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Introduction
Bahrain or Bahrain (in Arabic, البحرين, al-Baḥrayn; officially, Kingdom of Bahrain, المملكة العربية السعودية مملكة البحرين, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn) is a kingdom that covers some small islands located on the eastern coasts of the Persian Gulf in middle East. Bahrain, which consists of a main island and a few smaller islands in the surrounding area, is located a few kilometers away from Saudi Arabia Y Qatar and 200 kilometers south of Iran.
Understand
The kingdom of Bahrain (in Arabic: البحرين, al-Baḥrayn ) is a Middle Eastern archipelago in the Persian Gulf, hidden in a pocket of the sea flanked by Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It shows relative social liberalism compared to the more conservative neighboring countries, where Islamic law is applied much more strictly. Case in point: alcohol is legal here. Although Bahrain has a heavily oil-based economy, its political, social and cultural quirks helped it develop a fairly cosmopolitan middle class and politically conscious working class.
Like its neighbors, Bahrain is a state that lives mainly on royalties produced by the Petroleum, reaching an important level of development. The north of Bahrain is a succession of cities that are experiencing an indescribable real estate boom, while the rest of the island remains an arid and desert territory, just like the remote ones. Hawar islands.
Despite the vast majority of Bahrainis being Muslim, the country is far more liberal than its neighbors and more friendly to Westerners, in part because more than a quarter of the population are foreigners. For some tourists, Bahrain is an opportunity to get to know the Arab World without suffering from the conservatism that is still present in much of it.
Bahrain is the smallest of the independent Persian Gulf states and has often had to walk a diplomatic tightrope in relation to its larger neighbors. The country has few oil reserves, but it has established itself as an international banking and refining center, while achieving a socially liberal monarchy. That said, a series of political unrest (culminating in the 2011 demonstrations and subsequent government crackdown) exposed significant unrest, as well as sectarian and social divisions.
Despite being much closer to Qatar, the Hawar Islands are part of Bahrain after a long and protracted sovereignty dispute between the two nations.
Bahrain means "two seas" in Arabic.
Electricity
The standard is 220 V 50 Hz. Most outlets are of the British standard BS 1363 type. Generally speaking, travelers from the US, Canada and continental Europe should pack converters / adapters for these outlets if they plan to use their electrical equipment in Bahrain.
Weather
The best time to visit Bahrain is from November to March, with October and April being just bearable. Make sure to bring a sweater during December-March, as nights can be cool (~ 15 ° C). Bahrain's summer from May to September is very hot and humid, although occasionally cold north winds blow to provide some relief. More frequent are qaws Hot, dry summer winds that can bring sandstorms.
Rain is occasional and occurs only in the winter season.
History
Bahrain has a rich history dating back 5,000 years and was the site of the ancient Dilmun civilization.
As one of the first places to convert to Islam, Bahrain was famous for its pearl industry. After a period of Arab and Persian rule, it was ruled by the Portuguese Empire. The House of Khalifa has ruled Bahrain since 1783.
After successive treaties, Bahrain remained a British protectorate until its independence in 1971. Since then, it has been ruled by a constitutional monarchy.
Regions
Cities
- Manama (المنامة,al-Manāma) - the capital of Bahrain.
- Hamad City (مدينة حمد,Madīnat Ḥamad)
- Isa town (مدينة عيسى,Madīnat ʿĪsā)
- Muharraq (المحرق,Al-Muḥarraq)
- Riffa (الرفاع,Ar-Rifāʿ)
- Sitra (سترة or سِتْرَة,As-Sitra)
Other destinations
- Hawar Islands (جزر حوار,Juzur Ḩawār) - Off the coast of Qatar, these islands are very popular with bird watchers.
- South Governorate (المحافظة الجنوبية, Al-Muḥāfaẓat al-Janūbīyah ): the sparsely populated southern part of the island country.
To get
Visa
Citizens of 67 countries can obtain a 14-day visa on arrival, while citizens of 114 countries, including all those eligible for a visa on arrival, are eligible to apply for a 14-day visa online. See the website of the Ministry of Interior for the latest details. If your nationality is not eligible for any of these, or if you are visiting for reasons other than tourism or business, you will need a sponsor in Bahrain to submit your visa application for you.
Bahrain is one of the few Gulf states that accepts Israeli passports (although you will need a visa) and passports with evidence of visits to Israel.
No visa is required for citizens of GCC member states and a short stay visa on arrival will be granted to residents of GCC member states regardless of nationality. Qatar is an exception to this; Due to the 2017 GCC diplomatic crisis, visa rules have been greatly tightened for citizens of that country.
