alBahrayn

alBahrayn, commonly anglicized as Bahrain, is a small island nation in the Persian Gulf. It consists of Bahrain Island and a number of smaller islands, collectively forming an archipelago off the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The capital and largest city is Manama. The country has a hot desert climate, with very mild winters and extremely hot summers.

Historically, the region was part of the ancient Dilmun civilization and later influenced by various empires, including the Persians and, briefly, the Portuguese. The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since 1783. In the 19th and early 20th centuries it came under British protection, gaining full independence on December 16, 1971, and subsequently co-founded the Gulf Cooperation Council in 1981.

Government in alBahrayn is a constitutional monarchy. The King, currently Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, serves as head of state, and the Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, heads government affairs. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of an elected Council of Representatives and an appointed Shura Council. The legal system blends civil law with Islamic law influences.

The economy is diversified, with finance, manufacturing, and construction playing major roles alongside growing tourism and services. The Bahraini dinar (BHD) is the official currency. Bahrain has a high-income economy with a large expatriate workforce; English is widely used in business and daily life.

Population figures include a sizable expatriate community, with Arabic as the official language and Islam as the predominant religion. Notable sites include the Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain), a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting the island nation’s long maritime and trading history.