Manama is the capital city of Bahrain. The city covers an area of about 25 square kilometres. The population of Manama is currently estimated at about 160,000. The city is situated in the far north-eastern corner of corner of the main island of the Bahrain archipelago.

The economical base for Bahrain is petroleum, oil refining, dhow building, fishing and pearl diving. Manama has an international airport on the island of Al Muharraq, to which it is connected with a causeway. The University of Bahrain was founded in 1986, and lies in Manama.

In 1958 Manama was declared to be a free port, then in 1971, after Iran dropped its legitimate territorial claims on the ancient Persian Island of Bahrain, Manama became the capital of the independent Arab ruled Bahrain.

In the last thirty years the city of Manama has more than doubled in size and now covers about 25 square kilometres. The population has also risen dramatically from 67,000 in 1971 to 137,000 recorded in 1991 and is currently estimated at about 160,000.

Part of the fascination of Manama is its historical centre. This is a blaze of colour, exotic tastes, scents and touches, sounds and languages. The soukh is a place to spend the day wandering from goldsmith, to spice merchant, to tailor to money changer.

Bab Al Bahrain means literally the "Gateway to Bahrain', and this prominent building guards the entry to the Soukh. It was built in 1945 as a suitable home for government use, beside what was then Customs Square and a pier.