Bahrain and its 66 important Details for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams

Bahrain and its Details Like , Capital, GDP, Currency, Geography, Economy, Defence, Culture, Natural resources, Habitat, Sports and all you want to know for UPSC, PSC and Other Competitive Exams.

Bahrain and its Basic Details :

Attribute	Information
Name of the country	Bahrain
Capital	Manama
Independence day	December 16, 1971
Major religions	Islam (Shia and Sunni)
Currency	Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
Continent	Asia
Top 5 Famous cities	Manama, Riffa, Muharraq, Hamad Town, Isa Town
Top 10 Famous persons	Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Ali Salman, Hassan al-Amin, Abdulredha, Nada Haffadh, Ayat Al-Qurmezi, Abdulkarim Al Naimi
Type of government	Constitutional monarchy
Main wars fought	Bahrain did not participate in major wars
GDP	$40.9 billion (2021)
5 popular tourist places	1. Bahrain National Museum, 2. Al-Fatih Mosque, 3. Manama Souq, 4. Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain), 5. Al Dar Islands

Geography of Bahrain :

Category	Information
Geography	An archipelago of 33 islands in the Persian Gulf.
Area (sq km)	760
Population	1.7 million (2023 est.)
Main Mountain Ranges	This Country has no significant mountain ranges.
Main Mountain Peaks	Jabal ad Dukhan is the highest point , at 134 meters (440 feet) above sea level.
Main Rivers	This Country has no permanent rivers. However, there are several wadis, or dry riverbeds, that fill up with water during the rainy season.
Main Lakes	This Country has several artificial lakes, including Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary and Al Bahrain Oasis.
Deserts	This Country is home to the Bahrain Desert, which covers about 70% of the country.
Plateau	The North-South Plateau is a prominent geographical feature of this Country. It runs from north to south and is characterized by its rolling hills and dry plains.
Volcanoes	This Country has no active volcanoes.
Main Crops/Vegetation	Date palms are the most important crop in this Country. Other crops include alfalfa, mangoes, bananas, and citrus fruits.
Main Beaches	Al Jasra Beach, Al Jaffar Beach, Al Jazayer Beach, Al Buhair Beach, and Al Wasmiya Beach are some of this Country’s beautiful beaches.
Neighbouring Countries	Saudi Arabia is the only country that shares a land border with Bahrain.
Nearby Seas/Oceans	Bahrain is located on the Persian Gulf.
Coastline Length	767 kilometers (477 miles)
Top 5 Natural Resources	Petroleum, natural gas, pearls, limestone, and gypsum are top five natural resources.

Economy of Bahrain :

Category	Information
Major Industries	Financial services, oil refining, tourism, aluminum smelting, construction
Revenue Sources	Oil, financial services, tourism, aluminum exports, foreign investment
Top 10 Companies	Aluminum Bahrain (Alba), Gulf Air, Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco), Batelco, Investcorp, Ahli United Bank, Arab Banking Corporation (ABC), National Bank of Bahrain (NBB), Bahrain Islamic Bank, Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco)
Per Capita Income	Approximately $28,000
Top 5 Imports	Machinery, vehicles, foodstuffs, chemicals, manufactured goods
Top 5 Exports	Petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles, agro-based products, chemicals
Total Gold Reserves	Approximately 4.7 tons

Defence Power of Bahrain :

Category	Information
Defense Budget	Approximately $1.4 billion (2023)
Total Army Personnel	Approximately 20,000 active, 110,000 reserve (2023)
Total Air Force Personnel	Approximately 1,500 (2023)
Total Navy Personnel	Approximately 3,000 (2023)
Total Defence Imports	$3.64 billion (2022)
Total Defence Exports	$1.04 billion (2022)

Cultural of Bahrain :

Category	Information
Main Festivals	Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Bahrain National Day, Spring of Culture Festival, Bahrain International Music Festival
Main Religious Places	Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Bahrain Fort, Tree of Life, Al-Khamis Mosque, Barbar Temple
Main Arts and Dances	Traditional pearl diving songs, Arada dance, Fjiri music
Main Languages	Arabic (official), English
Famous Food and Cuisines	Machboos, Qouzi, Bahraini breakfast, Halwa Showaiter, Mahyawa
UNESCO Protected Buildings	Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort), Barbar Temple, Dilmun Burial Mounds, Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy (includes multiple sites), Bu Maher Fort

