General Information » Bahrain Overview » Geography

Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands with a combined area of 707 square kilometres situated in the Arabian Gulf. It sits off the east coast of Saudi Arabia about halfway between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Iran lies 200km to the north-east. Bahrain is roughly the same size as Singapore. The Arabian Gulf has an average depth of only 35 metres and most of it in the vicinity of Bahrain is much shallower than this.

The main island of Bahrain is 586.5 square kilometres. It is linked by causeways to Muharraq, which holds the international airport, and Sitra, where the country’s main industrial area is based. There are numerous other small islands, but they are mainly uninhabited and are mostly nesting sites for migratory birds. Most development in Bahrain is concentrated on the northern third of the main island, which is undergoing extensive reclamation.

Bahrain is almost completely flat, the highest point being Jebel Ad Dukhan (which means Smoke Mountain), which stands a mere 134m above sea level in the central region. The majority of Bahrain’s oil wells are in this area, which consists of limestone rock covered with saline sand.

Bahrain’s name is derived from the Arabic words ‘thnain Bahr’ (two seas) and refers to the sweet water springs under the sea, which mix with the salt water. This is believed to be responsible for the beauty of Bahrain’s natural pearls. Historically, Bahrain was known as an area of greenery in contrast to the region’s deserts, as for centuries, the northern and western coastal belts were watered by a large number of natural springs. In the last 40 years, however, this has changed, and the island is a lot less lush than it used to be. As increasing demands have been made on the underground springs and on the land itself, many of the island’s natural date palms and other plants have disappeared.

The country represents a fascinating blend of traditional Arab and western cultures. Unlike many of its regional neighbours, Bahrain has a large local population living alongside its expatriate population. Its development and modernity is reflected in the high-rise buildings of the ever-expanding commercial district, but a rapidly dwindling number of traditional houses can still be seen in Manama and Muharraq. The traditional way of life still remains, however, particularly among older Bahrainis.