Text: Natalia Remmer HAVE A LONG WEEKEND? IT IS TIME TO DEPART FOR GUESTS TO NEIGHBORS OF THE PERSIAN GULF. FOR EXAMPLE, ON AN ANCIENT AND MYSTERIOUS ISLAND DILMUN.
The country is bright, immaculate
The oldest civilization of the Arabian Peninsula with six thousand years of history, a radiant country, a paradise on Earth and the birthplace of all mankind, and now the smallest state of the Persian Gulf. Of course, we are talking about Bahrain. A tiny archipelago with a total area of 720 square meters. kilometers with a population of just over a million people actually rooted in the depths of centuries, reaching the very beginnings - the moment of the creation of the world.
Indeed, according to one of the legends, the Old Testament Garden of Eden was located exactly on the site of modern Bahrain. In evidence, the text of the Scriptures is cited, according to which a river came out of Eden, located "in the east," to irrigate paradise, which was then divided into four others. Considering that these four rivers could be understood as Fison, Gijon, Tigris and Euphrates, in the valley of which the famous Sumerian kingdom was located, the current Persian Gulf could well be the main full-flowing river, where they originated.
Despite the fact that this hypothesis remains unproven, Bahrain's enterprising authorities can exploit this legend. So, in the center of the main island of Bahrain, in the middle of the desert, fenced with a neatly painted fence, the so-called “Tree of Life” (Shajarat Al-Hayat) has been greening for four centuries, surprising all travelers with its persistence and unwaveringness before the heat and drought. The Bahraini claim that Shajarat AlHayyat is the last reminder of paradise times (and the centuries-old age difference does not bother them at all), as well as proof of the existence of a second, underground sea (Bahrain in Arabic means “two seas” - approx. ), from which one of the symbols of Bahrain and eats moisture.
The only island nation in the Persian Gulf is certainly proud of its ancient history, which can be carefully studied at the National Museum - the oldest and richest in the entire region. Here, in a picturesque harbor on the very shore of the bay, there is an exhibition of ancient archaeological artifacts, samples of flora and fauna, as well as a valuable exhibit - a collection of old manuscripts of the Koran. Wandering through the cool halls of the museum, you can learn about the history of the country's pearl industry, about the period of countless conquests and the change of power, get acquainted with national traditions and rituals. In other words, completely satisfy cultural hunger!
Town of contrasts
Modern Manama, the capital and main economic region of Bahrain, located at the northern end of the eponymous and largest island of the archipelago, is a town of contrasts, very reminiscent of other administrative centers in the Gulf region. The quiet streets of the old city, with low houses, battered by time, are adjacent to the glass skyscrapers growing upward. Today, the most famous multi-story symbol of modern Bahrain (240 meters high) is the World Trade Center complex with its five-star Sheraton hotel and Moda Mall shopping center, where all the world's leading fashion brands are represented.
From the upper floors of the towers you can see how the desert gradually gives way to a growing megalopolis, which, in turn, is gradually gaining a place under the sun from the sea. So, in addition to 33 natural Bahrain today is famous for its bulk islands. The largest of them is the fashionable quarter Treasure of Bahrain (Durrat Al Bahrain) with an area of 20 square meters. kilometers located at the southern tip of the main island. Soon, modern residential and office buildings, as well as luxury hotels, will appear on its territory. It is planned that 60 thousand people will become residents of this new district. Among the "younger brothers" of the archipelago, which should also grow in place of the azure waters of the Persian Gulf, are the "northern" islands Amvazh and Lulu.
Numerous islands and islets of Bahrain connect road bridges, and the only way to the continent, or to neighboring Saudi Arabia, runs along the King Fadh bridge. It was opened in 1986 and is considered one of the longest in the world (25 km long). On the border of the two states, you can climb to the observation deck to admire the achievements of engineering and the sea distances of the Persian Gulf. When neighbors from Saudi Arabia have a long weekend, they line up in their luxurious cars on King Fadh Bridge in a long string to visit their closest neighbors and have a good time. However, this is a completely different story!
