Biggest Cities In Bahrain
Bahrain is a Middle Eastern island country between the northeast coast of Saudi Arabia and the Qatar Peninsula. The country is an Arab monarchy and is thus known as the Kingdom of Bahrain. The largest landmass of Bahrain, Bahrain Island, is connected to Saudi Arabia via the King Fahd Causeway. With an area of only 780 square km, Bahrain is Asia’s third smallest nation following Maldives and Singapore.
The Five Biggest Cities In Bahrain
Manama
Manama has served as an important trading center in the Persian Gulf for ages. The city is also home to a very diverse population. Manama and its twin city Muharraq were founded together in about the 1800’s, but the latter served as the capital of independent Bahrain until 1921. Manama was then the mercantile capital of the country and served as a gateway to the main Bahrain Island. The Arab League in 2012 designated Manama as the Capital of the Arab culture. Football is a popular sport in this city, and it also serves as the main location for the country’s Muharram processions in the nation.
Riffa
Riffa ranks second among the biggest cities in Bahrain. The city is divided into East Riffa and West Riffa. The former has many tourist attractions like the Riffa Fort, several shopping malls, and two primary shopping streets. The Royal Golf Club is a popular spot for golf players to gather and enjoy the sports. West Riffa is predominantly a residential area where the higher government officials and most members of the royal family live. The famous clock tower of Riffa is located in the center of West Riffa.
Muharraq
Muharraq is the third largest city in Bahrain and was the capital city of the country until 1932 when Manama replaced Muharraq. The city, an important religious center in the country, is situated on the Muharraq Island. The island also hosts the Bahrain International Airport. Muharraq has the country’s most successful football club, the Muharraq Club and is also famous for its souq, traditional music, and arts. The man-made Amwaj Islands with beaches, hotels, and large buildings are also located in Muharraq.
Hamad Town
The Hammad Town is located in the central part of Bahrain. It was set up in 1984 by the government to provide residence to those who could not afford to live in the other expensive parts of the country. The city has been named after Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifah, the current king of Bahrain. The city is an epitome of multiculturalism with a diverse mixed Shia-Sunni population. A number of council houses in the city have sheltered refugees and the needy people of Bahrain for years.
A’ali
A’ali is one of the biggest cities in Bahrain. The city is famous for its ancient burial mounds and traditional handcrafted pottery. The city is quite recently founded, and the first construction in the area started in the late 1970’s and since then has grown rapidly. A’ali houses a number of upper and middle-class families.
The Biggest Cities In Bahrain
Rank | City | Population |
---|---|---|
1 | Manama | 154,700 |
2 | Riffa | 111,000 |
3 | Muharraq | 98,800 |
4 | Hamad Town | 57,000 |
5 | A'ali | 51,400 |
6 | Isa Town | 39,800 |
7 | Sitra | 60,100 |
8 | Budaiya | 33,230 |
9 | Jidhafs | 32,600 |
10 | Al-Malikiyah | 14,800 |