Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia’s east coast and the Qatar peninsula with Manama, as the capital city. At the centre of the island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain’s oil wells are to be found in this area.

The main island has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore. There are extensive date gardens to the north with irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic 24km- (15-mile-) long King Fahad Causeway links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

This group of 35 islands lies in the Persian Gulf, close to the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia and not far from the western coast of Qatar. Bahrain, the main island from which the country took its name, is connected to Saudi Arabia by a causeway. Another causeway links Bahrain with Al Muharraq, the second largest island in the group. The capital city of Manama is located in the main island. All the islands are low-lying; the highest point is 400 ft (122 m). Most of the land is naturally barren. However, drainage and other schemes have increased the amount of cultivable land. Summers are extremely hot and humid, and there is virtually no rain between June and November. Wintertime temperatures remain around 65ºF (18ºC)

History

Known in ancient times as Dilmun, Bahrain was an important center of trade by the 3rd millennium B.C. The islands were ruled by the Persians in the 4th century A.D., and then by Arabs until 1541, when the Portuguese invaded them. Persia again claimed Bahrain in 1602. In 1783 Ahmad ibn al-Khalifah took over, and the al-Khalifahs remain the ruling family today. Bahrain became a British protectorate in 1820. It did not gain full independence until Aug. 14, 1971.

Although oil was discovered in Bahrain in the 1930s, it was relatively little compared to other Gulf states, and the wells are expected to be the first in the region to dry up. Sheik Isa ibn Sulman al-Khalifah, who became emir in 1961, was determined to diversify his country's economy, and he set about establishing Bahrain as a major financial center. The country provides its people with free medical care, education, and old-age pensions.

Conflicts between the Shiites and Sunnis are a continuing problem in Bahrain. The Sunni minority, to which the ruling al-Khalifah family belongs, controls nearly all the power and wealth in the country. Shiite Muslims have continued to agitate for more representation in government, and minor violent clashes have led to about two dozen deaths since 1994.

Bahrain has been an important Western ally, serving as a Western air base during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the Iraq war in 2003. It continues to serve as the base of the United States' Fifth Fleet, which patrols the Gulf.

The emir, Sheik Isa ibn Sulman al-Khalifah, died in 1999 after four decades of rule. He was succeeded by his son, Sheik Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifah, who gave himself the title of king but also began a sweeping democratization of the country: censorship has been relaxed and draconian laws repealed, exiles have been repatriated, and the stateless Bidoons have been granted citizenship. In a Feb. 2001 referendum, which permitted women to vote for the first time, Bahrainis overwhelmingly supported the transformation of the traditional monarchy into a constitutional one. In Oct. 2002, Bahrain had its first parliamentary election since 1973. In 2006, the U.S. and Bahrain signed a free-trade agreement.

Oil dominates Bahrain’s economy and, together with gas and petrochemicals, accounts for the bulk of exports and government revenue. That proportion is falling, however, as Bahrain seeks to diversify its economy and the reserves dwindle.

Several successful industrial projects, including aluminium production, an iron-ore processing facility and an ammonia-methanol plant, have been set up.In the service sector, the financial services industry has expanded dramatically in recent years, as companies trading in the region have set up their regional centres in Bahrain, where the relatively relaxed environment is an important factor in a region where rigorous social mores are often the norm.

In September 2004, a Free Trade Pact was signed with the USA. However, Saudi Arabia condemned the move, saying it hindered regional economic integration.

A long tradition of association with other cultures, a stable government and a strong sense of national identity make Bahrain a pleasant place to live. It is one of the few countries in the Gulf where the nationals represent the majority.Arabic is the official language of Bahrain. Farsi is not uncommon, and English is widely used in business.

Bahrain's population is a young one, with almost half under twenty. Illiteracy has virtually disappeared among young people and a high proportion of Bahrainis speaks English, which is a compulsory second language in schools.

