About Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf. The word Bahrain, “Two Seas”, means that the islands contain two kinds of water, sweet water springs and salty water in the sea. Saudi Arabia is to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway, and Qatar is to the south across the Persian Gulf. The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge (not yet built) will link Bahrain to Qatar as the longest fixed bridge in the world.

A location between East and West, fertile lands, fresh water, and pearls made Bahrain important in history. About 2300 BC, Bahrain started trading with Mesopotamia (now Iraq) and the Indus Valley (now near India). It was then called Delmon, and was linked to the Sumerian Civilization about 2000 BC. Bahrain also became part of the Babylonian empire about 600 BC. Historical records called Bahrain the “Life of Eternity”, “Paradise”, the “Pearl of the Persian Gulf” and other names.

Until 1521, Bahrian also ruled Ahsa and Qatif (both are now the eastern province of Saudi Arabia) and Awal (now the Bahrain Islands). The country had all of the land from what is now Kuwait to Oman. This was called Iqlim Al-Bahrain (Province of Bahrain). In 1521, the Portuguese took Awal (now Bahrain) from the rest and since then the name of Bahrain only means today’s Bahrain.

The modern history of Bahrain begins with Great Britain exploring the area, trying to keep Iran from taking more land. The British gave support to the Al-Khalifa family, who made a power base in the island and allied with the British to keep the island from Iran. The British got free passage to the Persian Gulf through this agreement. In November of 1957, the Iranian parliament declared that Bahrain was the Fourteenth Province of Iran. Later the British would become involved in the politics of Bahrain by choosing an Emir of the island. Iran and Britain later agreed that the United Nations Secretary General would judge the political situation in Bahrain. In a Plebiscite to decide the country’s future, the majority of the people of Bahrain chose to reject Iran’s claims, and to define their country and their culture to be Arabic, and not Persian.

Oil was found in the early 20th century and brought modern improvements to the country. Relations with the United Kingdom also became closer, and the British brought more military bases to the nation. British influence grew, until Charles Belgrave became an advisor; Belgrave brought modern education to Bahrain.

After World War II, anti-British feeling spread through the Arab world and led to riots in Bahrain. The British left Bahrain in 1971, making it an independent country. The sales of more oil in the 1980s brought money to Bahrain, but even when the sales of oil decreased in later years, it did not cause as many problems in Bahrain as in other oil coutnries, because the economy of Bahrain had grown into other areas.

BahrainGuide.org is a great resource for information on Bahrain. WordTravels.com and Lonely Planet are also good sources of visitors’ information for Bahrain.

Things to see and do in Bahrain…

Bab Al Bahrain

The throbbing heart of the island. You’ll quickly discover that life in Bahrain somehow revolves around this landmark. “Bab Al Bahrain” quite literally means “gateway to Bahrain.” When it was originally designed by Sir Charles Belgrave in 1945, it housed the government offices of the time and overlooked the sea as the dock was just where the taxi rank is. The sea was long ago reclaimed. Government Avenue, which runs alongside Bab Al Bahrain, was built on reclaimed land and essentially ran along the coastline. The bab itself was refurbished in 1986 to incorporate Islamic architectural features. The ground floor now houses a handicraft shop; hours: 8am-noon and 4.30pm-6pm, closed Fridays. Bab Al Bahrain also serves as the entrance to the suq (bazaar). Which leads us to…

Shopping

If you are thinking that Bahrain is just Formula One Racers’ heaven well think twice because it is also a shoppers’ heaven! In fact, one can have a wide variety of choice on where they will have their shopping, depending on what they are looking for. A visit to the souqs or traditional shopping markets should be ‘a must’ in every shopoholics’ itinerary when they visit Bahrain. But of course, if there are traditional shopping markets there are also modern shopping malls which offer international brands. These shopping malls also provide recreational experiences. Here are some of the top and popular shopping malls in Bahrain but I tell you, these are just few of the many!

One of Bahrain’s popular shopping malls is Al Seef Mall. It combines both the modern and traditional shopping mall element in terms of its architecture, which really adds luring invitation to shoppers. However, when you get tired of shopping, you can also visit the food courts and cinemas for entertainment.

A’ali Mall is known for having the look of the traditional open-air souq within its air-conditioned confines. Aside form the wonderful shopping mall aesthetic, this shopping mall offers wide range of souvenirs and top of the line designer stores.

