The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Politics & World›Country›Bahrain
Politics & World • Country

Bahrain

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in the Persian Gulf in West Asia.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is an island country in the Persian Gulf in West Asia. It is a constitutional monarchy made up of an archipelago of 33 natural islands and additional artificial islands, with Manama as its capital and largest city.

Geography

Bahrain consists of Bahrain Island and numerous smaller islands in the western Persian Gulf. Bahrain Island makes up most of the country’s land area, and the capital, Manama, is located there.

Government and history

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy headed by the king. The Al Khalifa family took power in 1783, Bahrain was a British protectorate in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it became independent in 1971.

Economy

Bahrain has limited petroleum reserves compared with some neighbours, but its economy developed around oil refining and later diversified into banking, finance, aluminium, services, retail, and tourism.

Demographics

Recent estimates place Bahrain’s population at about 1.6 million, with expatriates forming a majority. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the official religion.

Key facts

  • Bahrain is an archipelago in the Persian Gulf and is the third-smallest country in Asia by area.
  • The country is connected to Saudi Arabia by the King Fahd Causeway.
  • Bahrain’s population includes a large expatriate community, which outnumbers Bahraini nationals in recent estimates.
  • The economy has historically depended on oil and refining, and has expanded into finance, services, communications, and tourism.
  • Bahrain became independent from British protection in 1971.
🍁
Canadian context

Canada and Bahrain maintain diplomatic relations, and Bahrain is relevant to Canadian readers through Gulf security, energy markets, and expatriate and business connections.

Frequently asked questions

What is Bahrain?
Bahrain is an island country and constitutional monarchy in the Persian Gulf, officially called the Kingdom of Bahrain.
What is the capital of Bahrain?
The capital and largest city is Manama.
How large is Bahrain?
Its area is about 760 square kilometres, making it one of Asia’s smallest countries.
Who rules Bahrain?
Bahrain is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with the king serving as head of state.
When did Bahrain become independent?
Bahrain became independent in 1971 after a period as a British protectorate.
What language is spoken in Bahrain?
Arabic is the official language, although English is also widely used.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain
    Supports: Basic geography, area, population, capital, islands, and location relative to Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Bahrain
    Supports: Overview of Bahrain’s geography, economy, capital, and island nature.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Bahrain
    Supports: Population estimate, official language, religion, currency, and government form.
  4. CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2023/countries/bahrain/summaries
    Supports: Historical notes on Al Khalifa rule and independence in 1971.
  5. Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/bahrain/bahrain-country-brief
    Supports: Population, location, maritime border, ruling family, and current head of state.
  6. United Nations — https://www.un.org/esa/earthsummit/barin-cp.htm
    Supports: Geographic position, island count, and location of Manama.