Islam is practised by around 85% of Bahraini society (of which 60% is Shi’ite and 40% Sunni). There are also other faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism.

Traditional beliefs and customs are strong influences and people are generally more formal than Westerners. Attitudes to women are more liberal than in most Gulf States. Homosexuality, however, is illegal. Video cassettes will be withheld on arrival at the airport. It is illegal for Muslims to purchase alcohol from retail outlets. It is acceptable to sit cross-legged on cushions or sofas in people’s homes but it is still insulting to display the soles of the feet or shoes or to accept food or anything else with the left hand. It is polite to drink two small cups of coffee or tea when offered. Guests will generally be expected to share a bedroom since guest bedrooms and privacy are almost unknown. Sports clothes may be worn in the street and short dresses are acceptable; however, revealing clothing should be avoided. Smoking is very common and cheap by European standards.

June to October, hot and humid (42°C/108°F), December to April, mild (10-20°C/50-68°F). December through to March can be quite cool. Rainfall is slight and occurs mainly in winter. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant months.

Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens from spring to autumn, mediumweight clothes from November to March. Warmer clothes are necessary in winter and on cool evenings.

Currency:
Dinar (BHD) = 1,000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BHD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils.

Currency Exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureaux de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureaux de change than at the airport or at hotels.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs:
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. ATMs are available in major cities.

Banking Hours:
Sat-Wed 07:30-12:00 and 15:30-17:30; Thurs 07:30-11:00. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday.

• Time: GMT + 3.
• Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz).
• Country code: 973

Imports: 200 cigarettes, half a pound of tobacco and one bottle of spirits are allowed duty free.

Prohibited are pornographic and obscene literature and pictures, arms and ammunition, cultured and undrilled pearls.

Getting There by Air: The national airline serving Bahrain is Gulf Air (GF). Several flights a week leave from Bahrain International Airport for other destinations within Bahrain.

Main Airports: Bahrain International (BAH) (Muharraq) is 6.5km (4 miles) northeast of Manama. Bus and taxi services run across the causeway to the main island (journey time – 15 minutes). Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, first aid, bars, snack bars, restaurants, nursery, prayer room, tourist information, post office, car hire and car parking are located alson in main airports. Routes serve most towns and villages.

Getting There by Road: A car drive to Dhahran (Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Bahrain using the King Fahad Causeway. A toll fee of approximately BD2 is payable by persons driving out of Bahrain. Normal Saudi Arabian visa regulations apply.Traffic drives on the right. Manama is served by an excellent road system. Road signs are written in English and Arabic.Metered taxis are readily available. They can be hired in the street or from stands outside hotels and at major tourist attractions. They are identifiable by their orange side-wings and yellow number plates. Taxis waiting outside hotels may charge more. Share-taxis which carry up to five passengers are also available. These are recognisable by a yellow circle with the licence number in black painted on the driver’s door and by their white and orange number plates. There are several designated pick-up points. Meters are not used and fares should always be agreed beforehand. Radio cabs are also available.Speed limits are 100kph (62mph) on highways and between 50-80kph (31-50mph) on all other roads.

Getting There by Water: Main ports: Mina Salman, Mina Manama and Mina Muharraq. These ports offer a quick and efficient entry into the country from all parts of the world. Passenger ferries operate between Iran and Bahrain (journey time – 16 hours). A port tax may be payable.Transport between the smaller islands is by motorboat or dhow.

Visa requirements:
British citizens and Gulf Cooperation Council nationals (GCC -- Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman) do not need visas to enter Bahrain. Britons may stay up to one month while GCC nationals are free to stay as long as they like.

On production of a confirmed return or onward air ticket, passport-holders of most other western nations can get a 72-hour transit visa or a 7-day tourist visa upon arrival at Bahrain Airport or at the Bahraini customs post on the causeway from Saudi Arabia. The 72-hour visa costs BD4 and the 7-day one BD8, payable in either Bahraini or Saudi currency. In the transit lounge at the airport there is a money changer. Arrivals at the airport are often asked to show an onward or return air ticket.Israeli stamps in your passport mean you will not be admitted to Bahrain.

