Manama

 

(äl mänäm'ä) , town (1991 pop. 127,578), capital, commercial center, and largest city of Bahrain, on the Persian Gulf. It has oil refineries and light industries and is a free port. The National Museum and a Qur'an museum are in the town, and the command of the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based there. A causeway links the town with the island of Al Muharraq.

For the song, see Mah Nà Mah Nà.

Manama, Bahrain
Manama and Bahrain from space, June 1996.
Coordinates: 26°13′N 50°35′E / 26.217, 50.583
Governorate	Capital Governorate
Government
- Governor	Humood bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Population (2001)
- City
- Density	/km² (/sq mi)
- Metro
Website: http://www.capital.gov.bh

Manama (Arabic: المنامة Al-Manāmah) is the capital city of Bahrain and is the country's largest city with a population of approximately 155,000, roughly a quarter of the country's entire population.

Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy. (See Economy of Bahrain.) Because of its thriving economy, a Dutch firm has proposed a 1,000m+ skyscraper called the Murjan Tower to be built. Currently only a concept, if built it would be the world's tallest structure of all time.

History

Main article: History of Manama

Manama was mentioned in Islamic chronicles at least as far back as 1345. It was conquered by Portugal in 1521 and then by the Persians in 1602.^[1] Since 1783 it has been under the control of the Al-Khalifa dynasty. Manama was declared a free port in 1958 and in 1971 became the capital of independent Bahrain.^[2]

Climate

In common with the rest of Bahrain, Manama has extremely hot, humid summers, and mild winters. Temperatures may rise as high as 50°C (120°F) in summer, as is the case in the rest of the country.^[3] Winters are generally a lot milder, with average temperatures in January around 17°C (63°F).^[4]

Geography

The city is located in the far north-eastern corner of Bahrain island on a small peninsula. As in the rest of Bahrain island, the land is generally flat (or gently rolling) and arid.

Manama is served by Bahrain International Airport on the nearby island of Al Muharraq, to which it is connected via a causeway.

The major places within Manama are:

• Adliya
• Diplomatic Area
• Gudaibiya
• Hoora
• Noaim
• Juffair
• Seef
• Umm Al Hassam
• Zinj

Law and government

Manama is part of the Capital Governorate, one of five Governorates of Bahrain. Until 2002 it was part of the municipality of Al-Manamah. Councils exist within the governorates; eight constituencies are voted upon within Capital Governorate in 2006. ^[5]

Economy

Manama is the focal point of the Bahraini economy. While oil has decreased in importance in recent years due to depleting reserves, petroleum is still the mainstay of the economy, while heavy industry (e.g. aluminum smelting, ship repair), banking and finance, and tourism are increasing in importance. Several multinationals have facilities and offices in and around Manama. ^[6]

The economic base for Manama itself is financial services, with over two hundred financial institutions and banks based in the Diplomatic Area. There is also a large retail sector in the shopping malls around Seef, while the centre of Manama is dominated by small workshops and traders.

Transport

Bahrain International Airport is located approximately 15 kilometers from the city. Bahrain International Airport is the premier hub airport in the Middle East. Strategically located in the Northern Gulf between the major markets of Saudi Arabia and Iran, the airport has the widest range and highest frequency of regional services with ideal connections to major international destinations in Europe, Asia , Africa , the Far East and Australasia...

Demographics

Manama forms the bulk of the Capital Governorate, the exact population of which was given in 2001 as 163,696. 103,235 of these were male, the other 60,641 female. The majority of Manama residents are non-Bahrainis: only 55,230 residents have Bahraini citizenship.^[7]

Neighborhoods

The major neighborhoods within Manama are:

• Adliya
• Bu Ashira
• Bu Ghazal
• Diplomatic Area
• Fareeq el-Hammam
• Fareeq el-Hatab
• Fareeq el-Makharqa
• Ghuraifa
• Gudaibiya
• Gufool
• Hoora
• Juffair
• Mahooz
• Naim
• Seef
• Sulmaniya
• Umm Al Hassam
• Zinj

Culture

Bahrain is strongly Islamic and Arabic; while Manama shares these traits, it also contains a large number of foreigners and foreign influences, with just under a third of the populace hailing from abroad.^[8]. Alcohol is legal in the country, with bars and nightclubs operating in the city. This is in contrast to many other Arabic countries, such as Saudi Arabia, who ban alcohol under all circumstances.

Soccer is a popular sport, with three teams from Manama participating in the Bahraini Premier League.

Education

The University of Bahrain has its main campus in Manama.

External links

• US Embassy Manama Bahrain
• Website with pictures of Manama

• Maps and aerial photos for 26°′″N 50°′″E / 26.2152, 50.5888Coordinates: 26°′″N 50°′″E / 26.2152, 50.5888
  • Maps from MapQuest, Multimap and Yahoo! Maps
  • Satellite images and maps from Google Maps and Live Search
  • Other mapping from GlobalGuide and WikiMapia

