Bahrain

I

Introduction

Bahrain or Bahrein, independent kingdom in the Middle East, comprising an archipelago of 33 islands in the southern Persian Gulf, between the Qatar Peninsula on the east and the coast of Saudi Arabia on the west, one of the Persian Gulf states. It has a total area of 707 sq km (273 sq mi). The principal islands include Bahrain (area, 562 sq km/217 sq mi), by far the largest island; Al Muḩarraq; Umm an Na’san; Sitrah; Jiddah; and the Ḩawar group. Manama is Bahrain’s capital and largest city. Bahrain was under British control from 1861 to 1971, when it gained its independence.

II

Land and Resources

The islands of Bahrain are low-lying and rocky, with the exception of Bahrain Island, which rises to an elevation of 135 m (443 ft) in its centre. The climate is arid, with less than 100 mm (4 in) of rain falling annually, nearly all in the winter months (December to March). Summer humidity can be high. Average temperatures vary from about 19° C (65° F) in January to about 36° C (97° F) in July. Desert vegetation predominates; characteristic wildlife includes hares, lizards, and desert rats; the country also has a large variety of bird life. Petroleum is Bahrain’s principal mineral resource. Artesian wells, mainly along the northern coast of Bahrain Island, are used for water supply and irrigation.

Oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations have damaged coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation. Agricultural development has been neglected in Bahrain, and the limited arable land is being eroded. So far this is not a major problem because oil revenues allow food to be imported. The government has set up an Environmental Protection Committee and has begun to address some of these issues.

III

Population

The population of Bahrain is over 70 per cent Arab; roughly a third of the population is foreign-born, many of them Indian, Pakistani, Iranian, or European expatriate workers, but there are also large numbers of Arab immigrants. Bahrain has a population of 708,573 (2007 estimate), giving a population density of 1,066 people per sq km (2,760 per sq mi). Only half of these are Bahraini citizens. Average life expectancy at birth in 2007 was 72 years for men and 77 years for women. Infant mortality was 16 per 1,000 live births (2007). The majority of the population is concentrated in the northern part of the country.

A

Principal Cities

Bahrain’s principal cities are the capital, Manama, with a population of 138,643 (2003 estimate), and Al Muḩarraq, population 74,254 (1991). The population of Bahrain is estimated to be 90 per cent urban, and some 40 per cent of its inhabitants live in Manama.