One problem with arriving in Bahrain without a visa is that Bahrain does not recognize the idea of naturalization. In other words, if you are an Indian-born American or Briton who is a naturalized citizen of either country, you remain, as far as Bahraini immigration officials are concerned, an Indian, which means you cannot be issued with a visa at the airport. The best and safest way around this possible problem is to have your visa arranged by one of the larger hotels in Bahrain.

Whatever your national background, if you classify yourself as a journalist, writer or editor, you stand a good chance of being refused admittance to Bahrain unless the Ministry of Information is sponsoring your visa. This glitch is also applicable to British citizens even if they are on holiday or in transit for a single night. The ministry normally takes about a week to arrange visas.

Women travelling alone may also experience difficulty in being granted visas at the airport. The rules pertaining to unaccompanied females seem to change frequently. Older women will probably have no problem but younger ones would do well to book a room at a hotel and have the hotel arrange the visa.

Drivers coming from Saudi Arabia are required to sign a guarantee promising to take the car out of Bahrain after a specified time. This paper is very important, as it must be turned in to customs on the way out of the country. A mandatory insurance fee of BD1.5 or SR15 is levied upon each car crossing the causeway.

Arranging a visa through a hotel
A hotel in Bahrain can act as your sponsor. In order to arrange this, send the hotel a fax at least three weeks prior to the date you wish to arrive in Bahrain. Include all your passport data as well as arrival and departure times and the purpose of your visit (tourism is acceptable).

You should give exact information about the time and flight you will arrive on. It is wise to include a telephone number and possibly a fax number where you can be reached. Obviously, it is also a good idea to reconfirm everything by phone a few days before your arrival. The hotel is then your sponsor and the small visa fee -- usually under BD5 -- will be added to your bill. The visa can be collected at the airport, port or on the causeway from Saudi Arabia.

It is unfortunately true that hotels are less eager to arrange visas than they once were. If you can give them a good reason, they will do so though they are happy to extend your visa once you are in the country and are staying in one of their rooms.

Extending Visas
Hotels that can obtain visas can also get them extended. They do prefer, however, to have you get a 72-hour transit visa and then let them handle the extension. The procedure is a simple one: pay the hotel a few dinars -- BD8 plus a hotel charge of BD 2-BD4 -- for a one week extension.

The government is very intolerant of people staying in the country and working on a tourist visa. If you want to stay in the country for more than two weeks, you will almost certainly be asked to explain your reasons.

Al Areen Wildlife Park
This wildlife park was the brainchild of His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, The Crown Prince of Bahrain. It is divided into two parts, one of which is open to the public. The reserve area is off-limits without special permission. Access to the park is by bus from the main entrance. This takes parties around a tarmac road from which you are able to obtain good views of a variey of Arabian mammals, some roaming free and others in pens.

There are also some African animals which remain from the initial establishment of the park. Arabian species include scimitar-horned oryx, addax, Arabian oryx, dama gazelle, Nubian ibex, wild goat, barbary sheep and Asiatic onager. Wild bird species are also attracted to the park. Near to the administrative building is a walkway which gives close views of various species of bird and animal. There are cafeteria facilities here. The park is opened daily from 8 -11.00 a.m. and 1-4.30 p.m.

Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park
Lost Paradise of Dilmun was launched at a press conference followed by a very high-profile evening function culminating in a dazzling firework finale. It was attended by more than 400 invited VIPs and guests including ministers, ambassadors, ,sharia board members and members of the Royal Court.

Lost Paradise is the most recent high tech water park in the Middle East, covering 77,000 square metres and featuring the very latest water park technology designed by Malaysia-based Sim Leisure Consultants, a leading water park designer. Constructed and installed by Canada’s Whitewater West, the water slides, wave pool and interactive structures are the newest in the Gulf.