Geography of Bahrain

The Arabian Peninsula in West Asia's Gulf of Bahrain contains 33 of the 37 Bahrain Islands. And, Bahrain Island together make up the Kingdom of Bahrain. Bahrain is well-known for its lush date palm plantations, and from ancient times, it has served as a commerce hub and a supplier of raw materials for the region. The ancient kingdom of Dilmun, a trading hub with ancient Sumer, is thought to have existed on Bahrain Island. Bahrain, being situated in one of the world's major oil-producing regions, barely has modest petroleum supplies on hand.

Instead, its economy has long been dependent on refining crude oil from nearby nations. More recently, however, the financial, commercial services, and communications industries have experienced significant growth, as has tourism. On the north-eastern corner of Bahrain Island sits Manama (Al-Manmah), the nation's principal city, harbor, and capital.

Physical Features

The islands are located 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Qatar and around 24 kilometers (15 mi) off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. About 4 times the size of the District of Columbia, the country has a total area of 694 square kilometers (268 sq. mi). Approximately 78% of the kingdom's total land area, or 604 square kilometers (233 square miles), is made up of Bahrain Island. It is 48 kilometers (30 mi) long from north to south and 16 kilometers (10 mi) wide at its widest point. The island occupies a crucial location in the Persian Gulf's shipping channels and is flanked by numerous significant oil resources in the Middle East.

Bahrain's overall land area is somewhat larger than Singapore's. Saudi Arabia is located to the west across the Gulf of Bahrain, and the Qatar peninsula is located to the east. The 15-mile-long (24-kilometer-long) King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The state is made up of two distinct groupings of islands that stretch roughly 30 miles (50 km) north to south and 10 miles (16 km) east to west. Bahrain's main island covers seven-eighths of the country's total land area and is bordered by smaller islands.

Two of these, Al-Muarraq and Sitrah, are connected to Bahrain Island by causeways that have facilitated residential and industrial development; other islands in the group include Nabī Ṣāliḥ, Al-Muḥammadiyyah (Umm al-Ṣabbān), Umm al-Naʿsān (linked by the King Fahd Causeway), and Jiddah. The Ḥawār Islands are located on the coast of Qatar, around 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Bahrain Island; a dispute with Qatar about ownership of the islands was settled in 2001, when the International Court of Justice gave them to Bahrain. They are small and rugged, and only a few fisherman and quarry employees live there, yet they are thought to have petroleum and natural gas deposits.

Climate

Bahrain's summers are uncomfortable because of the heavy humidity and frequent high temperatures. From May through October, midday temperatures are above 90 °F (32 °C), frequently exceeding 95 °F (35 °C), while summer nights are hot and muggy. The winters are milder and cosier, with average lows of 70 °F (21 °C) from December to March.

Rainfall only occurs during the winter and only amounts to an average of 3 inches (75 mm) per year, though it might be as little as none or as much as twice that much. Only 10 days a year, on average, see rain. There is always enough of sunshine. The shamāl, a wet north-westerly breeze, is the major wind; the qaws, a hot, dry south wind, is less common and brings low humidity, sand, and dust.

Flora and Fauna

The barren, dry regions of the archipelago are home to some 200 distinct types of desert plants, while the irrigated and cultivated sectors of the islands are home to fruit trees, fodder crops, and vegetables. The desert environment limits the variety of species. The mongoose, which was presumably transported from India, is present in the irrigated areas, along with gazelles, hares, lizards, and jerboas (desert rodents). Except for spring and fall, when a variety of migratory birds stop in Bahrain to temporarily rest on their way to and from more temperate latitudes, there are few birds to be found there.

The northern and north-western beaches provide a startling contrast, constituting a thin band of date palms and vegetable gardens irrigated from abundant springs and wells that tap artesian water.

Drainage

The southern and western lowlands are made up of a desolate sandy plain with some salt marshes. Precipitation on Saudi Arabia's western mountains is the source of this water. Bahrain has fertile soil thanks to the plentiful fresh water, which helped Bahrain become historically significant as a port and a hub for trade in the Persian Gulf.

The country's artesian water supply has been outpaced by economic development and population increase, and now, almost three-fifths of the water utilized originates from seawater desalinization plants powered by natural gas.

Resources

Bahrain's oil production has never been large by Middle Eastern standards, and since massive oil resources were found on the mainland, refining crude oil imported from Saudi Arabia has become much more important. In 1998, Bapco started a significant modernisation project for its refinery. Al-Barayn (also known as Awali), Bahrain's sole oil field, is running out quickly.

However, the government has given exploration rights to a number of oil corporations. Offshore natural gas resources for the nation are a little more significant. Resources and production of petroleum and natural gas are nationalized, although in the 1990s the government started promoting international participation in the industry.

Conclusion

Bahrain is recognized for its date palm fields and its role as a prominent participant in the oil-producing region, with an area somewhat larger than Singapore. Bahrain Island is vitally important due to its placement in major shipping channels and near to huge oil deposits. Bahrain has managed to retain certain desert flora and cultivated regions despite its scant natural vegetation and wildlife.

Summers in the country are hot and humid, with milder winters and little rain. Although population and industrialization have increased dependency on desalinization facilities, water supplies have contributed to fertile areas and economic value. Bahrain's economy has grown beyond oil, with expansion in the financial, commercial, and tourism sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bahrain located?

Bahrain is a small Arab nation situated in the Persian Gulf, on the western shore.

How is Bahrain's climate?

Bahrain experiences hot and humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90 °F (32 °C).

What kind of flora and fauna in Bahrain?

The arid regions of Bahrain host around 200 desert plant species of fruit, trees and vegetables. Limited wildlife includes mongoose, gazelles, hares, lizards, and jerboas.

What is the significance of Bahrain's oil industry?

While Bahrain's oil production is relatively modest, its strategic location has made refining imported crude oil important. The nation also has some offshore natural gas resources.

How has Bahrain's economy diversified?

Beyond oil, Bahrain's economy has expanded into financial, commercial services, and tourism sectors, contributing to its economic growth and development.