Bahrain Island

Bahrain Island

Native name: جزيرة البحرين Nickname: Al-Awal Island
Bahrain Island Location of Bahrain Island in the Gulf of Persia
Geography
Location	Persian Gulf
Coordinates	26.03°N 50.55°E/26.03; 50.55
Archipelago	Bahrain
Adjacent to	Persian Gulf
Total islands	5
Area	604 km2(233 sq mi)
Length	51 km (31.7 mi)
Width	18 km (11.2 mi)
Coastline	130 km (81 mi)
Highest elevation	134 m (440 ft)
Highest point	Mountain of Smoke
Administration
Bahrain
Governorates	Northern Governorate Southern Governorate Capital Governorate
Largest settlement	Manama(pop. 350,000)
Demographics
Demonym	Bahraini
Population	940,000 (2010)
Pop. density	1,556/km2(4030/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Bahraini,non-Bahraini
Additional information
Time zone	AST(UTC+3)
ISO code	BH-14
Official website	www.bahrain

Bahrain Island(Arabic:جزيرة البحرينJazīrah al-Baḥrayn), also known asal-Awal Islandand formerly asBahrein,is the largest island within the archipelago ofBahrain,and forms the bulk of the country's land mass while hosting the majority of its population.

Geography

Most of the island of Bahrain is in a relatively shallow inlet of thePersian Gulfknown as theGulf of Bahrain.The seabed adjacent to Bahrain is rocky and, mainly off the northern part of the island, covered by extensive coral reefs. Most of the island is low-lying and barren desert. Outcroppings of limestone form low rolling hills, stubby cliffs, and shallow ravines. The limestone is covered by various densities of saline sand, capable of supporting only the hardiest desert vegetation such as chiefly thorn trees and scrubs. A 5 km (3.1 mi) wide fertile strip of land exists along the northern coast on whichdate,almond,fig,andpomegranatetrees grow. The interior contains anescarpmentthat rises to 134 m (440 ft), the highest point on the island, to form theMountain of Smoke,named as such due to the mists that often wreathe the summit. Most of the country'soil wellsare situated in the vicinity of the mountain.

Climate

The climatic conditions of the area is arid. The average annual temperature in the area is 28 °C. The warmest month is August, when the average temperature is 38 °C and the coldest is January, with 18 °C. The average annual rainfall is 144 millimeters. The rainiest month is November, with an average of 38 mm of precipitation, and the driest is October, with 1 mm of precipitation.

Demography

Manama,the capital of the kingdom of Bahrain, is located on the northeastern tip of the Island of Bahrain. The main port,Mina Salman,is also located on the island, as are the majoroil refiningfacilities and commercial centers.

Administration

The island is split between 3 of theBahrain's Governorates.

Transportation

Causewaysandbridgesconnect Bahrain to adjacent islands and the mainland ofSaudi Arabia.The oldest causeway, originally constructed in 1929, links Bahrain toAl Muharraq,the third largest island. There are threecausewaysconnecting Muharraq Island withManamaon Bahrain Island:

• Shaikh Hamad Bridge: From Muharraq City toDiplomatic Area
• Shaikh Isa bin Salman Causeway:From Muharraq City/BusaiteentoDiplomatic Area
• Shaikh Khalifa Bridge: FromHiddtoJuffair

At its eastern shore is lyingSitrah,site of the oil export terminal, which is linked to Bahrain by a bridge that spans the narrow channel separating the two islands. At its western shore, a causeway to the island ofUmm an Nasan,continues on to the Saudi mainland town ofAl Khubarthrough theKing Fahd Causeway.Umm an Nasan is the private property of the king and the site of his personal game preserve.

Gallery

• 
  Map 1
• 
  Map Districts
• 
  Muharraq in the foreground;Manamaon Bahrain Island in the background
• 
  Bahrain Island (center) seen from space.

See also

• List of islands of Bahrain

References

• Baynes, T. S., ed. (1878),"Bahrein",Encyclopædia Britannica,vol. 3 (9th ed.), New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, p. 240
• Holdich, Thomas Hungerford(1911),"Bahrein Islands",inChisholm, Hugh(ed.),Encyclopædia Britannica,vol. 3 (11th ed.), Cambridge University Press, p. 212