Manama is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a flat and small archipelago, in the Persian Gulf.
The oil boom of the 1970s greatly benefited Manama/Bahrain. The city is a very modern city with a impressive skyline.
The summers are very hot with a high humidity, especially in the summer nights. During the day temperatures can reach above 48°C (118°F).
Most rainfalls occur in the winter season, recorded maximum of 7.2 cm (+/-3 inch). Winters are mild and very hot. Average temperatures of the summer and winter seasons are generally from 17°C (63°F) to about 45°C (113°F). The most pleasant time in Bahrain is autumn when sunshine is low, along with warm temperatures tempered by soft breezes.
Manama is a popular tourist destination, because of its authentic Arab heritage and a reputation as a relatively liberal and modern city.
The official religion of Bahrain is Islam, which the majority of the people practices. In 2001, 80% of Bahrain's population was Muslim, 10%
were Christian, and 10% practiced other religions.
Bahrain is more liberal than its neighbours. While Islam is the main religion, Bahrainis have been known for their tolerance, and Churches, Hindu temples, Sikh Gurdwara and a Jewish synagogue can be found alongside mosques.
That's why Bahrain/Manama is sometimes called the "Middle East lite" |
