Western Asia · AsiaBahrain
Discover Bahrain - an island kingdom in the Persian Gulf with 5,000 years of trading history, ancient Dilmun ruins, Formula 1, and the pearl diving heritage that built a nation.
Where Is Bahrain?
Bahrain is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Manama.
- Capital Manama
- Population 1.6M
- Area 765 km²
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf, and despite being the smallest Arab state, it has one of the longest histories of civilization in the region. This was ancient Dilmun, a legendary trading hub mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and for thousands of years it thrived on what the warm Gulf waters produced: pearls. Bahraini pearl divers built a culture and economy around those gems long before oil was discovered, and the pearl remains the national symbol.
Modern Bahrain punches way above its weight. It was the first Gulf state to discover oil (in 1932), the first to build a Formula 1 circuit in the Middle East, and has long been the most cosmopolitan and socially relaxed country in the region. Connected to Saudi Arabia by the 25-kilometer King Fahd Causeway, it serves as a weekend escape for Saudis and a financial hub for the Gulf. The capital Manama mixes old souqs selling spices and gold with a skyline of glass towers. At just 780 square kilometers, Bahrain is smaller than many cities, but its 5,000 years of continuous civilization give it a cultural depth that far outweighs its size.
At a glance
Largest cities in Bahrain
Manama
Muharraq
Riffa
Famous people from Bahrain
Qassim Haddad
LiteratureOne of the most influential modern Arab poets, whose experimental verse pushed the boundaries of Arabic poetry
Rashid Al Khalifa
ArtInternationally exhibited contemporary artist whose abstract works draw on Bahraini heritage and Islamic geometric traditions
Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa
SportRoyal family member who has championed Bahrain's rise in international athletics and combat sports
Traditional cuisine of Bahrain
- Machboos
- Bahrain's national dish - spiced rice with chicken, lamb, or fish seasoned with baharat, loomi, and saffron
- Muhammar
- Sweet rice cooked with date syrup and sugar, traditionally served alongside salty grilled fish for a sweet-savory balance
- Balaleet
- Sweet vermicelli noodles with cardamom and saffron, topped with a savory omelet, a beloved breakfast dish
- Samboosa
- Crispy triangular pastries filled with spiced meat, cheese, or vegetables, a staple during Ramadan iftar meals
Nature and landmarks in Bahrain
- Tree of LifeLandmark
- Solitary 400-year-old mesquite tree surviving in the desert with no apparent water source, one of Bahrain's most visited natural wonders
- Hawar IslandsIsland
- Protected archipelago off the coast home to the second-largest colony of Socotra cormorants in the world and rich marine life
- Al Areen Wildlife ReserveNational Park
- Desert reserve protecting Arabian oryx, gazelles, and other native species in Bahrain's arid interior
- Bahrain BayCoast
- Natural harbor that has served as a port for thousands of years, now flanked by modern development and ancient trading heritage
Sports in Bahrain
- Formula 1
- Hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix since 2004, the first F1 race in the Middle East, including a dramatic first-ever night race in the region
- Football
- Most popular sport in the country, with a passionate domestic league and a national team that has qualified for the Asian Cup
- MMA
- Bahrain has invested heavily in combat sports through BRAVE CF, building one of the region's strongest MMA organizations
Did you know?
Bahrain's name means Two Seas in Arabic, referring to the fresh water springs that bubble up from the seabed alongside the salty Gulf
The Bahraini dinar is the second highest-valued currency in the world, behind the Kuwaiti dinar
The Tree of Life has survived for over 400 years in the desert with no visible water source - how it survives remains a mystery
Bahrain was the first country in the Persian Gulf to discover oil, in 1932, transforming the nation overnight
Pearl diving was so central to Bahraini culture that the pearling path in Muharraq is now a UNESCO World Heritage site
Can you find Bahrain on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Bahrain and its neighbours without a second thought.
