Manama, the capital of Bahrain, is a vibrant and modern city known for its rich history and modern skyscrapers such as Bahrain World Trade Centre and Bahrain Financial Harbour. With a diverse population of over 157,000 people, it is a financial hub in the Middle East and a blend of traditional culture and modern advancement.
Introduction
Manama is the capital city of Bahrain. It’s situated on the northeastern coast of Bahrain. Manama is an important trading center in the Persian Gulf. It is the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural centre. Since the 19th century, Manama is known for its influence on the Persian Gulf region. It is famous for its mix of traditional and modern architecture such as the Al-Fateh Grand Mosque and Bahrain World Trade Centre.
Data and Facts
According to the 2010 census, Manama had a population of 157,474. Due to its status as a financial hub in the Middle East, Manama is considered to be diverse with expatriates making up a majority of the population. When it comes to religious beliefs, Manama is predominantly Muslim. According to the data, 70.2% people in Manama identified themselves as Muslim. As a diverse city, Manama houses residents who speak multiple languages including Arabic, English, Hindi, Filipino, and Bengali.
Economy
Manama has always been a commercial city and today enjoys the status of being a financial hub in the Middle East. The city thrives in trade and commerce and has a vibrant culture steeped in commerce. It has a significant GDP, which is a major part of Bahrain's total GDP. The size of its economy is larger than that of several Middle Eastern nations.
Infrastructure
Manama has taken positive steps with its infrastructure plan. The government of Bahrain has identified a range of infrastructure priorities for Manama, from new energy, water and sewerage infrastructure, to enhanced digital connectivity and new road schemes. Some of the investment is provided by the private sector, through the privatized utilities. This has generally worked well in Manama, although business is particularly concerned at the lack of capacity in digital infrastructure.