I lived in Bahrain for 2 years and I had a blast! I love the country, its people and the huge diverse range of restaurants, shopping and cultures. It is small but has a large history. The only problem, SAND, it gets everywhere
HistoryThroughout its history Bahrain has been considered a focal point where different cultures and people meet, and where business and social exchanges occur in a peaceful and convenient setting.
The GovernmentThe Amir of Bahrain HH Sheikh Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, has been the Prime Minister since December 16, 1961, and is the architect of its modern socio-economic development. The preset governmental infrastructure was defined by two royal decrees, issued on August 14, 1971, Bahrain's Independence Day, when Bahrain reaffirmed its status as a fully independent sovereign state. The current ruler of Bahrain is HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa.
The CountryBahrain is an archipelago situated in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Salwa in the centre of the Arabian Gulf. Named Dilmun in earlier times, referred to as 'The Pearl of the Gulf'. It has an approximate land area of 106,550 sq. kms and its capital Manama, is located on the largest of its islands which occupies 85 percent of the country's total area.
Its climate is moderate by its island nature, with the surrounding sea helping to keep it a little cooler than mainland areas during summer and somewhat warmer during winter.
Rainfall is low and somewhat irregular with most falling during winter months. Summers are hot and dry with humidity. January is the coldest and June the hottest month.
Heritage and Culture Bahrain's long history is closely interwoven with the sea and it is therefore not surprising that its traditions have a distinctly maritime flavour, ranging as they do from songs and dances associated with pearling and fishing to the skills of boat building and sailing.
Bahrain is also part of the regional tribal culture involving crafts, stories, poetry, song and dance. Today many of the latter are still practiced on special occasions while practical art forms such as cloth weaving, pottery, and basketry are kept alive, often with various forms of government support. Traditional carpentry is often used to adorn modern buildings while embroidery is highly valued in dress making and for home decorations.
Bahrain's rich heritage is nurtured and protected by the Bahrain government, which tackles programmes through a number of organisations.
Radio Bahrain is the oldest of its kind in the Gulf region, having been originally launched in 1941 during the Second World War. It was closed in 1945 but relaunched in July 1955, initially with four hours broadcasting a day. In the 1960s it extended its programming and in 1981 moved into new premises. In the early 1990s Radio Bahrain commenced 24 hour broadcasting and introduced two short-wave transmission channels.
Bahrain Television started operating in 1973, initially with five hours of programming each day. In October 1996 Bahrain Satellite Broadcasting was introduced.
In January 1993 Bahrain Radio and Bahrain Television merged to form a single corporate entity. The new broadcasting authority, established under an Emiri decree, aims at achieving the highest standards of transmission utilising the latest information technology, within the guidelines of state policy.
Environment and WildlifeBahrain's nutrient rich eastern shores, hosts to thousands of migrating shorebirds; its scrub desert areas which support a number of specially adapted species of plants and animals; its offshore islands which are home to a number of rare and endangered species; and its shallow saline coastal waters which support a rich marine life including dugong, green turtle and sea-snakes.
Al Areen Wildlife Park, the brainchild of HH Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, is divided into two parts, one which is open to the public and the other which forms an off-limits reserve where access is only possible with special permission. Access to the park is by bus from the main entrance and follows a tar macadam road from which one can observe a variety of Arabian mammals such as Arabian oryx, and sand gazelle, together with other ungulates. Many wild birds are attracted to the park which plays a vital role in educating the public concerning conservation issues.
Social DevelopmentBahrain's position, in first place among Arab countries on the UNDP Human Development Index, issued in September 1998, is an indication of the strong emphasis that has been given to the country's social development in all fields.
Bahrain's first elementary school was opened in 1919, followed by the first girls' elementary school in 1928. The first industrial school was opened in 1936, while the first girls' secondary school opened in 1951. The religious school, established in 1943 to graduate Sharia law scholars, became known as the Religious Institute in 1960. The Teachers College was opened in 1966 and Khaliji Technology College was incorporated into Bahrain University in 1968. Private education began with Manama School in 1952 and the Private Education Act was passed in 1961. Meanwhile the Joint National Committee for Adult Education was formed in 1971. Bahrain University College for Science, Arts, and Education (Bahrain University) was inaugurated in 1979 while the Arabian Gulf University commenced its operations with a faculty of medicine.
In 1996 there were four government hospitals and three private hospitals in addition to the military hospital. Also there were 19 government medical centres and five maternity centres. The total investment in the health sector in 1998 was BD 58 million.
Promoting the interests of young people also falls within the remit of the Youth and Sports Authority which develops youth and sports programmes aimed at training young people to meet the challenges of adulthood. The Authority also includes under its wings, the Junior Science Clubs, which in turn surprise child and youth science centres, together with the Sulman Cultural Centre for children.
ClimateBahrain's climate is tempered somewhat by its islands nature and the moderating effect of the surrounding sea. Winter temperatures are around 25o to 27o while summers enter the 40s. Humidity is lowest in summer months. Rainfall fluctuates dramatically from less than 20 mm to over 200 mm per year.
PopulationBahrain is one of the first countries in the Arab world to undertake, in 1941, a scientific census of its population. Latest census figures, from 1991, indicate a population of 508,037 with three per cent annual growth rate which is considered very high by international standards.
Independence Day: August 14.
National Day: December 16.
Religion: Islam.
Language: Arabic (but English very widely spoken)
Capital: Manama.
Time: 3 hours ahead of GMT.
Currency: Bahraini Dinar.
HotelsThere is every major hotel in Bahrain and these can be found in any travel guide, they range from the SAS Radisson to the Ritz Carlton, which has a gorgeous Spa.
Restaurants and Night LifeThere is a wide range of restaurants to choose from, from the local cuisine to the more luxurious Blue Elephant (Thai). You will find Chinese, Indian, French you name it!
Night life is plentiful, with a host of clubs, pubs and bars to choose from. You can enjoy a pint at the Irish Bar, Fiddlers Green, located at the SAS Radisson Hotel, or the other Irish Bar is JJ's which has an adjoining nightclub called BJ's. There is also Al Layali (which translates to The Nights in Arabic), located at the Sheraton Hotel. A British pub called The Sherlock Holmes is located at The Gulf Hotel and Riks Kountry Kitchen is the place to go in Juffair (where the American Navy Base is located). The place is an American Bar/Restaurant and is owned by a guy called Rik, who is from Texas. The bar is lively and has live music and is run by a very experienced bar staff with waitress service also.
LeisureGolf: There is a gorgeous golf course called Riffa Golf Club, which is well worth a visit for the next budding Tiger!
Horse Riding: Is available at the riding stables in Sar, owned privately, or you can go to the Bahrain Country Club and take lessons there also, the guy there who takes the lessons is a great guy and we had so muchg fun there with him!
Access to other areas in the GulfThere is very easy access to other Gulf Countries from Bahrain. You can get to Saudi Arabia by travelling across the Causeway (you do need to take your passport), and also you can fly very easuly to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar quite inexpensively also.
Bahrain Starter Kit, It's a small country but with a large history
Jan 21 2008, 08:10 PM