Saar Digs and Burial Grounds

The earliest recorded references to Bahrain date to the third millennium BC when it was known as Dilmun. An entire 100-by-150-metre village from that era has been excavated, unearthing stunning chapters in the island’s long history. The digs at Saar have proved the existence of a very organised lifestyle with well-ordered roads, houses with courtyards and a central marketplace. For anyone even faintly interested in ancient civilisations, the site of the dig will be a hugely fascinating experience.

Bahrain has what is believed to be the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world. There were some 170,000 burial mounds dating to between 3000 BC and 600 AD. Road and house construction has probably brought the burial-mound number down to 10,000-20,000. Each mound contained a stone-built chamber which formed a grave for a person buried in the foetal position along with various elements presumably believed to be needed in the next world. Few of the mounds are intact today, many having been looted in the past or destroyed over the years. The best preserved of the mounds, including tall mounds referred to as royal burial mounds, can be seen at A’ali village.

Tree of Life

A desert mystery. Far into the desert stands a broad, shady, mature mesquite tree in solitary splendour. The lone tree in a sea of sand almost seems like a mirage. To this day, the tree’s source of water remains a mystery. Some believe it gets its nourishment from an underground spring but that doesn’t explain the complete lack of vegetation in the vicinity. Local lore dates the tree in millenniums but botanists say it may be several hundred years old.

Al-Areen Wildlife Park

Situated in the village of Zallaq, the sanctuary was inaugurated in 1975 under the gracious patronage of His Highness the Amir. Covering eight square kilometers, the sanctuary provides a natural habitat for several kinds of plants and more than 500 species of animals and birds. The animals include Arabian Reem gazelles, oryx, zebras, huge tortoises, desert hedgehogs and Arabian camels, as well as various birds such as ostriches, flamingoes, eagles, storks and ducks. Guided tours are conducted within the sanctuary where animals can be seen in their respective natural habitats. Special educational visits are also arranged for children.

Barbar Temple

Barbar temple is an archaeological site located in the village of Barbar, Bahrain, and considered to be part of the Dilmun culture. The most recent of the three Barbar temples was rediscovered by a Danish archaeological team in 1954. A further two temples were discovered on the site with the oldest dating back to 3000 BC. The temples were built of limestone blocks, believed to have been carved out from the nearby Jidda Island. The three temples were built atop one another with the second built approximately 500 years later and the third added between 2100BC and 2000BC. It’s thought that the temples were constructed to worship the god Enki, the god of wisdom and freshwater, and his wife Nankhur Sak (Ninhursag). The temple contains two altars and a natural water spring that is thought to have held spiritual significance for the worshippers. During the excavation of the site many tools, weapons, pottery and small pieces of gold were found which are now on display in the Bahrain National Museum.

Historic Forts

Bahrain Fort

Seven layers of history. Historically, this is one of Bahrain’s most important sites. The fort itself was built in the 14th century by the Portuguese but excavations at the site reveal six other distinct eras of the place, dating back to the Dilmun era, or around 3000 BC during which time it may have been the island’s capital.

Riffa Fort

Splendid view across the valley. Built in 1812, the fort offers a splendid view across Hunanaiya valley. Until 1869, the site was the seat of government and a strategic location in its day. It is believed the fort was built on the ruins of a castle dating back to 1698.

Arad Fort

Impressive by day or night. This 15th-century fort, built in Arabic style, was occupied by the Portuguese for nearly a century. Close to the airport, the structure is illuminated at night. By day, visitors like to amble over its expansive esplanade and climb the steps to the observation towers. It is believed that the fort was used by the Omanis during their brief occupation of Bahrain in 1800, and it’s located adjacent to the strategic waterways between Bahrain Island and Muharraq Island. Little is known of the fort history, and there is no firm evidence of the precise date of construction, but comprehensive excavations have been undertaken in order to discover its past.

Islands & Beaches

A country consisting of 33 natural islands amply provides an open resort for beach and sea lovers. A wide choice of water recreational facilities for individuals, families and groups are available. Regular visits are arranged to the Al-Dar Islands and to Hawar Island which comprise six main islands that have been declared a natural environmental preserve. A resort exists on the main island of Hawar with all facilities including a hotel, swimming pool, water sports and other attractions. Other beaches in Bahrain include the Ritz Carlton Hotel beach and Al-Bander Resort, where duplex rooms and chalets are available for rent. The resort runs a widely popular seafood restaurant.