Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Bahrain

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Bahrain.

Speed

Overview

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

Physical Features

Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Climate: Bahrain, with a desert climate, is one of the world’s hottest areas. Its hottest and most humid weather is from June through September with temptures over 110ºF most days. The weather is pleasant from November through May (55º-85ºF) with infrequent rainfall. The combination of poor soil drainage and few storm sewers can result in muddy city streets and puddles. A narrow strip of land along the northern and northwestern coasts of Bahrain Island is cultivated with date palms, alfalfa, and vegetables. These garden areas are rapidly disappearing due to depleted water resources and development. A desert, punctuated by a north-south plateau, extends south of the cultivated area. Surrounding this plateau is a rolling basin surrounded by overhanging bluffs sloping into the sea. The ground is hard and infertile with a gravel surface until the spring when a pale, soft green covering appears on the desert following the winter rains. It provides a welcome contrast to the summer’s aridity. The highest point in Bahrain is the Jebel Dukhan, 134 meters above sea level. The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are in this area. The Arabian Gulf has an average debth of only 35 meters but is much shallower in the vacinty of Bahrain.
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/BFXX0005?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 122 — Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Lowest Point: Persian Gulf 0 m

Borders and Area

Area (Comparative): 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined contiguous zone: 24 NM

Natural Resources and Hazards

Natural Resources: oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Natural Hazards: periodic droughts; dust storms

Environment and Land Use

Current Environmental Issues: desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs
International Agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

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Geography and Environment of Bahrain

Detailed geography

Physical Features

Borders and Area

Natural Resources and Hazards

Environment and Land Use