Bahrain

Full name of country: Kingdom of Bahrain

Region: Middle East

Official language: Arabic

Population: 1,566,888 (2024 est.)

Nationality: Bahraini(s) (noun), Bahraini (adjective)

Land area: 760 sq km (293 sq miles)

Capital: Manama

National anthem: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain), by Unknown

National holiday: National Day, December 16 (1971)

Population growth: 0.82% (2024 est.)

Time zone: UTC +3

Flag: The flag of Bahrain features two unequal color fields, one white (on the hoist side) and one red. The colors, of which red is a much larger proportion, are separated by a serrated line made up of five white triangles that represent the five pillars of Islam.

Independence: August 15, 1971 (from the UK)

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal

Legal system: mixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law

The island nation of Bahrain has been a center of trade and communications throughout recorded history, but the country remained relatively undeveloped until the discovery of oil in 1932. Today, the archipelago of more than thirty islands has one of the highest standards of living in the Persian Gulf.

While it does not have much oil of its own, Bahrain is an important oil-refining center for other Middle Eastern nations. It is also a major financial center for the region, and many Middle Eastern companies have headquarters in Bahrain.

Note: unless otherwise indicated, statistical data in this article is sourced from the CIA World Factbook, as cited in the bibliography.

People and Culture

Population: Bahrain is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Roughly 90 percent of the population lives in urban areas, mainly in the north of Bahrain Island, the major island in the group.

Bahrain’s largest city, Manama, is the capital and chief commercial center, with a population of approximately 709,000 (2023 estimate).

About 47.4 percent of the population is ethnically Bahraini. Other notable groups include Asians (43.4 percent), other Arabs (4.9 percent), Africans (1.4 percent), and Europeans (0.8 percent) (2020 estimates). About 45 percent of the country’s population was composed of immigrants in 2019, according to the United Nations.

Although Arabic is the official language, most people in Bahrain speak English as well. Farsi and Urdu are also widely spoken.

The state religion is Islam and is followed by approximately 74.2 percent of the population, with a predominance of Shias over Sunnis. Other religions are guaranteed freedom of worship which includes Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Baha'i are 25.8 percent in total (2020 estimates).

Indigenous People: The main island, Bahrain, is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times. The island’s trading empire flourished from around 3000 to 1000 BCE, when it was known as Dilmun.

About 300 BCE, the Greeks occupied the island and named it Tylos. In the seventh century, the prophet Muhammad issued a personal invitation to the islanders to convert to Islam. A series of Islamic rulers then controlled the island, followed by the Portuguese in the sixteenth century. Bahrain came under the control of the Persian Empire during the seventeenth century.

In 1782, Arabs of the Al Khalifah clan came to the islands from what is now Saudi Arabia. When they had driven out the Persians, the Al Khalifahs chose an emir from among themselves to rule. This clan, which follows Sunni Islam, continues to rule today. Saudi invaders tried to oust the clan in the early nineteenth century. The Bahrainis asked for British help, and in 1861, the country became a British protectorate. Under this arrangement, Britain controlled Bahrain’s foreign relations.

The name Bahrain means “two seas” in Arabic, referring to the sweet water springs beneath the island.

Education: Bahrain has made dedicated efforts to improve educational opportunities. In 2001 school attendance became compulsory for all children. Public school education is free, and most students learn English in school. The government has provided scholarships for women graduates to pursue postgraduate work in other countries.

In 2018, the literacy rate in Bahrain was estimated at 97.5 percent overall (99.9 percent among men, 94.9 percent among women), one of the highest in the Persian Gulf. The government’s focus on providing educational opportunities for women has increased the literacy rate.

Public institutes of higher learning in Bahrain include the Arabian Gulf University, founded in 1980 in Manama; the University of Bahrain, founded in 1986; Bahrain Polytechnic, established by royal decree in 2008; and the College of Health Sciences, established in 1976. There are also a number of private institutions.

Health Care: The government of Bahrain provides free medical care. In 2020, health expenditures made up 4.2 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). There were approximately 0.93 physicians for every 1,000 people in 2015.

Average life expectancy in Bahrain is 80.4 years overall, 78.1 years for men and 82.7 years for women (2024 estimates). In 2022, Bahrain was ranked 34 out of 193 countries and territories on the United Nations Human Development Index, which measures quality-of-life indicators.

Food: As in many Middle Eastern countries, staples of the Bahraini diet include dates, fish, fruit, milk, and rice. Traditional Arabian coffee, thick and dark, is enjoyed throughout the day.

Middle Eastern food that can be bought on the street includes shawarma, which is lamb or chicken that is carved from a huge rotating spit and served in pita (pocket) bread. Desserts such as baklava are also commonly sold in the streets.

Because of the large population of foreign workers, many international foods, including Thai, Indian, and Pakistani dishes, are also available in Bahrain.

