Bahrain: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Bahrain

Bahrain is a small island country in the Persian Gulf, off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. Its low, sandy islands are mostly desert. It was once home to the ancient Dilmun civilization and was famous for its pearls.

About Manama

Manama sits on the northeast tip of Bahrain Island in the Persian Gulf. Long a trading port known for pearling and boatbuilding, it is now a busy centre for banking and business.

Fun facts about Bahrain

1. Bahrain's Arabic name means 'the two seas', though people still debate which two seas it refers to.
2. Bahrain is made up of 33 natural islands, plus about 50 artificial islands built more recently.
3. The King Fahd Causeway, about 25 km of bridges and causeways, has linked Bahrain to Saudi Arabia since 1986.
4. Bahrain's pearling heritage, including three offshore oyster beds, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. The Tree of Life, over 400 years old, grows alone in the desert, and no one is sure how it finds water.
6. In 2004, Bahrain hosted the first Formula One Grand Prix ever held in the Middle East.