter. Dust storms can happen, especially from June to July.

Main articles: Wildlife of Bahrain and List of birds of Bahrain

Bahrain has many bird species, including migratory birds and birds that breed there. The Socotra cormorant breeds on the Hawar Islands. Bahrain's national bird is the bulbul, and its national animal is the Arabian oryx. Other animals in Bahrain include gazelles, desert rabbits, and hedgehogs. The country has protected areas, including the Hawar Islands, which are important for birds and marine life.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Bahrain

Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy led by King Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The king has important powers. He chooses the prime minister and ministers, and leads the Bahrain Defence Force. Bahrain has a bicameral National Assembly. It has 40 members who are chosen by the king and 40 members who are elected.

The country had its first parliamentary elections in 1973. Between 2002 and 2010, there were three parliamentary elections. Bahrain has a small role in regional politics. It is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Military

Bahrain has a small, professional military called the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF). It has about 8,200 personnel. The BDF uses equipment made in America, like F-16 Fighting Falcons and M60A3 tanks. Bahrain works closely with America and hosts an American naval base. The country also takes part in international military efforts, such as the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Bahrain

Bahrain has friendly ties with many countries around the world. It has embassies and consulates, and many other countries have embassies in Bahrain. Bahrain is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council and supports the Arab League on issues about peace in the Middle East. Relations with Iran are sometimes difficult. Bahrain and Israel began friendly relations in 2020.

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in Bahrain

After reforms in 1999, human rights improved but later declined. There are still issues such as limits on free speech and unfair trials. Reports from human rights groups keep pointing out problems with how some people are treated.

Women's rights

Main article: Women's rights in Bahrain

Women in Bahrain can vote and run for elections since 2002. In 2004, the first woman became a cabinet minister. Some people think more changes are needed to help women fully participate in society.

Media

Bahrain has many kinds of media, including newspapers, television, and radio. You can find newspapers in several languages. Most TV and radio stations are run by the government. Many people use the internet, but it is closely watched. Journalists sometimes face dangers, and they often censor themselves to stay safe.

Governorates

Main article: Governorates of Bahrain

Bahrain is split into four parts called governorates.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Bahrain

Bahrain has a fast-growing economy, one of the fastest in the Arab world. It is strong in banking, finance, and oil production. Petroleum is the biggest export, followed by aluminium and construction materials. The government has plans like "Vision 2030" to make the economy more diverse and sustainable.

Bahrain is also famous for tourism. Visitors enjoy its mix of modern Arab culture and ancient history. There are forts, museums, and natural wonders to see. Popular activities include bird watching, scuba diving, and shopping. The country has many malls and markets that attract visitors from nearby regions.

Infrastructure

Main article: Transport in Bahrain

Bahrain has one main international airport, the Bahrain International Airport (BAH), on Muharraq Island. The airport handles many flights and passengers. A new terminal opened in 2021 to help the country grow.

Bahrain has good roads, especially in Manama. Oil was found in the 1930s, which led to many roads and highways being built. Today, there are over 3,000 kilometers of roads connecting towns and villages. Bridges and causeways link different islands, including a big causeway to Muharraq Island and the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia.

Main articles: Telecommunications in Bahrain and Internet in Bahrain

The telecommunications sector started in 1981 with Batelco. Today, many companies offer mobile and internet services. Bahrain has been online since 1995, and more people use the internet each year. A nationwide metro system is being built and will open around 2025.

Science and technology

Bahrain is working to build a strong science and technology sector. The country has created special centers to help learning and new ideas.

The Bahrain Science Centre has exhibits where young people can learn about engineering, health, and Earth sciences by trying things out themselves.

In 2014, Bahrain started its National Space Science Agency. This agency makes agreements about space and plans to build tools to study space and Earth. The University of Bahrain helps with research. Many students and teachers work on projects there. Scientists in Bahrain write about their work in journals and often work with researchers from other countries.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Bahrain

Bahrain's population was about 1.2 million in 2010. Most people living there are from the Middle East, but many also come from South Asia. In 2008, around 290,000 people from India, especially from the southern state of Kerala, lived in Bahrain, making them the largest group of people from outside the Middle East living there.

Bahrain is one of the most crowded countries in the world, with 1,646 people living in each square kilometer. The north part of the country is very busy and full of people, while the south is much quieter. The busy northern area is often thought of as one big city.

Ethnic groups

Main articles: Bahrani people and Ethnic, cultural and religious groups of Bahrain

People in Bahrain come from many different backgrounds. Most Bahrainis are either Shia or Sunni Muslims. There are smaller groups from Africa and other places.

Religion

Main articles: Freedom of religion in Bahrain, Muharram in Bahrain, Islam in Bahrain, and Hinduism in Bahrain

The main religion in Bahrain is Islam, with most people being Muslim. There are also smaller groups of Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism in the country. Bahrain also has small communities of people who follow no religion or other faiths. There is a small Jewish community as well.

Languages

Arabic is the official language of Bahrain, but English is also commonly spoken. Many people also speak languages such as Balochi, Persian, Urdu, Nepali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bangla, and Hindi. Signs and business places usually show words in both English and Arabic.

Education

Main article: Education in Bahrain

Education is required for children aged 6 to 14 in Bahrain. The government provides free education for Bahraini citizens in public schools. Boys and girls go to separate schools. Today, Bahrain has many schools, including international ones that follow British, American, or other curricula. There are also several universities and colleges offering higher education.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Bahrain

Bahrain is an island country where Islam is the main religion. People there are usually kind to other faiths. Many Bahrainis marry people from other countries, which creates a rich mix of cultures. Women in Bahrain usually wear a hijab or an abaya, but the rules are not very strict. Men often wear a thobe, but many also wear Western-style clothes.

Bahrain has a long history of art. Modern art began in the 1950s. Popular art forms include expressionism, surrealism, and calligraphic art. The country is also known for its pottery and weaving. The Bahrain National Museum shows many kinds of art, including modern pieces. Traditional Bahraini literature is written in classical Arabic, but younger writers are now using free verse and writing about many different topics.

Bahrain’s music is similar to that of its neighbors. The Khaliji style, a type of folk music, is very popular. Another popular style is sawt, which uses instruments like the Oud, violin, and mirwas. Bahrain was the first place in the Persian Gulf to have a recording studio.

The country enjoys many sports. Football is very popular, and Bahrain’s national team has won important cups. The country also has a strong presence in mixed martial arts and has hosted big international competitions. Bahrain has a famous race track where the Bahrain Grand Prix is held each year. The sport of cricket has also grown in popularity recently.