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Introduction
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands offering a blend of ancient and modern. Modern skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodiments of Islamic art, culture and architecture.
MANAMA: Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the southeast of the market area and is particularly impressive during the hours of darkness.
Much land, including the diplomatic area, has been reclaimed from the sea. The ancient city capital of Bilad al-Qadim, which dates from AD 900, is just outside the new city.
Excursions: To sample some of Bahrain’s past, a visit to the A’ali Burial Mounds is recommended. This is the site for probably the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000 BC and AD 600. Other sites of antiquity include The House of Beit al-Jasra (birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain), Beit al-Siyadi (the 19th-century house of a pearl merchant), Barbar Temple, the ancient forts of Arad, Bahrain, and Riffa; the National Museum (tracing the archaeological development of Bahrain and including an ancient burial mound dating from 2800 BC that was transported from the desert and reassembled), Bait al-Qur’an (site of a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts), the al-Fateh Grand Mosque (Bahrain’s largest mosque), the Heritage Centre (focusing on traditional Bahraini culture) and a number of Oil Museums. In the old quarter of the town ancient houses still retain their ‘wind towers’. Constructed 5-6m (16-20ft) above the house and open on all four sides they act as primitive air-conditioning units.
Other attractions include long stretches of sandy beach and coral reefs. The largest and most pleasant beach can be found at Al Jazair, complete with beach huts, pavillions, and picnic areas. Trips in traditional boats (dhows) can be taken across the islands to many locations, including Desert Camp, al-Dar Islands, al-Bander Resort, Jebel Dukhasn (Mountain of Smoke), King Fahad Causeway, Tree of Life, al-Areen Wildlife Sanctuary (containing endangered species such as Arabian Onyx), and A’ali Village.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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