Introduction An Arab state, Bahrain comprises of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain is the biggest of the islands and has lent its name to the entire archipelago. |
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Bahrain lies 24 km east of Saudi Arabia and 29 km west of Qatar.
The summers are extremely hot and humid in Bahrain, especially between April and October, with temperatures regularly rising to 43° C and sometimes reaching 52° C. However, winters are more pleasant with temperatures plummeting to 20° C or below. Seasonal winds periodically cause sandstorms and rough seas.
Flora And Fauna of Bahrain
Bahrain is home to a variety of plants and animals. Most of the plants that are found in Bahrain are salt-tolerant and desert resistant types, out of which palm trees are quite common. Animals include snakes and other reptiles, hares, scorpions, hedgehogs, and gazelles while the marine life is made up of mackerels, shrimps, pearl oysters, and dugongs.
The flag of Bahrain is red with a white serrated band, consisting of five white points on the hoist side. The five points represent the five pillars of Islam.
Bahrain lacks dramatic topographical features, such as mountains or valleys. The main island consists of a low desert plain that rises to a low central escarpment where Bahrain's highest point, Jabal ad Dukhan (134 m/440 ft), is located. Bahrain also lacks rivers, lakes and water bodies and obtains water for drinking and irrigation from underground aquifers. The smaller islands are generally low-lying, some being only a few feet above sea level.
People of Bahrain
Bahrain is mainly made up of the native Bahraini Arabs, who account for 63% of the population. While the remaining population consists of 13% of South and Southeast Asians, 10% of Arabs, 8% of Iranians and 6% of western Europeans and Americans. The society is relatively open and liberal and women usually outnumber men in terms of education.
Arts, Culture and Music of Bahrain
Arts include ceremonial dances accompanied by drums, readings of the Quran (Koran, or Islamic scripture), and storytelling. The poets of Bahraini are famous for their poetic verses and carry on established traditions while also exploring new themes. Births and marriages call for wide-scale celebrations in Bahrain, which often are a pleasure to take part in. Apart from this, the people of Bahrain are also known for their artistic skills, the boats used for fishing and pearling, being an example of this craftsmanship. The traditional jewelry also speaks volumes about the intricate designs that the people of Bahrain can come up with.
Economy of Bahrain
The economy of the country is mainly defined by oil production and refining but depletion of Bahrain's limited oil reserves has prompted the government to develop other industries as well. For example, in 1970, the government established Aluminum Bahrain (ALBA), an aluminum smelting industry which still remains an important industry. In a further effort at diversification, the government has also promoted tourism.
The government controls the oil and gas industry, most heavy manufacturing, and the bulk of the transportation and communications sectors, but it has undertaken efforts to privatize the economy, thus transferring banking, light manufacturing, and commerce into private hands.
Bahrain's gross domestic product (GDP) was $7.9 billion in 2001. Services, including public administration, banking, and tourism, accounted for 59 percent of the GDP. Industry accounted for 40 percent, with manufacturing responsible for 19 percent and oil and gas extraction for most of the remainder. Agriculture contributed only 1 percent of the GDP.
