Manama

Government

Manama (Arabic المنامة, al - Manama ) is the capital of the Kingdom of Bahrain. In 2008 there were about 155,000 people Manama, around 15 percent of the total population of Bahrain. This Manama is also the largest city of the island nation. Together with the north-east directly adjacent towns Muharraq and Al Hidd and some smaller communities resulting in a metropolitan area of nearly 300,000 inhabitants.

Geography

Manama Bahrain is located in the north of the island, right on the Persian Gulf.

Climate

History

Manama was mentioned in Islamic chronicles for the first time in 1345. 1521 Portuguese navigator took a place and after 1602 it was ruled by Persians. Since 1783 there, with brief interruptions, the Arab Al- Khalifa dynasty.

In 1947 there was severe religious pogroms against the Jewish minority in the city. In today's Bahrain members of different religions are welcome. In the Sasa'ah Avenue, in a business district of Manama, the only synagogue in the region is obtained.

Manama was declared a free port in 1958 and 1971 on the capital of independent Bahrain.

Opened in 1987, the Al- Fatih Mosque in Juffair district, the largest mosque in the country; they can accommodate 7000 worshipers.

Economy

The economic base of the city is dominated by the banks. More than 400 institutions are registered in Manama district. More and more high-rise buildings and office complexes are being built for bank branches and financial service providers, such as the Bahrain Financial Harbour and the World Trade Center. In addition, an emerging textile industry, which relies on imported raw materials exist.

Tourism

Upcoming tourism is also with seven million visitors - mainly short break from the Arab world - and thus an important economic factor.

In recent years, many new hotels and holiday resorts, but especially the popular air-conditioned malls (Al Ali, Seef, Bahrain, Marina) in the area and around Manama. The largest is the brand Outlet " Bahrain City Centre ", it was opened in September 2008.

Manama is distinguished by its vigorous and typical Arab town and a relatively lively nightlife, the intact Suq is not overcrowded by tourists.

Manama is the capital of Arab Culture in 2012 and offers an extensive and highly interesting program that introduces the culture and the tradition of the country and the Gulf region.

Education

In 1986, the University of Bahrain was established in Manama. Besides there are some branches of foreign universities in the capital.

Traffic

In the north of Manama is located on the island of al - Muharraq of Bahrain International Airport.

In the city of Al Hidd on the east coast of the artificial harbor " Hidd Port" was ( officially " Khalifa bin Salman Port in Hidd " ) built far out to sea, he left in March 2009. With its annual capacity of 1.1 million TEUs, it serves mainly the container handling. On a bulk cargo area of 90 hectares, it offers around 5 km quay length plus another 45 acres of modern logistics zone. The new facility, making it one of the most efficient freight terminals in the Persian Gulf.

The public transport system is still worn mostly by taxis, the bus traffic consists of only a few private lines that adhere to the timetable rare. This is a consequence of the large car density, buses will therefore demand almost exclusively from poorer migrants. Plans for a real public transport there, the realization of which is not yet decided. Widely used among visitors and tourists is the rental car directly from the airport.

The financial district is the Pearl Roundabout, which is actually a roundabout, and was occupied during the protests in Bahrain in 2011 by protesters.

Miscellaneous

The headquarters of the 5th Fleet of the United States Navy located in Manama.