Bahrain

Emirates Holiday offering you Middle East Travel Guide, which have complete information collections about all seven Emirates of UAE. Tourist Information about Bahrain is surely the best guiding star if you are to unearth more about this island. Here we also tell you about the various features of this land, from History of Bahrain to Bahrain Geography, from Bahrain Climate to Bahrain Population and from Bahrain

Speaking of the history of this land, even a casual of Bahrain will tell you that Bahrain has had many foreign influences in the likes of Persians, Assyrians, Greeks, Babylonians and the Arabs. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese controlled Bahrain. Many tribal groups and state-run groups attacked Bahrain during those times. Eventually, Bahrain became a British Protectorate. With Britain's 'East of Suez' strategic withdrawal, Bahrain became independent. Sheikh Isa al-Khalifa was the ruler then. And it was under the reign of his son, that constitutional monarchy system came into being.

An Bahrain shows you that lying in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain is the main island. As many as thirty islands including Bahrain fall between Saudi Arabia and the western coast of Qatar. Furthermore, Al Muharraq is the second biggest island. Bahrain covers a total area of 688 square kilometers and has population of about 650,000 as on April 2001. As for the climate, the summers are humid while the winters are cool and mild. Droughts and not to mention dust storms have also occurred in this part of the world.

Bahrain also reveals about the growing economy and politics of this country that contributes to the county's overall development on all fronts. The oil industry is booming in Bahrain. It has helped the country to build on its economy so much so that Bahrain has the fastest growing economy in the Arab world. Petroleum production in Bahrain plays quite a dominant role in the government revenues, GDP and export revenues. As regard the political scenario.

Culture of Bahrain
Bahrain also known officially as the kingdom of Bahrain is the smallest country in the entire Arab nation. Bahrain is a borderless island nation situated in the Persian Gulf. There is a rich heritage of culture that has been continuing to this very day. Arts, craft, attires and several other beautiful aspects form the core of the culture of Bahrain. In spite of the rapid economic development that Bahrain has experienced, this nation remains essentially Arab in the matters of culture. Soccer remains the most favorite sport in the land while falconry, hunting and horse riding are still practiced therefore bringing in a perfect balance between the modern world and a traditional world. Arts and Crafts in Bahrain forms a huge portion of the cultural.

Culture of Bahrain contains everything from traditional arts, music, dresses and cuisine that is sure to mesmerize the visitor. Traditional handicraft industries in Bahrain are some of the best in the Arab nation. The national museum of Bahrain in Manama consists of local artifacts that include such unique and rare items as ivory figurines, copper articles, pottery and rings made of solid gold. Tourism in Bahrain is highly influenced by the cultural aspects and features in Bahrain. There is a small art community in this Arab nation as well. There is the displaying of Bahraini women's traditional dresses at the national museum as well.

In Bahrain, a tourist can find traditional basket weavers creating excellent hand crafted baskets that are quite an important part of culture in Bahrain. The traditional dresses of men consists of a white gown traditionally called a thobe, a ghutra or a white head dress, agal the black ring on the head gear and finally a bisht or a black overcoat. There is however no formal dress code in the land and the foreigners and tourists are seen in modern outfits.

Arts, music and dance form a very important part of the prevailing culture in Bahrain. In fact music and dance in Bahrain is very important a part of the culture of the land. The various genres of art include readings from the holy Quran, story telling and ceremonial dances performed to the beat of flat drums. There is beautiful poetry that is recited by the famous poets of Bahrain. The Bahrain people are widely known to have a very keen artistic sense and that can be best sensed by looking at the fantastic fishing and pearling boats created by the locals. Intricate artistic intelligence can also be seen in the traditional jewelry that is made here. Khaleeji is a type of a typical Persian Gulf-area folk music that is quite popular among the locals. There are other fantastic types of music and dance forms that are sure to captivate the senses of the tourists.

Food and drinks are a very important part of the culture in Bahrain and local delicacies include machboos, muhammar, shawama and samboosa that will surely to satisfy the taste buds of the tourists.

There is an entire wide gamut of festivals, events and rituals that are also very important parts of culture in Bahrain and are directly responsible for have increased the tourism in Bahrain. Major events and festivals include Bahrain's Independence Day and national Day and Eid ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Other important events include Ramadan and Ashoura.

Attractions in Bahrain
Here at Emirates Holiday you will also find the main Attractions of Bahrain. Attraction in Bahrain is a fascinating experience, given the rich culture of Bahrain and the Formula One Grand Prix race. Bahrain is a comparatively liberal as well as modern Arab country.

Any Attractions in Bahrain should include the following venues:

The Bahrain Grand Prix, a Formula One Championship race, was first held at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2004. It was the first Formula One Grand Prix held in the Middle East. The race is the third race of the Formula One racing calendar.

Manama Souq is a busy market with many traditional and modern shops. It is near the Bab Al Bahrain. The goods on sale include kaftans, cloth, thobes, spices, dry fruits, nuts, handicrafts and souvenirs. Any Attractions in Bahrain includes a visit to this market, renowned for its traditional origins. The Gold Souk is also worthy of a visit; for pure, hallmarked 18K / 21K gold ornaments and world famous Bahrain natural pearls.

Arad Fort is a 15th century typical Arab fort in Bahrain. The Fort or the Qalat al Bahrain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an archaeological site and fort. The site was the capital of the ancient Dilmun civilization.

The Bahrain National Museum displays archaeological artifacts and tableau spanning 6000 years of Bahrain's history. Then there is the 1940s British-built Gate of Bahrain or the Bab Al Bahrain. Renovated in 1986, with Islamic architectural features, the structure contains the tourist information office and handicrafts shop.

The Al Fateh Mosque is the largest mosque and Al Khamis Mosque was the first mosque in Bahrain.

The other attractions that could be visited while Attractions in Bahrain are: