Bahrain Neighbouring Countries on the Map
Bahrain’s Next-Door Buddies
Western Pal
Over to the west of Bahrain, you’ve got Saudi Arabia, lounging like that chill best friend just across the King Fahd Causeway. This concrete link means truckloads of trade and travel between the two, keeping the friendship alive and kickin’ (Wikipedia). There’s a plan with one heck of a price tag—$1-2 billion—to beef up connections with the GCC Railway tying together all six Gulf pals. They’ll throw in 36 klicks of track for good measure. Funding’s coming from the Ministry of Transportation in Saudi and the King Fahad Causeway Authority, kinda like a family affair showing off how tight-knit they are.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Neighbor | Saudi Arabia |
| Key Infrastructure | King Fahd Causeway |
| Rail Project | GCC Railway |
| Project Cost | $1-2 billion |
| Bahrain Contribution | 36 km |
Eastern Buddy
On the flip side, to the east, we’ve got Qatar in the picture. This neighbor’s close enough to pop over for sugar (economically speaking) thanks to their nearness. That location has been great for commerce and sharing a bit of culture over time. Bahrain squeezes itself neatly between Qatar and Saudi’s northeast (Wikipedia). There was a bit of a spat over the Ḥawār Islands, but way back in 2001, cooler heads prevailed, quashing any ill will and opening the door to friendship (Britannica).
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Neighbor | Qatar |
| Key Settlement | Ḥawār Islands Dispute Resolution (2001) |
| Key Connection | Close to northeastern Saudi Arabia |
Getting a grip on who rubs elbows with Bahrain helps you see why it’s such a hotspot in the Gulf. Hungry for more about geographical pals? Check out our other reads on countries like Afghanistan neighbors and Argentina neighbors.
Connectivity and Transportation
King Fahd Causeway
Bahrain hooks up to Saudi Arabia with the King Fahd Causeway, quite the impressive bridge that stretches out about 24 kilometers. This 4-lane road finished up in December 1986, plays a big role in keeping things moving smoothly between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, whether you’re talking trucks full of goods or folks heading to visit family (Wikipedia).
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Length | 24 km |
| Lanes | 4 |
| Built | December 1986 |
| Money Bag | Saudi Arabia |
Proposed Railway System
Bahrain’s dreaming big with plans to roll out a nifty railway system that’ll connect all the gang in the Persian Gulf. It’s about making things easier and faster for folks and businesses bouncing from one country to another. Plus, Bahrain’s looking into a snazzy light rail network and a subway for buzzing around the city zip-quick.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Gulf Ties | Yep |
| Light Rail | In the Works |
| Subway System | In the Works |
Airports and Harbors
In the air travel game, Bahrain’s got it down with four airports. You’ve got one for the rest of us—Bahrain International Airport—and then three just for the military: Isa Air Base, Sakhir Air Base, and Riffa Air Base. Every single one’s got paved runways, keeping the skies open and busy.
Bahrain International Airport is plopped right where you want it, between Saudi Arabia and Iran, up in the blowy north of the Persian Gulf. With lots of flights across the region and handy routes to the big global spots, you can hop from here to there with no sweat (Navsea (Navy)).
| Airport | Type | Runways |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain International Airport | Civil | Paved Runways |
| Isa Air Base | Military | Paved Runways |
| Sakhir Air Base | Military | Paved Runways |
| Riffa Air Base | Military | Paved Runways |
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Diplomatic Relations
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Back in ’81, Bahrain hitched up with five fellow Arab states to create the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC for short. It’s been like a group effort to jazz up economic and defense ties among those involved. They’ve been buddying up on stuff like trade and keeping the region safe and sound.
The GCC sticks to the motto of ‘together we stand.’ Bahrain hasn’t skipped a beat when it comes to jumping on board with the GCC’s economic and defense plans (Wikipedia).
| Country | Year Joined GCC |
|---|---|
| Bahrain | 1981 |
| Kuwait | 1981 |
| Oman | 1981 |
| Qatar | 1981 |
| Saudi Arabia | 1981 |
| United Arab Emirates | 1981 |
When the King Fahd Causeway was built, linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, it wasn’t just for the views. It’s tightened the economic and security relationship and made it all easier for those two to shake hands and work together.
Get the scoop on Bahrain’s neighboring countries and see how they chat in the GCC club.
Bilateral Relations
Since the big independence bash in ’71, Bahrain’s been on good terms with most folks nearby and even around the globe. They’re all about talking it out with neighbors to iron out any kinks.