Sports in Bahrain :

Category	Information
National Game	Football
Main Sports	Football, Athletics, Basketball, Motorsport, Swimming
Top Athletes	Ruth Jebet (Athletics), Kemi Adekoya (Athletics), Yusuf Saad Kamel (Athletics), Rashid Ramzi (Athletics), Hakeem Seriki (Basketball)
Top Sports Achievements	Ruth Jebet – Olympic gold medalist (Athletics), Kemi Adekoya – Asian Games gold medalist (Athletics), Rashid Ramzi – Olympic gold medalist (Athletics), Bahrain national football team – Gulf Cup winners, Bahrain national football team – AFC Asian Cup third place

Natural Habitat and wild life of Bahrain :

Category	Information
National Animal	Arabian Oryx
National Bird	White-cheeked Bulbuls
Main Forests	This Country does not have natural forests
Main Recognized Natural Habitats	Hawar Islands Nature Reserve, Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary, Tubli Bay Wetland, Qal’at al-Bahrain Marine and Coastal Protected Area, Bu Maher Fort Reserve

Biggest in the Bahrain :

Category	Information
Biggest Island	Bahrain Island
Richest Man	Nasser Al Shakar
Biggest Company	Aluminium Bahrain (Alba)
Tallest Building	Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
Tallest Statue	Tree of Life Sculpture
Biggest Bridge	King Fahd Causeway
Tallest Mountain	Jabal ad Dukhan
Longest River	N/A (This Country has no permanent rivers)
Biggest Forest	Al Areen Oasis
Biggest Lake	Al Areen Wildlife Sanctuary

Brief History Of Bahrain :

Bahrain’s history is rich and diverse, spanning through different eras that have shaped its identity. Here’s an overview:

Ancient Bahrain:

• Prehistoric Roots: Bahrain’s history dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Dilmun civilization around 3000 BCE. It was known as Dilmun, a prosperous trading center connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Pearling and Trade: Known for its pearling industry, Bahrain was a significant center for trade and commerce in the ancient world. It maintained trade connections with Sumer, Assyria, and later with the Phoenicians.

Medieval Period:

• Islamic Conquest: Bahrain came under Islamic rule in the 7th century when the Umayyad Caliphate annexed it. It became part of various Islamic dynasties, including the Abbasids, who established it as an administrative unit.
• Portuguese and Persian Control: In the 16th century, Bahrain was invaded by the Portuguese but was later taken by the Safavids of Persia, marking a period of Persian dominance.

Modern Era:

• Al Khalifa Rule: Bahrain fell under the control of the Al Khalifa family in the late 18th century, establishing their rule over the archipelago. Bahrain signed a series of treaties with Britain in the 19th century, becoming a British protectorate.
• Pearling and Oil Discovery: Pearling was a primary economic activity until the early 20th century when oil was discovered in Bahrain in the 1930s, transforming its economy.

Recent History:

• Independence: Bahrain gained independence from Britain in 1971 and declared itself a kingdom. It faced internal political tensions, including demands for democratic reforms and struggles between the ruling monarchy and opposition groups.
• Modernization and Unrest: Bahrain experienced periods of socio-political unrest, particularly during the Arab Spring in 2011 when protests erupted demanding political reforms and greater rights for the Shia majority. The government responded with measures to address some grievances but faced ongoing challenges in achieving lasting stability.
• Current Scenario: Bahrain continues to modernize its economy, focusing on sectors beyond oil, such as finance, tourism, and services. It remains a constitutional monarchy, and efforts for political reconciliation and social development persist.

Throughout its history, Bahrain’s strategic location in the Persian Gulf has influenced its role as a trading hub and shaped its cultural diversity, while its political landscape has seen a dynamic interplay of internal and external influences.

For NCERT MCQs Click this Link	For International Current Affairs Click this Link
For Class Wise NCERT Notes and Videos Click this link	For Daily Educational News Click this Link