Bahrain

Did you know?

• 🏝An archipelago in the Persian Gulf with a long history of trade and pearling.
• 🏳️The modern flag was officially adopted in 2002, though its roots trace back to the early 19th century. The red field is the traditional color of the Arab states in the Persian Gulf, symbolizing bravery, strength and the country's long history. The white band was added in 1820 after a general treaty with Great Britain to signify peace and friendship. The five white serrated points (zigzag) were originally created to distinguish Bahrain's flag from those of neighboring nations, and in 2002 the number was reduced to exactly five to represent the Five Pillars of Islam (Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Sawm and Hajj).
• 🌳The solitary Tree of Life — in the middle of Bahrain's barren desert grows a unique 400-year-old acacia known as 'Sharajat-al-Hayat'. There are no known water sources near it for miles, yet it stays vibrant and green all year round. Because of this natural miracle, old legends frequently link its location to the biblical Garden of Eden.
• 🦪Pearling shaped Bahrain's economy and culture for millennia. UNESCO's Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy, preserves oyster beds and historic sites in Muharraq.
• 🏎️Middle East Formula 1 pioneers — Bahrain made history in 2004 as the first country in the Middle East to build a world-class race track (Sakhir) and host a Formula One Grand Prix. Out of respect for local Islamic values, winning drivers celebrate on the podium with a non-alcoholic sparkling rosewater drink made from pomegranate ('Ward') instead of champagne.