Bahrain, a historically-rich nation in Western Asia, captivates tourists from all over the globe with its ancient forts, antique souks, spectacular mosques and long coastline. Nestled in the Arabian Gulf, it is one of the oldest countries in the Middle East. Bahrain was a major centre of Dilmuns during the Bronze Age.
Today, the Kingdom of Bahrain is a flourishing travel destination with a unique landscape, rich culture and delectable cuisine. Here are 7 interesting facts about Bahrain that can fascinate you:
1. It Is The Smallest Nation In Size In The Middle East
With an area of just 760 square kilometres, Bahrain is the smallest nation in the Middle East. Also, after the Maldives and Singapore, it is the third smallest Asian country.
2. It Doesn’t Have Land Borders With Any Country
Bahrain is snuggled between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and has a breathtaking 161-kilometre coastline. It’s interesting to note that the island nation has no land border with any country except a bridge linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The Middle Eastern archipelago is home to 33 man-made and 50 natural islands.
3. It Has One Of The World’s Largest Mosques With A Library
Named after Ahmed Al Fateh, the Al Fateh Grand Mosque in Bahrain is one of the largest mosques in the entire globe and the most extensive place of worship in Bahrain. Late Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa had constructed the mosque in 1987 in Manama, the capital city of Bahrain. It was designated as a property of the National Library of Bahrain in 2006.
The mosque has a magnificent chandelier, Italian marble flooring, and a huge fibreglass dome. The interior of the mosque has Kufic calligraphy all throughout. One of the largest domes in the world, the fibreglass dome at Al Fateh Grand Mosque weighs more than 60 tonnes. The regal chandelier that was bought from Austria exudes pure elegance. The teakwood doors of the mosque were curated from India. The Islamic library of the mosque has around 7000 books.
4. It Is Home To The ‘Tree Of Life’
Bahrain is home to a mysterious tree that survives without water. Known as Shajarat-al-Hayat or the ‘Tree of Life’, It has been standing in the heart of a desert for more than four centuries. Lying nearly 2 kilometres away from Jebel Dukhan, it is a Prosopis cineraria tree and has green foliage too. The enigmatic tree was cited in the 1991 film L.A.Story.
5. Bahrain Is Home To Marvellous Cities With Historic Forts, Vibrant Souks And Much More
There is a lot to explore in Bahrain’s capital city Manama, from shopping at Manama Souk and taking a boat ride on Bahrain Bay to visiting Al Fateh Grand Mosque. Besides Manama, other stunning cities in Bahrain include Muharraq, Riffa, A’ali, Sitra, Isa Town and Hamad Town.
6. Bahrain Houses The Dilmun Burial Mounds UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nestled in the western part of Bahrain, the Dilmun Burial Mounds UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises nearly 21 sites dating back to almost 2000 BCE. There are a total of approximately 11,774 mounds.
Bahrain combines old-world elegance with contemporary charm and must be on your bucket list!