The flat and fast terrain of Bahrain is ideal for racing. In 2018, the fastest finish time in an Ironman 70.3 triathlon was recorded in the country by Kristian Blummenfelt at 3:29:05.
42. Highest Waste Generation
Bahrain is listed by the Guinness World Records as the country with the highest amount of waste generated per capita. Each person produces 906.7 kg of waste every year.
43. First 3D Printed Coral Reef
Bahrain was able to produce the world’s first 3D-printed coral reef which was sunk along its coast in 2012. There are two units made from non-toxic, pH-neutral material with each weighing 1,100 lbs.
Lewis Hamilton tallied the most consecutive Formula 1 points finishes by a driver with 48. His streak started in 2018 and continued up to 2020 in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
45. First Supersonic Passenger Flight
British Airways launched its commercial Concorde service by flying from London to Bahrain in January 1976. The jet completed the 3,500-mile trip in 4 hours – much faster than the 6.5-hour flights of subsonic aircrafts.
The Bahrain World Trade Center boasts of the world’s first skyscrapers to integrate large-scale wind turbines into their design. It opened in 2007 with wind power supplying 11-15% of its energy needs.
47. Largest Flag
In 2004, Bahrain unfurled the world’s largest national draped flag at the time. This was in celebration of their 33rd National Day. The flag measures 160 meters by 96 meters and weighs 3,200 kilograms.
48. Biggest Bird Extinction
In modern times, the biggest bird to become extinct is the Arabian ostrich. It was hunted for plumes and for sport after World War I. The last confirm specimen was shot in Bahrain in 1941.
49. First Grand Prix in the Middle East
The Bahrain Grand Prix was the first of its kind to be staged in the region in 2004. It was won by Michael Schumacher for Scuderia Ferrari.
In 2019, Bahrain opened the world’ largest underwater theme park that included a submerged Boeing 747 jet to boost tourism and revive the pearl industry. Students are also given spaces to conduct practical experiments.
Bahrain – quick facts and statistics
Independence
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
Capital City
Manama
(26°13′N 50°35′E)
Largest City
Manama
(26°13′N 50°35′E)
Area
total: 760 sq km
land: 760 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Population
1,526,929 (July 2021 est.)
Official Language
Arabic
Borders
Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arab
Currency
Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years
Demonym
Bahraini
Religion
Islam
Literacy
97.5%
Life expectancy
79.67 years
Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.
Climate
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain
mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment.
Coastline
161 km
Highest point
Jabal ad Dukhan 135 m
Lowest point
Persian Gulf 0 m
National anthem
"Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)
Government type
Constitutional monarchy
King
Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Crown Prince and Prime Minister
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
National colors
red, white
National symbol
a red field surmounted by a white serrated band with five white points
National holiday
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Natural resources
oil, associated and non associated natural gas, fish, pearls.
Agricultural land
11.3% (2018)
Birth rate
12.5 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate
2.81 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratio
1.53 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Industries
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism.
Exports
$30.1 billion (2018 est.)
refined petroleum, aluminum and plating, crude petroleum, iron ore, gold (2019)
Imports
$27.19 billion (2018 est.)
cars, iron ore, jewelry, gold, gas turbines (2019)
