Bahrain
Bahrain is a small island in the Persian Gulf (or the Arabic Gulf, as the Arabs call it). It is linked to its big neighbor Saudi Arabia by a bridge and separated by a small strait from Qatar. The population is, like in neighboring Iran in large majority Shia Muslim. Less than 270 square miles in size, Bahrain is one of the most densely populated island countries in the world. Approximately 140,000 people reside in the capital city of Manama. Arabic is the official language, but many citizens also speak English. Bahrain is sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of the Middle East, because of its many banks and financial centers. Comprised of 33 islands, the country has one of the lowest elevations in the world; its highest point reaches a mere 134m or 440’. Bahrain’s main exports are aluminum and petroleum.
Major Cities in Bahrain
Manama, Adliya, Riffa, Muharraq, jiddhafs, Bahrain island, Muharraq Island,
Major Attractions:
Bahrain National Museum, Beit Al-Qur’an, Souk market, Al-Fatih Mosque, Qal’at al-Bahrain, Barbar and Ad-Diraz temples, Al-’Areen Wildlife Sanctuary, Abu Mahir Fort, Qal’at Arad, dhow building yard, Royal Tombs, Bani Jamrah
Related Travel Information
Oman
Situated on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the West, and the Republic of Yemen to the South. The United Arab Emirates lies on the North West, and to the East lies the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. The land area is 309,500 sq. kms.
Since the discovery of massive oil deposits, Oman has seen spectacular economic growth and modernization. The country has kept faithful to its Islamic traditions, however.
Even so, Oman has managed to create a relative open society, more open
Iran Travel Guide
Iran has a rich culture and, it remains widely misrepresented and little understood by the general public. It is a great country to travel, with efficient public transport, old cities packed with sights, ruins from ancient Persian and Caspian Sea beach resorts. Iran is a country with great ancient sights, rich culture, splendid cuisine and a very hospitable people. Despite the political winds this is a great country to visit.
Iran is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan. Slightly larger than Alaska
Iraq Travel Guide
Iraq is the country of Mesopotamia or Land Between the Rivers in classical times. It has a subtropical climate, with a tendency in direction of continental climate in the north. Iraq is very dependent on water from Tigris and Euphrates, as there is little rain falling here. The west and south is mostly stone desert. The country became known as Iraq in the 7th century. It’s the land were paradise allegedly once was. The region's extensive alluvial plains gave rise to the world's earliest civilizations, though in recent times it was not all that civilized. The modern
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia occupies four-fifths of the Arabian peninsula. Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, the Gulf of Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen border it. Today’s Saudi Arabia is still a land of mystery largely due to its fundamentalist Islam state form and its rigid admission policy. Saudi Arabia is incredibly difficult to visit, there's no tourist visa in this country. Best way to get in is by invitation of a Saudi person or company, or, if you’re a Muslim, on a pilgrimage to one of the holy cities.
The region also includes the city of Jeddah, until
Qatar
Qatar is a small peninsula in the Persian Gulf. It looks like a big thumb 'way up'.
The country is small but offers quite a few interesting things to the visitors. Doha, the capital is a nice town with good beaches nearby and lively markets.
Khor Al Udeid, or the Inland Sea, in the extreme south-east of the country is of great natural beauty. This is a large area of natural sand dunes, surrounding a calm inlet of the Gulf. The dunes are quite stunning - tall, shapely sand masses formed by the prevailing winds and subject to radical
