Also known as bh, Kingdom of Bahrain, BAH, Bahrein Islands, ISO 3166-1:BH, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn, Dawlat al-Bahrain
西亞島國
Bahrain is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, comprising 33 natural islands and 50 artificial islands with a population of about 1.6 million people. It is strategically located in the western Persian Gulf and is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway, making it geographically and politically significant in the Middle East region.
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Bahrain is the smallest of the independent Persian Gulf states, and has often had to walk a diplomatic tightrope in relation to its larger neighbours. The country has few oil reserves, but it has established itself as a hub for refining and for international banking, while also achieving a socially liberal monarchy. A string of political unrest culminating in the demonstrations in 2011 and the subsequent brutal government crackdown exposed significant discomfort as well as sectarian and social cleavages. Although the population is predominantly Shi'a Muslim, the royal family is Sunni Muslim.
Despite being much closer to Qatar, the Hawar Islands are part of Bahrain after a long, drawn-out sovereignty dispute between the two nations, with the International Court of Justice affirming sovereignty to Bahrain in 2002.
It displays relative social liberalism compared with more conservative neighbouring countries, where Islamic law is applied in a much stricter way. For example, alcohol is legal here. Although Bahrain has a heavily petroleum-based economy, its political, social, and cultural peculiarities helped it develop a fairly cosmopolitan middle class and a politically conscious working class.
Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic.
Despite being an island, don't expect to find any good beaches (unless they are private and part of a resort hotel). Where there are beaches, they are usually construction sites or used as a dump for construction waste.
thumb|300px|Closeup of the restored Bahrain Fort thumb|The Tree of Life thumb|Burial mounds near A'ali
center|thumb|600x600px|It does get hotter than this!
Bahrain has a history dating back 5000 years, from the ancient Dilmun period through the Islamic era. The country offers three forts which have been meticulously restored and opened to the public, although a lack of signs and general promotion by the country's tourist industry sometimes makes finding these sites difficult.
The high temperatures in Bahrain make sea activities seem extra tempting and water sports are extremely popular in Bahrain, with tourists and locals indulging in their sport of choice all year round in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf. Sailing and scuba diving are particularly popular.
巴林王国(阿拉伯语:مملكة البحرين),通稱巴林(阿拉伯语:البحرين),是一個位於西亞、鄰近波斯灣西岸的島國,首都麥納瑪。巴林島為巴林最大的島嶼,南北長55公里,東西則為18公里寬,總面積約758平方公里。沙烏地阿拉伯位於巴林西部,並可經由法赫德国王大桥連接;伊朗則位在巴林北方200公里處;卡達半島位於巴林灣東南側。氣候屬熱帶沙漠氣候。2010年,巴林總人口為1,234,571人,其中包括666,172名外籍人口。巴林為迪爾門文明發跡之處。 西元628年,巴林成為伊斯蘭教地區。經過一段時間的阿拉伯人統治後,葡萄牙於1521年占領巴林,又於1602年被薩非王朝的阿拔斯大帝驅逐。1783年,從卡扎尔王朝奪取巴林,並由阿勒哈利法家族建立王朝並統治至今,艾哈邁德·阿爾法塔為巴林第一位哈基姆(統治者)。19世紀後期, 巴林與英國制訂合約,成為英國的殖民地,受英国保护。1971年,英国人撤出,英国在当地的九个殖民地酋长国中,巴林和卡塔尔独立建国成为酋長(埃米尔)國;余下七个酋长国成立了阿拉伯联合酋长国。巴林於2002年宣布改為王國。巴林為首個步入後石油經濟的波斯灣國家。但目前巴林經濟並非單純依賴石油;自20世紀後期,巴林已投入巨資發展金融和旅遊事業。該國首都麥納瑪,是國內外大型金融機構所在地。巴林具有較高的人類發展指數(世界排名第44位),亦被世界銀行認定為高收入經濟體。2001年,巴林成為主要非北约盟友的成員,美國海軍的第五舰队司令部就驻扎在麥納麥,随时监视着波斯灣以及印度洋的动靜。
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Although a desert country, Bahrain boasts an international 18-hole grass golf course, which is about 15 minutes outside the capital, Manama. The par 72 championship course features five lakes and is landscaped with hundreds of date palms and desert plains.
City Centre Bahrain is the most popular mall in Bahrain, which includes a cinema, a water-park, and a lot of western brands, but there are many others scattered across the country of varying sizes.
Enjoy riding a camel along a highway.
Purchase souvenirs and buy some authentic pottery at A'ali Village Pottery.
Haggle for goods at the local souk markets.
