Bahrain is one of the small countries in the Middle Eastern region of Asia. It may be considered small in size due to its territorial limits but it does boast of something else when you look at it deep enough. It boasts of a rich and verdant culture and a land teeming with opportunity for people who are indifferent to hardships.
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In case you want to know more information, we’ve compiled a list of tips and things to know about this country.
Tips and Things to Know about Bahrain
Here are some of the more important facts and trivia about the land known as Bahrain:
- Bahrain is an archipelago as it consists of 33 islands in its territory.
- The country only has 277 square miles in total which is quite small for country standards but the territory is pretty resource-rich.
- The country is quite densely populated since it is a rather small country and its population is continuing to expand due to the usual factors.
- The country is quite arid desert and enjoys mild winters and severely hot summers – the temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees during the daytime!
- Most of the citizens in the territory are, believe it or not, afraid of dogs – whether they are rabid or not. They are canine-phobic!
- Water is pretty expensive in this country, so be prepared for some culture shock. Oil is relatively cheaper than water but don’t even think of drinking crude – you are not a machine after all.
- The workweek in Bahrain starts on a Sunday and ends on a Thursday. Being an Arab nation, most of the establishments observe a different weekend schedule as well.
- Hookahs are pretty much allowed – smoking them is not illegal in Bahrain. Even restaurants have sections where you can smoke them.
- Local laws do not allow for citizens and even local authorities to carry guns in their persons.
- The Tree of Life, a 400-year old tree, continues to grow in the desert even without any sign of vegetation or local water source – quite impressive and amazing at the same time!
- The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first building in the world which has incorporated wind turbines in its design and architecture. Truly one of a kind, if you think about it.
- There are fresh water wells in the country but another interesting fact is that there are places where fresh water bubbles in the center of salt water!
- Arabic is the official language in the country but do not be surprised with the amount of English, Urdu, Farsi and a smattering of other Asian languages spoken in the country. Bahrain is a good destination for immigrants as well, making it another melting pot of cultures and people.
- Women have earned the right to drive and are practicing their skills on the many roads and highways that crisscross the country.
- While women do drive, the requisite car seats for children are not a requirement so it is quite normal to see children sitting on their mother’s laps while driving.
- 120 kilometers per hour is the country’s speed limit. Exceed this speed and your car would be emitting a beeping noise to warn you of your excess baggage.
- It only costs about USD 12 to fill up your gas tank – but you have to be able to convert your currency to Bahraini dinars and fils in order to do so.
- Those who are accustomed to filling up their own gas tanks would also be pleasantly surprised that they wouldn’t be allowed to touch the gas pumps.
- Be wary of drinking tap water in the country – you might get poisoned due to the elevated levels of metal content. Always be sure to drink purified water.
- Believe it or not, the normal words pig, pork and bacon are among the most bleeped out words in television broadcasts.
These are just some of the interesting facts about Bahrain. There are certainly more that can be had and discovered once you set foot in the country. It is up to you to get as many tidbits as you can.