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Bahrain
Quick Overview:
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf offering a blend of ancient and modern. Skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodiments of Islamic art, culture and architecture. Manama, Bahrain's capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout follows traditional lines. To sample some of Bahrain's past, a visit to the A'ali Burial Mounds (the world's largest cemetery) is recommended. Other sites of antiquity include The House of Al Jasra (birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain) and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque (Bahrain's largest mosque). Other attractions include long stretches of sandy beaches and coral reefs. The largest and most pleasant beach can be found at Al Jazair. Arabic food is spicy and strongly flavoured. Lamb is the principal meat, while chicken, turkey and duck are also eaten. Arak (grape spirit flavoured with aniseed) and beer are the most common drinks. Restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas showing English and Arabic films can be found in the main towns.
Geography:
The people of Bahrain are very proud of the fact that they were one of the first territories outside mainland Arabia to accept Islam. And to do so peacefully. About the year 640A.D., the Prophet Mohammed sent a letter to the ruler of Bahrain inviting him to adopt Islam. For whatever reasons he did so fairly soon thereafter and for another two centuries, Christians and Muslims lived peacefully together in Bahrain. Even today in 1996, Bahrain has a tiny community of indigenous Christians. Bahrain was a part of both the Umayyad and Abbasid empires from the 9th to 11th centuries. It was a staunchly Shiite Muslim community -- once again because of the Persian influences -- and during these years, it appears to have been well-governed and prosperous. It once again became an important port on the trade routes (pictured) between Iraq and India. Bahrain changed hands often during the Middle Ages and was caught in various squabbles and disputes between petty Gulf sheikhs who seem to have been constantly fighting with one another. In 1487 the Omanis conquered Bahrain and built a fort whose ruins can be seen today. Prior to their arrival, the island had been visited two years earlier by a Portuguese explorer who had commented on both the quality and the number of pearls. The Portuguese were in the Gulf for a little over a century, being driven from Bahrain in 1602 by the Bahrainis themselves. After the expulsion of the Portuguese, the Bahrainis appealed to the Persians for protection and so once again came under their control. The Al-Khalifa, the ruling family of Bahrain, arrived in the islands in the mid-18th century. They came from Kuwait where they had helped their relatives, the Al-Sabah, to establish power there. At first, the Al-Khalifa had settled on the northwestern coast of Qatar but in the early 1780's, they drove the Persians out of Bahrain and occupied the principal islands. From then until now, the Al-Khalifa have maintained their control of Bahrain. In June 1932 oil was discovered in commercial quantities in Bahrain. It was important for two reasons: first, it was the initial discovery of oil on the Arab side of the Gulf and second, it more or less coincided with the collapse of the world pearl market. (The Japanese had been instrumental in this with their manufacture of cultured pearls.) Because Bahrain was the first Gulf state to discover oil, it was also the first to enjoy the benefits that came with the revenues -- specifically, a marked improvement in the quality of education and health care. The oil reserves of Bahrain are quite small and, by Gulf standards, it produces only a token quantity of oil. This has proved to be an advantage, however. Without the resources for a boom, Bahrain has moved more slowly and thoughtfully into the technological age. The necessity to diversify their economy as well as their long history as a trading country have proved to be a fortuitous set of circumstances. Bahrain remained a protectorate of Great Britain until 1968, when the agreement between the two countries was cancelled by mutual consent. In 1971, Bahrain achieved total independence under the rule of sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa who became both Emir (Prince) and Prime Minister of the newly formed state. Bahrain's modern day history was an example of stability, despite the fact that the Parliament was dissolved in 1975. At the end of 1994, "foreign backed" militants caused unrest in the state by attacking hotels and restaurants using explosive devices, the situation was contained and stability returned to Bahrain. On 6 March 1999, the ruling prince, sheik Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, died of natural causes at the age of 65. His son, sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa ascended to the throne in a smooth transition.
Related Links:
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News Daily Bahrain News Bahrain Post Bahrain Tribune |
Offical Sites Offical Government Site |
Country Guides AlBahrain Guide Bahrain Vacation Guide |
Education Ministry of Education 4arabs Education |