Balance of Payments

Bahrain’s current account balance is characterized by surpluses in merchandise trade and international services, and a large deficit in unilateral transfers, which is accounted for by the country’s large expatriate workforce sending home a portion of its earnings. In 2003 and 2004, the balance of payments performance improved due to rising oil prices and increased receipts from the services sector. As a result, the current account balance registered a surplus of US$219 million in 2003 and a surplus of US$442 million in 2004, compared with a deficit of US$35 million in 2002. Bahrain’s gross international reserves increased substantially in 2004 to US$1.6 billion, compared with US$1.4 billion in the previous three years (2001-2003).

The Capital Governorate

The Capital Governorate (Arabic: محافظة العاصمة‎; transliterated: Muhafazat al-’Asimah) is one of the five governorates of Bahrain. It includes parts of the municipalities of Al Manamah and Jidd Haffs.

Agriculture

Agricultural production in the 20% to meet the needs of home affairs. In the oases and areas irrigated with water desalinated sea daktylowej cultivation of palm trees, citrus, vegetables and rice and wheat. The catch fish, prawns, pearls, is playing an increasingly smaller role because of the increasing pollution of the Persian Gulf waters.

Geography

Bahrain is composed of three major and 30 smaller islands in the Persian Gulf along the 25 km from the coast of Saudi Arabia and about 30 km from the peninsula of Qatar away. The islands are flat, the highest peak is the Djebel Dukhan (134 meters). The majority of Bahraini oil wells located here. The main island has the advantage of sufficient fresh water available. In the north lie vast Dattelhaine and irrigated fruit and vegetable gardens. The 25 km-long King Fahad Dam linking Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

Climate

Bahrain is Island located in west to the mainland of Saudi Arabia. Jebel Al Dukhan is the highest point in Bahrain with hills 440 feet (134 meters) above sea level in the center of the Island. Zagros hills in Iraq cause the low level winds to be directed to Island and creates the pressure pattern. The dust bowls from Iraq and Saudi Arabia makes fine dust particles easily transported by north westerly winds which cause visibility reductions at Bahrain, in the months of June and July.

The Summer is very hot, because of Gulf waters provides low level moisture supply. Seas around Bahrain very shallow and heat up quickly in the Summer it produces Humidity specially in the summer nights. In those period temperature of summer may reach 35 C. Rainfall in Bahrain is minimum and irregular also, most of the rain falls in winter season. Recorded maximum of (70.8mm)

Manama

Manama is the capital city of Bahrain and is the country’s largest city with a population of approximately 155,000, roughly a quarter of the country’s entire population.

Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy. (See Economy of Bahrain.) Because of its thriving economy, a Danish firm has proposed a skyscraper that would be over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and be called the Murjan Tower to be built. Currently only a concept, if built it would be the world’s tallest structure.

When to Go

Tourist brochures warn visitors away from the intensely hot summer months (early June to mid-September), when the sea is flat and vaporous, the cold tap runs hot and even the grass is too peppery to walk on. Yet, in many ways, this is Bahrain’s most characterful time of the year: it’s when you realise the importance of a wind tower, or a well in the desert, or a headscarf to keep out the hot, dry winds of a dust storm. If braving the extreme heat and humidity doesn’t appeal, the best time to visit is November to March, avoiding Ramadan and Eid holidays, when an influx of Saudi tourists can make it hard to find a room.

Manama

Manama (Arabic: المنامة Al-Manāmah) is the capital city of Bahrain and is the country’s largest city with a population of approximately 155,000, roughly a quarter of the country’s entire population.

Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy. (See Economy of Bahrain.) Because of its thriving economy, a Danish firm has proposed a skyscraper that would be over 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and be called the Murjan Tower to be built. Currently only a concept, if built it would be the world’s tallest structure.

Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: مملكة البحرين ‎, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn), is a borderless island country in the Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway (officially opened on November 25, 1986), and Qatar is to the south across the Gulf of Bahrain. The Qatar–Bahrain Friendship Bridge being planned will link Bahrain to Qatar as the longest fixed link in the world