By plane
Bahrain International Airport (BAHIATA), in Muharraq, east of Manama, is the main base of Gulf Air and it has excellent connections throughout the region, London and Southeast Asia. The airport has good duty-free shops; It is renewing a Transhotel that offers beds and showers (for a fee) to those awaiting flights. Many residents of eastern Saudi Arabia choose to fly through Bahrain, and Gulf Air offers shuttle services to Khobar and Dammam to serve this market; Ask when booking.
The low-cost airline Air Arabia offers daily flights from Sharjah Airport (SHJIATA) north of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The major airlines Emirates and Etihad Airways also offer regular services from Bahrain to Dubai / Abu Dhabi /
Unlike other airports, this one is comparatively small. This is beneficial for a quick and easy departure and arrival.
By bus
Saudi Arabia-Bahrain Transportation Company (SABTCO) [1], tel. 973-17252959, operates eight buses daily from the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) bus station in Dammam via Khobar in Saudi Arabia, crossing the King Fahd Causeway, to the bus terminal next to the Lulu Center in downtown from Manama.
The service uses comfortable air-conditioned minibuses with a luggage trailer. Tickets are BD 6 / SR 60 and can be purchased in advance, although they will squeeze it without reservation if there is space. Since crossing the Causeway involves two passport controls and two customs controls, allow for 2 hours for the trip, plus traffic delays at peak times, such as Thursday nights. In times of congestion, buses can be a bit faster than private cars, as they can use separate lanes at immigration and customs.
Bahrain Saudi Transport & Tourism (BASATCO) offers what appear to be similar buses for a slightly lower fare of BD 4, although only four times a day (2011).
The SABTCO calendar in January 2011 was:
| From Dammam | By Khobar | From Manama |
|---|---|---|
| 07:15 | 08:00 | 07:00 |
| 10:00 | 10:45 | 09:00 |
| 12:00 | 12:45 | 11:00 |
| 14:00 | 14:45 | 13:00 |
| 16:00 | 16:45 | 15:00 |
| 18:00 | 18:45 | 17:00 |
| 20:00 | 20:45 | 19:00 |
| 22:00 | 22:45 | 21:00 |
By car
The 26 km King Fahd Causeway connects Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. SABTCO's BahrainLimo taxis with a capacity of four can take you through prices starting at BD 30 / SR300. Unofficial taxis, found at bus stations at both ends, can offer slightly lower fares.
Boat
There are no official boat services between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Travel
In taxi
Official rates start at 1 BD plus 0.200 fils per kilometer. However, in practice, meters are often "broken," covered, missing, or simply ignored, and you will need to agree on the rates in advance. Taxi drivers often ask for ridiculous prices. Most taxis now use their meters. Fares vary from 3 to 5 BD for a trip within Manama.
The airport gives guidelines on the official way to calculate taxi fares. An additional BD 2 will be added if you take a taxi waiting at the airport.
In general, taxis offer good service, but you do run into some bandits. When traveling from the airport, always use the white taxis with a red roof or London style. There is a rule if the meter is not used there is no charge; stick to this and call the police, and the driver will cooperate very quickly with the correct fare for the trip.
Finding a taxi can be difficult, although major hotels and shopping malls often have a few waiting outside. Some privately owned companies operate in the kingdom, the most popular of which are:
- Speedy Motor Service Radio-Metro Taxis SMS Radio-Meter Taxi is the oldest and most popular radio-meter taxi company in the Kingdom and the most reliable. Advance booking of taxis is possible, and they operate a 24-hour service, 365 days a year. Call 973-17 682999
- Bahrain Taxi Online Get a meter online in 10 minutes. Tel: 973-36688614
- Bahrain Limo is the sister company of the transport giant "Saudi Bahreini Transport Company" (SABTCO), which offers luxurious bus and limousine services through the King Fahd causeway.
- Bahrain Taxi Group Services radio taxi with more than 973 taxi drivers driving orange and white cars equipped with radiometers and most of them with credit card devices. Online booking of taxi services is available and can be requested by completing the form and making a call to the call center 973 66966976.
However, there have been occasional reports of taxi drivers trying to charge overpriced fares (like 50 BD for a short trip, when it should be 5 BD), although these are generally rare. Sticking to official taxi services is usually your best option.
By bus
There are also public buses that go to many parts of the island. The bus fares are low; Schedules and maps in English are available online.
For tourists the most important route is the A1 (Airport-Manama). To get to Bahrain Fort, take AA2 from the airport via Manama and exit at Seef, from there walk 2 km to the fort.
By car
If you plan to visit multiple sites, consider renting a car. The prices are from 10 to 20 BD per day, but they allow you to drive freely around the island.
