Bahrain Island

Bahrain Island is the largest island in the Bahrain archipelago and contains the national capital and main urban areas. It is the political, commercial and population centre of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The island hosts major urban districts including Manama and historic sites such as Qal’at al-Bahrain, an ancient fortified settlement with archaeological layers from long-standing regional civilizations. Economic activity, government institutions and most services are concentrated on the island.

Historically the island has been a centre of settlement and trade in the Persian Gulf for millennia and later became the administrative heart of the modern Bahraini state. Oil discovery and 20th century development led to rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion.

Geographically it sits in the Persian Gulf as the principal landmass of the state of Bahrain, with causeways and bridges linking to neighbouring islands and the Saudi mainland. The island’s coastline is mainly urban in the north and more varied with low-lying areas elsewhere.

• Political and population centre: The island contains the country's capital and most of Bahrain's population and economic activity, so travel to the island is effectively travel to Bahrain.
• Transport hub: Connected to neighbouring countries and islands by causeways and bridges, it is the hub for the archipelago's transport and infrastructure.

What to See #

• Manama: Manama - the capital city and main population centre of the country, located on the island's northeastern coast and hosting most government and commercial services.
• Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort): Qal'at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) - an archaeological site and former capital situated on the northern coast of the island, notable for layers of settlement spanning millennia.