Geography

Bahrain consists of one main island and some 30 smaller islands. The country covers an area of about 268 square miles (694 square kilometers). The main island is about 30 miles (50 kilometers) from north to south and about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from east to west. It lies some 120 miles (190 kilometers) southwest of Iran, in the Gulf of Bahrain.

The central part of Bahrain Island is rocky and barren. The country's highest point is 440 feet (134 meters) above sea level at Ad-Dukhan Hill, at the center of the island.

The climate of Bahrain is very humid. Average monthly temperatures from May to October exceed 83° F (28° C). Temperatures from December to March average about 70° F (21° C).

Plants and animals

Some 200 different species of desert plants grow in the bare, dry portions of the island chain. The irrigated and cultivated areas of the islands, mainly on the northwest coast of Bahrain Island, support fruit trees, crops grown to feed animals, and vegetables.

The variety of animals is limited by the desert conditions. Gazelle and hares are not yet extinct, and lizards and jerboas (desert rats) are common. The mongoose—probably imported from India—is found in the irrigated areas. Bird life is sparse except in spring and autumn, when many varieties of birds rest temporarily in Bahrain during migration.

People and culture

The majority of the country's population is Arab, and Islam is the official religion of Bahrain. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used. Farsi is also common, though it is spoken mostly in the home.

There are two principal towns. The capital and chief port is Manama, in the northeastern part of Bahrain Island. Manama is the more modern-looking of the two towns. It contains the main government offices, the business and financial market, several large hotels, Western-style shops, and an Arab souk, or bazaar. Al Muharraq, to the north of Manama, is a traditional Arab town with dense settlement and narrow, winding streets. These two towns contain about half of Bahrain's total population.

Economy

Bahrain prospers as a business and communications center because of its location in the Persian Gulf region. It is a banking center for more than 60 foreign banks.

The country's major industries include natural gas and petroleum products. However, as its petroleum reserves have dwindled, its manufacturing industries have grown in importance. Bahrain manufactures aluminum products, tiles and cement blocks, plastics, asphalt, paper products, wheat flour, and soft drinks. Bahrain's chief exports are petroleum products, metals, and metal products. The country imports mainly crude petroleum, machinery and transport equipment, food, and chemicals. Tourism is a growing industry in Bahrain.

History

Bahrain has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It was the seat of ancient Dilmun (Telmun), a prosperous trading center in about 2000 BC. Bahrain has been Arab and Muslim since the 7th century AD, though it was ruled by the Portuguese from 1521 to 1602 and by the Persians from 1602 to 1783. Ahmad ibn al-Khalifah ousted the Persians in 1783, and the Khalifah family has ruled Bahrain ever since.

Bahrain came under British protection in the 19th century. When Britain withdrew all its forces from the Persian Gulf in 1968, Bahrain declared itself independent in August 1971. Bahrain then became a member of the United Nations and of the Arab League.

Civil unrest between the country's two different Muslim sects plagued Bahrain after its independence. The underprivileged Shi?ite majority campaigned against the strong political and economic grip of the Sunni Muslim minority. In 1999 the country's ruler released a number of imprisoned Shi?ite dissidents and other individuals in order to ease tensions. Population (2000 estimate), 691,000.