Bahrain

Bahrain is an island nation located in West Asia.

It sits within the Persian Gulf near the coast of Qatar. The country is also near the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. A long bridge called the King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain to the Saudi mainland. The nation is an archipelago, which is a group of islands. It consists of 33 natural islands and 50 artificial islands.

Bahrain Island is the largest part of this group. It makes up about 80 percent of the total landmass.

The name Bahrain has a unique linguistic history. It comes from the Arabic word *Bahr*, meaning "sea." The name is the dual form, meaning "the two seas."

Scholars debate what these two seas actually are. One theory suggests they are the bays on either side of the island. Another idea points to the salt water of the gulf and fresh water underground. In some areas, fresh water bubbles up through the saltwater. A different theory mentions the Persian Gulf and Al-Asfar Lake. For a long time, the entire region of Eastern Arabia was called Bahrain.

Ancient history shows that Bahrain was a vital trade hub. During the Bronze Age, it was the site of the Dilmun civilization.

This civilization linked Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley through trade. Later, the islands were known to the Greeks as Tylos. The Greek admiral Nearchus visited the islands while serving Alexander the Great. He described a verdant land with many cotton trees. These trees produced cloth called *sindones* for trade in Arabia and India. The islands even hosted Greek athletic contests and used local coinage.

Religion and culture have shifted many times in Bahrain. In the 5th century, it became a center for Nestorian Christianity.

The population included Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. Islam arrived in the region during the lifetime of Muhammad. In 628 AD, an envoy was sent to the local ruler, Munzir ibn-Sawa. Following this, the area converted to Islam. In the Middle Ages, a group called the Qarmatians seized control. They were a Muslim sect that sought to create a utopian society. They even took the Black Stone from Mecca for a period of time.

Many different empires and families have held power in Bahrain. The Portuguese Empire ruled the islands from 1521 until 1602.

They were eventually expelled by Shah Abbas the Great of the Safavid Iran. In 1783, the Bani Utbah tribes captured the islands. Since then, the Al Khalifa royal family has ruled the nation. In the late 19th century, the United Kingdom held Bahrain as a protectorate. The country finally declared its independence in 1971. Today, it is a semi-constitutional monarchy.

Bahrain has a very modern and diverse economy. It was one of the first post-oil economies in the Persian Gulf.

The government invested heavily in the banking and tourism sectors. Manama, the capital, is home to many large financial institutions. However, oil revenues still provide a significant part of the government budget. The World Bank recognizes Bahrain as a high-income economy. As of 2024, the population is 1,588,670 people. About 53.4 percent of these residents are expatriates from other countries.

The nation is an active member of the global community. Bahrain belongs to the United Nations and the Arab League. It is also part of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In 2011, the country saw protests inspired by the Arab Spring.

The ruling Al Khalifa family faced criticism regarding human rights. This included treatment of political opposition and the Shia Muslim population. Despite these challenges, Bahrain remains a major center for finance and trade in West Asia.