About Bahrain
The state of Bahrain is an arˇchiˇpelˇaˇgo [
rk
péll g
]a group or chain of islands (often used in place names) of more
than 33 islands covering 707 square km situated mid-way down the Arabian
Gulf off the east cost of Saudi Arabia at latitude 26° North almost
parallel to Miami.
Bahrain, which means "two-seas", is the largest island, about 48 km long by 16 km wide and covering 586 square km. It refers to the natural springs of water rising from beneath the sea which are used by the country's famous pearl divers. It is linked by causeways to Muharraq, the second largest island, where the international airport is located; Sitra, the industrial center, and Saudi Arabia. Other islands of significant size include Nabih Saleh, and Umm Al Nassan. Much of Bahrain is low-lying and barren as the surface is limestone rock covered with saline sand which supports only the hardiest desert vegetation. There is a wide fertile strip along the northern coast. At the center of the main island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan (mountain of smoke), which is 137 meters above sea level. The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are in this area. The coastline has changed considerably over the last 20 years as reclamation projects have created new land for development. In 1986 the King Fahad Causeway was opened. Kilometer (1,000 meters or (0.621 miles) 1.6 Km is one mile.
Scientists believe Bahrain has only been an island for about 6000 years, before which it was part of the Arabian peninsula. The Bahrain -Saudi King Fahad Causeway , a four lane highway. which was opened in 1986 once again links Bahrain to the mainland. This has resulted in an increased inflow of visitors from GCC countries. The country' has a varied topography ranging from reply deserts to lush green vegetation, sandy beaches, traditional architecture and parks spread over all the islands in the group, most of which are accessible to off-shore cruises.
Recent archaeological discoveries have proved Bahrain to be the site of the lost civilization of Dilmun, repeatedly mentioned in Sumerian, Babylonian and Assyrian inscriptions as an important port in the sea trade between Mesopotamia and India. Some scholars consider that Bahrain may have been the Garden of Eden, a view still being debated by theologians, historians and archaeologists. The lush vegetation in the north-west
Below
are different maps of Bahrain. The second one is very large and
shows the surrounding areas.
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