If you are arriving by bus to the downtown Lulu parking lot, just turn your back to the downtown entrance, exit the parking lot, and you will find car rentals in the cluster of buildings across the street. A map or GPS is recommended as road signs can be scarce and it is not too difficult to go from one part of the country and land in another, although fortunately the country is small.
Speed limits are generally 50 km / h on highways and 80 to 120 km / h on highway. The fines for breaking the traffic law are quite severe, although the rules are not always applied correctly.
To buy
Money
| Bahraini dinar exchange rates As of January 2020:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available at XE.com |
The currency in Bahrain is the bahrain dinar , denoted by the symbol " .د.ب "or" BD "(ISO code: BHD ). It is divided into 1000 fils. One dinar is worth 2.66 US dollars, since the exchange rate is fixed, which makes it one of the most valued currencies in the world (second only to Kuwait). This may get some used to it: That seemingly cheap BD 10 taxi ride is in fact almost $ 27 and thus an outrageous scam.
The dinar is a fully convertible currency and there are no restrictions on its import or export. The denominations of the coins are 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils and 100 fils (500 fils coins are rarely seen, but they are valid). The denominations of the banknotes are 500 fils (BD 1/2), BD 1, BD 5, BD 10 and BD 20.
Being pegged to the US dollar means that it is effectively pegged to the Saudi Riyal at 1:10. Saudi Riyals (SAR) are accepted almost everywhere at that rate, although you will likely get your change in dinars and hotels may try to screw you up with a small percentage. If you are coming from KSA, there is no reason to exchange your money, but try to get rid of the leftover dinars before leaving the country as they are difficult to exchange elsewhere, even in Saudi Arabia.
Costs
Like most of the Gulf countries, Bahrain is not cheap. A decent dinner can cost around 5.0 BD and a car rental at 10-20 BD / day is reasonable, but hotel prices will affect your budget - a perfectly normal room in a "good" hotel can cost you 50 BD. Do not travel to Bahrain during the annual F1 race in April if you are looking for reasonable prices, as hotels will quadruple their rates. A room at the Gulf Hotel during this race could cost you more than BD 300 per night.
Shopping
There are several major shopping malls in Bahrain offering international and luxury brand stores and drugstores, supermarkets, etc., as well as food courts, contemporary and traditional cafes, play areas and arcades, cinemas (3D and 2D) and even an indoor water park. .
A visit to the local souk is a must. There you can negotiate the price of "rolex", jewelry and many other gifts. The souk is also home to many excellent tailors. If you are there long enough (say a week) then you can wear your favorite garment and it will be accurately "cloned" into whatever material you select from the wide range available.
Eat and drink
To eat
Bahrain has an impressive food scene, with numerous restaurants to choose from. The main dining room is Adliya, where you can choose from numerous cafes, trendy lounges, and restaurants.
Restaurants in Bahrain encompass a wide range from cheap stalls offering local food to upscale restaurants in upscale hotels. American fast food franchises are ubiquitous. Western-style (mostly American) franchises and eats can be found around malls and in the city center, offering food at upper-middle-range prices.
There is even a popular alley in Juffair called 'American' Alley ', this is due to the wide variety of US based restaurants in that area.
Signature dishes
Machboos (aka Kabsa) - Made primarily from a mix of spices, rice (usually long-grain basmati), meat, and vegetables
Muhammar: a sweet rice dish usually served with fish.
Sandwiches and bread
- Samosa: a fried or baked dough with a flavorful filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, lentils, ground lamb, or chicken.
- Khubz (Flat bread). Available in almost all supermarkets and cold rooms.
Desserts
- The most popular traditional dessert is Halwa Showaiter, also know as Halwa bahraini. It is a halwa-like jelly made with cornstarch, saffron, and various nuts.
The Bahrain traditional food it is very difficult to find in restaurants and is usually limited to the homes of locals. If you have Bahraini friends, the best chance you have to sample the local cuisine is to be invited over for lunch.
To drink
Bahrain has relatively liberal laws regarding alcohol and has long been a favorite getaway for visitors from Saudi Arabia and other nearby "dry" countries. Don't be surprised to see the Arabs in thobe Y gutra sipping brewskis as they watch dancers strut their about in nightclubs. However, alcohol can only be served in hotels with four stars or higher, and you won't find it in supermarkets.
Under Bahrain law, any sign of having consumed alcohol can be taken as evidence prima facie driving under the influence of alcohol, which can lead to prison terms and / or fines of up to BD 1,000.
The cafe, called locally gahwa (قهوة), is considered part of the traditional welcome in Bahrain. It is usually poured into a coffee pot, which is called dalla (دلة) in Bahrain. It is served in a small cup made for coffee called pretend (فنجان).
external links
Wikipedia has an article on Bahrain.w: Bahrain
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about Bahrain. Commons
