A small Arab monarchy in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain consists of two separate groups of islands between the Qatar peninsula and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Named for the main island in the archipelago, Bahrain covers an area of about 270 square miles (692 square kilometers). The capital and chief port is Manama, in the northeastern part of Bahrain Island. It contains several large hotels, schools, Western-style shops, and an Arab suq, or bazaar. Al Muharraq, to the north of Manama, is a traditional Arab town with narrow, winding streets and a dense settlement. These two towns contain about one third of Bahrain's total population. - A dhow under construction in a boatyard on the coast of Bahrain.
Bahrain remains essentially Arab in its culture and lifestyle. The state radio station broadcasts mostly in Arabic, the official language, and television transmissions are received from Saudi Arabia. Several weekly and daily papers are published in Arabic and a few in English. The British Council in Manama is the main foreign cultural institution. In 1981 Bahrain was chosen as the site for a Gulf University. Bahrain Island has an excellent paved road system, and buses and taxis serve its major areas. The busy international airport on Al Muharraq Island has flights to most countries in the Middle East. The climate of Bahrain is very humid. Average monthly temperatures from May to October exceed 83° F (28° C). Winter temperatures from December to March average below 70° F (21° C). Agriculture is of minimal economic importance and produces only a fraction of Bahrain's food requirements, mainly in fruits and vegetables. There are a few thousand sheep, cattle, and goats. Bahrain owes its commercial success as a business and communications center to its location in the prosperous Persian Gulf region. It is an offshore banking center for more than 60 foreign banks, and there is a free zone in which many foreign business concerns have their headquarters. Major industries include natural gas and petroleum products—the principal exports. In 1978 the government took over ownership of the petroleum industry. Bahrain moved closer to the other Persian Gulf monarchies—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates—through the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council in March 1981. Bahrain was ruled by Portugal and then by Persia (Iran) before coming under British influence in the 19th century. From 1916 until 1971 it was a British Protected State, and the United Kingdom was responsible for the conduct of its foreign affairs and defense. Bahrain then declared itself independent of Britain and became a member of the United Nations. Bahrain was plagued by civil unrest during much of the 1990s, as the country's underprivileged Shi?ite majority campaigned against the strong grip the Sunni Muslim minority had on national political and economic power. Sheikh ?Isa ibn Sulman al-Khalifa, who had ruled from 1961, died in 1999. His son, Sheikh Hamad ibn ?Isa al-Khalifa, succeeded him and enacted reforms that led toward increasing democracy and stability for Bahrain. Population (2002), 672,000. |