Arts & Entertainment: Traditional Bahraini arts and handicrafts include jewelry, embroidered and crocheted fabrics, calligraphy, basket-weaving from split palm fronds, pottery-making, goldsmithing, cloth weaving, and wood-carving.

Contemporary artists work in varying styles. The Bahrain Arts Society has more than one hundred members. Rashid al Oraifi is a leading contemporary artist who incorporates ancient styles into some of his work. Other major artists include Abdul Wahab Kooheji, Abbas Al Mosawi, and Abdulla Al Muharraq. The Arts Society includes photographers who participate in international competitions.

The Bahrain International Music Festival is an annual six-day event held in Manama. Traditional Arabic music and contemporary international styles are performed.

Football (soccer) is a popular sport among both Bahrainis and foreign residents. Racing of Arabian thoroughbred horses is immensely popular. Weekly races are held from October through March. Camels are also raced. Muslim beliefs forbid betting on races, however.

Some Bahrainis still practice falconry, a traditional sport in which falcons (a kind of hawk) are bred and trained to catch game birds.

Bahraini children enjoy playing al-khaishaisheh, or hide-and-seek. In the game al-shaqhah, children jump over each other’s hands and feet. Al-lomsabaq is a game involving racing small handmade boats.

Holidays: Bahrain celebrates its independence from British protection on National Day (December 16).

Most official holidays observed in the country are Muslim, and the dates are determined according to the Muslim lunar calendar. Holidays include Leilat al-Meiraj, the first day of Ramadan; Id al-Fitr, the breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan; Eid al-Adha, which celebrates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac to God; Muharram, Muslim New Year; and Ashoura, which marks the death of Hussein, Muhammad’s grandson, at the Battle of Karbala in 680.

Environment and Geography

Topography: Bahrain is an archipelago of more than thirty islands in the Persian Gulf. The country lies in the middle of the Gulf, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) off the east coast of Saudi Arabia and 28 kilometers (17 miles) off the west coast of Qatar.

The capital, Manama, is located on the main island (Bahrain). Al Muharraq, Sitrah and Umm Nasan are the other major islands in the group. These principal islands are connected to Bahrain Island by causeways. A causeway also connects Bahrain Island with Saudi Arabia.

Most of the country is a low desert plain, rising slightly in the center. The highest point is at Jebel al Dukhan, 134 meters (440 feet) above sea level. Most of the land is barren desert, without rivers or lakes. Some seasonal salt marshes provide nesting for numerous species of birds. The northern coast of the island of Bahrain, however, has many freshwater springs. These provide drinking water and irrigation.

Natural Resources: Bahrain has small reserves of petroleum that are nearly depleted. Pearls were once abundant in the surrounding waters, but today they are a minor resource, and are harvested mostly by tourists. The country has large natural gas deposits and plenty of fish in the Gulf waters.

Desertification, caused by population pressures and drought and dust storms, is an environmental concern in Bahrain. Oil spills and refinery discharge also contribute to the problem, as they damage the coastline, coral reefs, and sea vegetation. Deforestation has resulted from cutting down trees and from the depletion of the water supply.

Plants & Animals: Bahrain’s flora consists largely of desert-resistant and salt-tolerant species such as date palms, thorn trees and scrub brush. The water-rich northern coast supports almond, fig, and pomegranate trees. Tubli Bay, in northeast part of the main island, supports the country’s last remaining mangrove trees. Many trees have been cut down, and others have died from lack of water.

Bahrain’s wildlife is more diverse than its plant life. Numerous species of birds nest or migrate to the islands, including the hoopoe lark, desert lark, graceful warbler, spotted crake, West Reef heron, black-winged stilt, sooty falcon, osprey, and greater flamingo.

Domesticated donkeys are common in Bahrain, but camels are scarce. Wild animals include reptiles such as the spiny-tailed lizard and the sand snake, Bahrain’s only poisonous serpent. Hares, scorpions, hedgehogs, gazelles, and the occasional camel can also be seen. The Al-Areen Wildlife Sanctuary protects such animals as the Reem gazelle and the endangered Arabian oryx.

The shallow coastal waters are home to mackerel, shrimp, pearl oysters, green turtles, and sea snakes.

Climate: Winters (December to March) in Bahrain are mild, with a temperature range of 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (60 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). January and February see some chilly, rainy days, with humidity as high as 90 percent. Spring temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius (68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

Summers (May to September) are hot, with temperatures as high as 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit). In August, the high humidity causes great discomfort. Autumn temperatures range from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius (77 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

The gaws, a dry wind from the southeast, often blows up sandstorms in the summer. In the winter, the shammal, another southeast wind, blows damp air over the islands.

Only about eight centimeters (three inches) of rain fall annually in Bahrain, mostly in the north during the winter. The rains come in cloudbursts that often flood the shallow wadis (depressions or dry streambeds), which are dry during the rest of the year. These flash floods can also interfere with traffic.

