Bahrain is a small archipelago kingdom in the Persian Gulf, connected to Saudi Arabia by a 25 km causeway, and one of the most liberal of the Gulf states with a strong banking and pearl-diving heritage.
Geography & landscape
Bahrain sits in Western Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 765 km², it is a compact territory, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the sub-tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Manama, lies near coordinates 26°, 50.55°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Western Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Bahrain.
People & society
The population of Bahrain is around 1.5M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Arabic, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Bahrain is structured as a constitutional monarchy. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Manama, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Bahrain is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Manama and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Bahrain shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Bahrain through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Manama, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +973, and clocks are set to the AST (UTC+3) time zone. ISO standards identify Bahrain as BH (alpha-2) and BHR (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇧🇭, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Manama | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | Western Asia | — |
| Population | 1.5M | people |
| Area | 765 | km² |
| Currency | Bahraini Dinar (BHD) | — |
| Calling code | +973 | international dialling |
| Time zone | AST (UTC+3) | standard time |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | BH | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | BHR | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 26 | degrees |
| Longitude | 50.55 | degrees |
Did you know?
The 25 km King Fahd Causeway between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia was the world's longest sea bridge when it opened in 1986.
