Bahrain, the Pearl of the Arabian
Gulf, is an archipelago of 36 islands in the Gulf of Salwa, located in the heart
of the Arabian Gulf and covers a total land area of 706 square kilometres.
The word “Bahrain” means “two seas”, referring to the natural springs of water
rising from beneath the sea, which are used by the country’s famous pearl
divers. Bahrain has a rich heritage and culture and has landmarks to suggest
civilisation existed 5000 years ago, when Bahrain was known as “the island of a
million palm trees”. Dhow building, basket weaving, pottery and cloth weaving
are still practiced.
Bahrain offers a unique blend of ancient and modern values which add to its
charm. Modern skyscrapers rub shoulders with majestic looking mosques, and
embodiments of Islamic architecture. As well as modern shopping malls, colourful
souqs in narrow lanes lined with shops selling a myriad of items catering to a
variety of tastes.
Scientists theorise that Bahrain has been an island, separate from the Arabian
peninsula, for about 1 million years. The Bahrain-Saudi King Fahed Causeway now
links Bahrain to the mainland.
The country has a varied topography ranging from rocky deserts to lush green
vegetation, sandy beaches and parks on 36
