Manama, Bahrain

According to abbreviationfinder, Manama is the capital of Bahrain, it is the largest city in the country, with an estimated population of 156,872 residents for 2009, it is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, in the northeast of the island. Manama was declared a free port in 1958 and, in 1971, it became the capital of independent Bahrain. In Manama is the headquarters of the University of Bahrain, founded in 1986. Manama is served by the Bahrain International Airport on the island of Al Muharraq. The economic base of this capital, like that of the rest of the country, is the oil industry, also highlighting fishing and obtaining pearls. See population of Bahrain.

History

From the beginning Manama was key in the commercial development of the island. Manama and its residents first discovered Islam during the 7th century and in the 9th century they began to lean towards it but with a conservative, almost socialist position, which caused considerable friction with the Muslim land environment.

Manama was first mentioned by chroniclers of Islam around the year 1345. The city was conquered by Portugal in 1521 crushing small local forces and later by the Persians in 1602. During colonial times, Fort Bahrain was built. Since 1783 it has been under the control of the Al-Khalifah dynasty, which is the one that governs Bahrain.

Before the Second World War more specifically in 1931 oil was discovered on the island about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Manama so it began to flourish rapidly. After World War II, Bahrain slowly moved towards independence and finally in 1971 the British withdrew leaving Manama in charge of its own affairs. This was the beginning of a period in which the city has grown and flourished, mainly thanks to considerable wealth accumulated through oil production and transformation.

Manama was declared a free trade zone in 1958, and in 1971 it became the capital of independent Bahrain.

Geography

The city is located in the extreme northeast corner of Bahrain on a small peninsula, due to this fact, the city has a nice promenade. As in the rest of Bahrain, the land is generally flat (or gently mobile) and arid.

Climate

In Manama as in the rest of Bahrain, extreme climatic conditions occur with temperatures ranging from 48 ° C (118 ° F) maximum in summer, to 15 ° C (59 ° F) minimum in winter with hail on some occasions. Average temperatures in winter are 17 ° C (63 ° F) and in summer 45 ° C (113 ° F). The most pleasant season in the capital of Bahrain is autumn, when the sun is low, along with warm temperatures, moderated by the gentle breeze.

Economic development

The tourism in the city is increasing greatly in recent years and now is has become one of the most important economic activities contributing much of the money generated by the economy. The city has a large number of two, three, four and five star hotels: one, four, fifteen and three respectively.

Social development

Culture

Alcohol is legal in the country and bars and clubs operate in the city, in contrast to neighboring Saudi Arabia, which bans alcohol in all circumstances. This for the majority of the population is seen as a sign that the country is strongly Islamic but open-minded and tolerant of other and other cultures. Manama like the rest of Bahrain is not fully Islamic and Arab, the country that attracts a large number of foreigners, at least ⅓ of the population has a large number of different traditions and cultural currents.

Sports

As in the rest of the country, soccer is the most practiced sport and the city has three teams that play in the Bahrain Premier League, which is the highest category of professional soccer in that country. Those three teams are: Al Ahli Club, Al Najma Club and Al Shabab Club.

In addition to football in the city, many other sports are also practiced, most of them in the Al Ahli Stadium, which is a multipurpose stadium with a capacity for approximately 10,000 people.

Transport

Manama has an extensive bus service that is much cheaper than other modes of transportation. A minimum fare of 150-200 fils allows you to travel by bus. There are bus routes to other cities such as Al Muharraq and Isa Town. The Bahrain International Airport is located on the island of A the Muharra about 7 km (4 miles) from the center of Manama. It is one of the main airports in the Middle East. It is strategically located in the northern Persian Gulf between the main markets of Saudi Arabia and Iran., the airport has one of the widest ranges and the highest frequency of regional services in connections with the main international destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa.

At the moment, the city’s road network is under a huge wave of development, due to the fact that the Ministry of Public Works is rushing to improve the road network in Manama, due to the fact that It is the capital and main city of the country as well as where most of the governments, commercial offices and facilities are located along with the entertainment centers. Various plans and projects have been established in order to improve the traffic situation in the city and eliminate most of the roundabouts in the city and replace them with marked traffic crossings. In addition, some of the crossings in the main routes of the city are being replaced in addition to the improvement of interchanges, tunnels, bridges and overpass exits.