Bahrain, despite being largely Muslim, has luxurious hotels that are known for observing Christmas, because of a number of emigrant Christian expats. The festive event also sees malls display wreaths decorated …
thumb|Machboos
Bahrain has an impressive dining scene, with numerous restaurants to choose from. The main dining area is Adliya, where you can take your pick among numerous cafes, trendy lounges and restaurants. There are also traditional Arabic restaurants around the country.
Restaurants in Bahrain run the gamut from cheap stalls offering local food to fancy restaurants in fancy hotels. American fast food franchises are ubiquitous. Western (mostly American) style-foods and franchises can be found around the malls and in the city centre, offering food for upper mid-range prices.
There is even a popular alley in Juffair called 'Americans' Alley', due to the huge variety of American-based restaurants in that area.
In Ramadan, restaurants are closed during daylight – while they may appear to be open after lunchtime, that's actually them preparing for the meal that breaks the fast, so you will not be able to order anything until Iftar.
Traditional Bahraini food is very hard to find in restaurants, and is typically confined to the homes of locals. If you have Bahraini friends, being invited home for a meal is the best chance you have to sample the local cuisine.
Signature dishes Machboos (also known as kabsa) – mainly made from a mixture of spices, rice (usually long-grain basmati), meat and vegetables Muhammar – a sweet rice dish which is typically served with fish
Snacks and bread Samosa – a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, pe…
thumb|Shops in Manama
During 2011, a state of near civil war broke out in Bahrain, with many deaths, hundreds of injuries, and a large number of activists and health professionals arrested and tortured. Though the crisis has mostly died down since then, problems occasionally occur, and visitors should be cautious when visiting sensitive areas (black billowing smoke from burning tyres is a telltale sign that something is wrong there).
Pregnant women without a marriage certificate should consider their legal situation; pregnancy outside marriage can lead to a conviction. Also consult the hospital at your destination to ensure access to emergency care.
Islamic Sharia law applies in certain cases, including alcohol abuse, adultery (extramarital affairs) and homosexuality. The "wearing of gender-unconforming clothing" is also prohibited. However, compared to neighboring Saudi Arabia, the laws are much more permissive, and therefore some Western expatriates who work in Saudi Arabia prefer to live in Bahrain.
Drug use is punishable up to life and penalties for possession of even small quantities of drugs are severe.
While freedom of expression is often better than its neighbouring countries, that does not mean that you can make unnecessary comments - defamation of the king is a punishable offence and the local newspapers are generally pro-government. Bahrain is religiously tolerant by the standards of the Gulf, and is the only Gulf country with native Christian and Jewish commu…
Drink plenty of water. April through August can be very hot (up to 50°C) and humid, and can occasionally feel like a lot hotter. Use an umbrella to protect you from the harsh sun. It is important to stay hydrated, especially if you are outdoors during the day. Bottled water is sold practically everywhere in the city from "cold stores" to major supermarket chains at reasonable prices. In the souk, walking vendors offer small chilled bottles but you may end up paying more than the bottle is really worth. If you are living in Bahrain for an extended period of time, you can set up an arrangement for a neighbourhood cold store to deliver bottled water to your flat, or sign up for water delivery through several companies on the island. Many cold stores (and some hotels) also deliver your goods (or food) free to your hotel or flat, though you may wish to tip the delivery person, who often has to ride in the hot sun for a low salary.
Though tap water is reported to be potable, bottled or boiled water is recommended for drinking.
In an emergency, call . There are many public health centres (that charge BD 7 per visit for expatriates); the Salmaniya Medical Complex is the largest government hospital and is free to all residents and citizens.
Bahrain is a fairly gracious host nation but it is imperative to demonstrate respect and courtesy in reference to their particular cultural practices and religion at all times. Bahrain is an Islamic country where you should behave conservatively. For example, appearing in public places under the influence of alcohol, wearing overly revealing outfits and public displays of affection should be avoided. While the Bahraini government has made peace with Israel, Bahrainis are staunchly pro-Palestine, so posting otherwise on social media can lead to heavy criticism and you may find yourself without a job, or even arrested.
When out in places where local Arabs can be found it is advisable to wear long trousers, rather than shorts (it is not possible to visit some government offices and museums if you're wearing shorts), and women shouldn't wear a see-through dress. However, in beach clubs and hotels, swimsuits, bikinis and shorts are okay to wear. Do not show signs of affection to members of the opposite sex in public. Couples have been arrested for kissing in public and it is just not socially accepted. Always avoid any confrontation and never become involved in an argument, especially with a local.
As an Islamic country, Bahrain has a negative attitude towards children born out of wedlock.
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