Economy

Bahrain is a wealthy country with a relatively low unemployment rate, estimated at 1.16 percent in 2023. Its gross domestic product (GDP, purchasing power parity) in 2023 was an estimated US$90.228 billion, or US$57,200 per capita. Local oil deposits are largely depleted, and the economy depends on the refining of imported oil. Bahrain’s natural gas reserves and its financial sector, including offshore banking, have become more important to the economy in recent years. As in many parts of the world, Bahrain's economy was negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One problem that affects the economy is the depletion of underground water. About 90 percent of the country’s drinking water is provided by desalination plants.

Industry: Before the discovery of oil in 1932, Bahrain’s most important industry was pearl diving. At its peak before World War II, the pearl industry was worth more than US$1 million. The demand for quality Gulf pearls has dropped dramatically since the mid-twentieth century, however, and modern Bahrain’s major industry is oil refining. The country also produces fertilizers, smelted aluminum, ammonia, and iron pellets.

Exports include oil products, aluminum, iron ore, and asphalt. Most exports go to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and the United States. In 2020, Bahrain was the largest exporter of in the world.

Major imports include crude oil, automobiles, and machinery. Some of these are re-exported to other Gulf nations. Bahrain’s central location and modern port facilities and warehouses, based in Manama, help the country maintain its position as a major trading center.

Agriculture: Agriculture practiced in Bahrain is mostly for domestic consumption. Only 2.1 percent of the land is arable, and only 40 square kilometers (15 square miles) of farmland were irrigated according to 2018 estimates. Chief agricultural products are dates, tomatoes, poultry, and dairy products. Shrimp and fish are harvested in the coastal waters.

Tourism: Tourism has become an important industry in Bahrain. Although the industry can fluctuate considerably, as seen in the steep decline caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it represents a significant contributor to the nation's GDP and directly supports tens of thousands of jobs. Most international tourist travel to Bahrain from Saudi Arabia and India.

Bahrain boasts numerous archaeological sites dating back to the Dilmun culture, which emerged in the late fourth millennium BCE, and forts dating to the sixteenth century. Other attractions include hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and the national museum. The Tree of Life is a broad, shady plant standing alone in the middle of 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) of desert. Its source of water is unknown.

The souk, or market, in Manama features many crafts, jewelry, and tourist novelties for sale. Ancient tomb mounds are found near A’ali village. The village also boasts the major pottery workshop in the country.

Popular activities for tourists include pearl diving, horseback riding, scuba diving among coral reefs and old shipwrecks, night sea fishing, golf, and tennis.

Government

Anti-government riots in protest of British control in the 1950 and 1960s led to some political reforms in Bahrain. In 1971, Great Britain withdrew from the Gulf, and Bahrain became a wholly independent state. It joined the Arab League and the United Nations in 1973. In 2002, the emir proclaimed himself king, and the country became a constitutional monarchy. The 2002 constitution was amended in 2012 and 2017.

The monarch is the chief of state. The prime minister is the head of government. Bahrain has four governorates, each of which is administered by an appointed governor.

The bicameral legislature consists of the Majlis al-Nuwab (Council of Representatives), with forty members directly elected to four-year terms, and the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council), whose forty members are appointed by the king.

The High Civil Appeals Court is the highest court in the land. The legal system is based on Islamic law and English common law.

Political parties are forbidden in Bahrain. However, politically oriented societies are permitted, and in practice these function as parties. The government operates the country’s radio and television stations.

During the 1991 Gulf War, Bahrain cooperated with the United States, Great Britain, and Saudi Arabia. During the mid-1990s, the country’s Shia Muslims staged demonstrations for free elections and greater employment for Shias. Further unrest in 2011 disrupted the nation’s economy, which rebounded between 2012 and 2015.

In 2020, Bahrain, along with the United Arab Emirates, officially recognized the state of Israel in a peace deal brokered by the United States. This made it one of just four Middle Eastern countries to do so.

Interesting Facts

• The hejira (hegira) is the word used for Muhammad’s flight to Medina when he was threatened by assassins. Islamic dates, therefore, are designated Anno Hejiri (“year after the hejira” or “years after the hejira”). The year 1420 AH is the same as the year 2000 in the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries.
• Bahrain has been inhabited so long that some legends identify it as the site of the biblical Garden of Eden. (Iraq makes a similar claim.)
• Although Bahrain is more liberal than neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, it is still extremely conservative by Western standards. Women visitors to Bahrain are expected to cover most of their skin and to never wear less than a modest one-piece bathing suit.
• The Bahrain World Trade Center, built in 2008, was the world's first skyscraper to incorporate wind turbines in its design.

Bibliography

"Human Development Insights." Human Development Reports, 13 Mar. 2024, United Nations Development Programme, hdr.undp.org/data-center/country-insights#/ranks. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

"Bahrain." The World Bank, data.worldbank.org/country/bahrain. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

"Bahrain." The World Factbook, Central Intelligence Agency, 21 Jan. 2025, www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bahrain/. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.