- published: 26 Feb 2010
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Bahrain ( pronunciation) (Arabic: البحرين, al-Baḥrayn) (Persian: بحرين, Baḥrain), officially the Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: مملكة البحرين, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn), is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,234,571, including 666,172 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands, the largest being Bahrain Island, at 55 km (34 mi) long by 18 km (11 mi) wide. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain by the King Fahd Causeway. The peninsula of Qatar is to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain. The planned Qatar Bahrain Causeway will link Bahrain and Qatar and become the world's longest marine causeway.
Known for its oil and pearls, Bahrain is also home to many large structures, including the Bahrain World Trade Center and the Bahrain Financial Harbour, with a proposal in place to build the 1,022 m (3,353 ft) high Murjan Tower. The Qal'at al-Bahrain (the harbour and capital of the ancient land of Dilmun) was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit.
The Central Business District (CBD) of Manama, Bahrain, is the most vital part of the capital. Many of the city's hotels, office buildings, shops and restaurants are located in the CBD. It lies along the northern coast of Manama.
The CBD is considered one of the best shopping areas in the city; it has the Manama Souq (market, in Arabic), located near the Bab Al Bahrain (the Gateway of Bahrain). The old souq with its old world charm has a wide variety of goods, anything from spices, condiments, textiles, electronics to a dazzling array of jewelry.
In addition, the Bahrain World Trade Centre and the Bahrain Financial Harbour; this has Bahrain's tallest towers, and many of the country's largest banks and companies are also situated in the CBD.
Moda Mall is a high-end shopping complex in the ground floor of Bahrain World Trade Centre.. The Mall is home to some 160 designer stores, including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gucci, Hermés, Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Emporio Armani, Furla, Roberto Cavalli, Vertu, Ermenegildo Zenga, Agent Provocateur, Versace, Bottega Veneta, Escada, Max Mara, Loewe, Mathew Williamson, Valentino, Viktor & Rolf, amongst others. The mall will also house some of the finest jewellery stores such as De Beers, Tiffany & Co., Boucheron, Chopard, Chanel Jewellery, Van Cleef & Arpels and Folli Follie among others.
Manama (Arabic: المنامة Al Manāma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people. Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population. After periods of Portuguese and Persian control and invasions from the Al Sauds and Oman, Bahrain established itself as an independent nation during the 19th century period of British hegemony. In the 20th century, Bahrain's oil wealth helped spur fast growth and in the 1990s a concerted diversification effort led to expansion in other industries and helped transform Manama into an important financial hub in the Middle East.
Manama was mentioned in Islamic chronicles at least as far back as 1345. It was conquered by Portugal in 1521 and then by the Persians in 1602. Since 1783 it has been under the control of the Al-Khalifa dynasty. Manama was declared a free port in 1958, and in 1971 it became the capital of independent Bahrain.