Bahrain
Bahrain
- Capital
- Manama
- Population
- 1,701,583
- Region
- Asia
- Languages
- Arabic
Bahrain was home to the ancient Dilmun civilization, which was once considered a legendary paradise in Mesopotamian texts and served as a vital trade hub between Sumer and the Indus Valley. The island is also world-renowned for its unique sweetwater springs that bubble up from the seabed, allowing divers to harvest rare natural pearls from the surrounding saltwater. This historical 'pearling path' is so significant that it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site to preserve the island's maritime heritage.
Currency
The official currency is the Bahraini Dinar, denoted by the ISO code BHD. Introduced in 1965 to replace the Gulf Rupee, it is currently one of the highest-valued currency units in the world due to its fixed exchange rate against the US Dollar. Notably, it is divided into 1,000 fils rather than the more common hundredth decimal units found in many other global currencies.
Flag symbolism
The flag consists of a white band on the hoist side separated from a red field by a serrated line forming five distinct triangles. These five white points are highly symbolic, representing the five pillars of Islam which are the foundation of the nation's faith. While the red is a traditional color for Persian Gulf states, the white was historically added to signify a peace treaty or 'truce' made with the British Empire in the 19th century.
Emblem history
The national emblem features a shield draped in a red and white mantling, which reflects the colors and serrated pattern of the national flag. It was originally designed in 1932 by the British advisor Charles Belgrave for the then-Sheikh of Bahrain and has undergone minor refinements to its serrations over the decades. Unlike many regional emblems that feature falcons or daggers, the Bahraini badge focuses on heraldic mantling to signify the sovereignty and traditional authority of the ruling Al Khalifa family.