Manama is the capital of Bahrain. In the last 30 years the city has more than doubled in size and now covers about 25 square kilometres. The population has also risen dramatically from 67,000 in 1971, to 137,000 recorded 1991, and is currently estimated at about 160,000. The city occupies the far north-eastern corner of corner of the main island of the Bahrain archipelago. Manama is encircled by a ring of excellent highways which link it to the interior, the two causeways to Muharraq Island, a causeway to the Sitra region, and a causeway to Saudi Arabia.
Manama retains an intimate atmosphere with excellent public services and hotels, impeccable hygiene and reputation for security and public order. As well as modern banking, shopping, diplomatic, residential and services areas there still exists the traditional Suq.
Part of the fascination of Manama is its historical centre. This is a blaze of colour, exotic tastes, scents and touches, sounds and languages. The soukh is a place to spend the day (or evening) wandering from goldsmith, to spice merchant, to tailor to money changer.
Bab Al Bahrain means literally the "Gateway to Bahrain", and this prominent building guards the entry to the Soukh. It was built in 1945 as a suitable home for government use, beside what was then Customs Square (now a car park) and a pier (now reclaimed land). Renovated in 1986 it currently houses the Directorate of Tourism and Archaeology offices and shop.
The prestigious and brilliantly devised National Museum stands on the shore of Manama, by the Muharraq causeways, like a huge white ocean liner. Its fine large halls display a rich collection of artifacts covering the history and culture of Bahrain, and Bahrain natural history. There is also a fine art gallery displaying the work of Bahraini artists.
The quiet rooms of the Heritage Centre allows visitors to delve in to mists of Bahrain's dramatically changing recent history through historic photos and displays. You can learn about the pearl diving industry, once the staple of Bahrain's economy, but crushed in the 1930's by Japanese cultured pearls. Other rooms include fish and fishing, folk-music, date palms and falconry.
This article is copyrighted by Discover Bahrain
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