Notes and references

Capitals of Asia
Central Asia	Kabul, Afghanistan (sometimes considered South Asian) · Astana, Kazakhstan · Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan · Dushanbe, Tajikistan · Ashgabat, Turkmenistan · Tashkent, Uzbekistan
East Asia	Beijing, People's Republic of China (China) · Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan) · Tokyo, Japan · Pyongyang, North Korea · Seoul, South Korea · Ulan Bator, Mongolia
South Asia	Kabul, Afghanistan (often considered Central Asian) · Dhaka, Bangladesh · Thimphu, Bhutan · New Delhi, India · Malé, Maldives · Kathmandu, Nepal · Islamabad, Pakistan · Kotte (official, administrative) and Colombo (commercial), Sri Lanka
Southeast Asia	Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei · Phnom Penh, Cambodia · Dili, East Timor · Jakarta, Indonesia · Vientiane, Laos · Kuala Lumpur (official) and Putrajaya (administrative), Malaysia · Naypyidaw, Myanmar · Manila, Philippines · Singapore, Singapore · Bangkok, Thailand  · Hanoi, Vietnam
Southwest Asia	Yerevan, Armenia · Baku, Azerbaijan · Manama, Bahrain · Nicosia, Cyprus · Tbilisi, Georgia · Tehran, Iran · Baghdad, Iraq · Jerusalem (official, administrative) and Tel Aviv, (diplomatic) Israel · Amman, Jordan · Kuwait City, Kuwait · Beirut, Lebanon · Muscat, Oman · Doha, Qatar · Riyadh, Saudi Arabia · Damascus, Syria · Ankara, Turkey · Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates · San‘a’, Yemen

Portuguese Empire

North Africa  15th century 1415–1640  Ceuta 1458–1550  Alcácer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir) 1471–1550  Arzila (Asilah) 1471–1662  Tangier 1485–1550  Mazagan (El Jadida) 1487- middle 16th century  Ouadane 1488–1541  Safim (Safi) 16th century 1505–1769  Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué (Agadir) 1506–1525  Mogador (Essaouira) 1506–1525  Aguz (Souira Guedima) 1506–1769  Mazagan (El Jadida) 1513–1541  Azamor (Azemmour) 1577–1589  Arzila (Asilah) Sub-Saharan Africa  15th century 1455–1633  Arguin 1470–1975  São Tomé1 1474–1778  Annobón 1478–1778  Fernando Poo (Bioko) 1482–1637  Elmina (São Jorge da Mina) 1482–1642  Portuguese Gold Coast 1496–1550  Madagascar (part) 1498–1540  Mascarene Islands 16th century 1500–1630  Malindi 1500–1975  Príncipe1 1501–1975  Portuguese E. Africa (Mozambique) 1502–1659  St. Helena 1503–1698  Zanzibar 1505–1512  Quíloa (Kilwa) 1506–1511  Socotra 1557–1578  Accra 1575–1975  Portuguese W. Africa (Angola) 1588–1974  Cacheu2 1593–1698  Mombassa (Mombasa) 17th century 1642–1975  Cape Verde 1645–1888  Ziguinchor 1680–1961  São João Baptista de Ajudá 1687–1974  Bissau2 18th century 1728–1729  Mombassa (Mombasa) 1753–1975  São Tomé and Príncipe 19th century 1879–1974  Portuguese Guinea 1885–1975  Portuguese Congo (Cabinda) 1 Part of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1753.   2 Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879. Southwest Asia  16th century 1506–1615  Gamru (Bandar Abbas) 1507-1643  Sohar 1515–1622  Hormuz (Ormus) 1515-1648  Quriyat 1515-?   Qalhat 1515–1650  Muscat 1515?-?   Barka 1515-1633? Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah) 1521–1602  Bahrain (Al Muharraq and Manama) 1521-1529?  Qatif 1521?-1551? Tarut Island 1550-1551  Qatif 1588-1648  Matrah 17th century 1620-?   Khor Fakkan 1621?-?   As Sib 1621-1622  Qeshm 1623-?   Khasab 1623-?   Libedia 1624-?   Kalba 1624-?   Madha 1624-1648  Diba al-Hisn 1624?-?   Bandar-e Kong Indian subcontinent  15th century 1498–1545  Laccadive Islands (Lakshadweep) 16th century Portuguese India    1500–1663  Cochim (Kochi)    1502–1661  Quilon (Coulão/Kollam)    1502–1663  Cannanore (Kannur)    1507–1657  Negapatam (Nagapattinam)    1510–1962  Goa    1512–1525  Calicut (Kozhikode)    1518–1619  Paliacate (Pulicat)    1521–1740  Chaul    1523–1662  São Tomé de Meliapore    1528–1666  Chittagong    1534–1601  Salsette Island    1534–1661  Bombay (Mumbai)    1535–1739  Baçaím (Vasai-Virar)    1536–1662  Cranganore (Kodungallur)    1540–1612  Surat    1548–1658  Tuticorin (Thoothukudi)    1559–1962  Daman and Diu    1568–1659  Mangalore    1579–1632  Hughli    1598–1610  Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam) 1518–1521  Maldives 1518–1658  Ceilão (Ceylon/Sri Lanka) 1558–1573  Maldives 17th century Portuguese India    1687–1749  São Tomé de Meliapore 18th century Portuguese India    1779–1954  Dadra and Nagar Haveli East Asia and Oceania  16th century 1511–1641  Malacca 1512–1621  Banda Islands 1512–1621  Moluccas (Maluku Islands)    1522–1575  Ternate    1576–1605  Ambon    1578–1650  Tidore 1512–1665  Makassar 1553–1999  Macau 1571–1639  Decima (Dejima, Nagasaki) 17th century 1642–1975  Portuguese Timor (East Timor)1 19th century Macau    1864–1999  Coloane    1851–1999  Taipa    1890–1999  Ilha Verde 20th century Macau    1938–1941  Lapa and Montanha (Hengqin) 1 1975 is the date of East Timor's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, the independence of East Timor was recognized by Portugal and the rest of the world. North America and the North Atlantic Ocean  15th century 1420           Madeira 1432           Azores 16th century 1501–1570?  Terra Nova (Newfoundland) 1501-1570?  Labrador 1519–1570?  Nova Scotia Central and South America  16th century 1500–1822  Brazil 1536–1620  Barbados 17th century 1680–1777  Nova Colônia do Sacramento 19th century 1808–1822  Cisplatina (Uruguay) Portuguese colonization of the Americas

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