Ranked by the World Bank as a high earner, Bahrain’s got connections; it’s part of clubs like the UN, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and our friendly GCC (Wikipedia).
180 nations have their flags planted in terms of bilateral bonds, with 36 embassies laying groundwork. The U.S. even made Bahrain a key non-NATO pal in 2001 (Wikipedia).
| Country | Embassy in Bahrain |
|---|---|
| United States | ✔ |
| United Kingdom | ✔ |
| India | ✔ |
| Saudi Arabia | ✔ |
| UAE | ✔ |
Want to dig deeper into Bahrain’s diplomatic plays with its next-door pals? Check out our regional agreements page.
Bahrain’s network of global and local ties underscores its game plan for a future that’s both stable and full of promise.
Military Alliances
United States Relations
Since the early ’90s, Bahrain’s been hanging out with Uncle Sam, hosting a big U.S. naval base over in Juffair. This base is not just any old gig; it’s the HQ for the mighty US Fifth Fleet. Their job? Keeping an eye on some serious waters: the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea (Wikipedia). But this friendship didn’t just pop out of thin air; these folks have been pals since back in 1948.
Why Bahrain? Well, it’s positioned in a spot that’s like gold for military strategies. With the U.S. Fleet parked there, it’s not just about shaking hands; it’s also about keeping the peace in the region.
| Thing | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Hangout Spot | Juffair, Bahrain |
| Big Players | US Fifth Fleet |
| Watch Areas | Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea |
| Friendship Started | 1948 |
Major Non-NATO Ally Designation
Bahrain’s got this special title, Major Non-NATO Ally, making it a bit of a VIP with the U.S. This label opens doors to military goodies and funding, making teamwork on defense stuff and military drills a breeze. Bahrain’s seat in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) boosts its defense and economy game with the team.
The GCC’s a cool club started in 1981, with Bahrain and its neighbors teaming up for stronger economic and defense bonds. The King Fahd Causeway, that big bridge connecting Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, only made things sweeter for these allies. Curious about diplomatic handshakes? Check out the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and how Bahrain’s palling around with nearby countries diplomatic ties with neighboring states.
| Title | Major Non-NATO Ally |
|---|---|
| Perks | Defense projects, joint drills |
| Regional Club | Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) |
| Big Bridge | King Fahd Causeway |
Want to dig deeper into what’s happening in the neighborhood? Peek at stories like Argentina neighboring countries and Armenia neighboring countries.
Economic Assistance
Bahrain’s got a leg up from its neighbors to steady the ship and keep everyone afloat financially. They stepped in with a cash injection and a bit of advice on how to get the ledger balanced.
Aid Packages
Back in 2018, a trio of neighbors—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait—came together with a hefty $10 billion gift basket over five years to tackle Bahrain’s mounting debt troubles. Of course, it wasn’t charity; there was a nudge towards tightening the belt and sorting out the books for the long haul (Britannica).
| Year | Aid Package ($Billion) | Neighbors Involved |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 10 | Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait |
This cash stash was all about helping Bahrain get a handle on its debts, blending its fiscal tunes, and making sure it could not only pay the bills but also invest in future endeavors.
Economic Reforms
To make good on the help they got, Bahrain rolled out some money-smart moves. Among the most talked-about was the launch of a little extra at the cashier—VAT in 2019. It wasn’t a Bahraini original; they took a page from the tax notebooks in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
| Year | Reform | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | VAT | Introduced a regional tax, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE |
Turning on the VAT tap was a step towards getting Bahrain’s income pool to stop relying so heavily on oil money. It fits into the bigger picture of keeping the finances stable and setting up a reliable money-making plan.
For those curious about Bahrain’s neighborhood buddies, whether it’s close pals like Afghanistan neighboring countries or Albania neighboring countries, digging into these financial friendships can shed light on the team spirit and mutual back-scratching in the region. These moves are part of Bahrain’s master plan to build a more solid financial base in the Gulf and keep things steady for the future.
Regional Connections
Getting to know Bahrain’s role in neighborhood alliances gives us a glimpse of its interactions and policies with nearby countries. This section takes a fun look at Bahrain’s part in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its chit-chats with the countries next door.
Life in the Gulf Club – GCC Style!
Bahrain hangs out in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which kicked off on May 25, 1981. Think of the GCC as a cool club where six Arab nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, join forces.
The gang gets along to tackle stuff like economic projects, defense pep talks, and security plans. With the GCC card in its pocket, Bahrain has tightened its economic and military bonds with fellow club members. Bahrain chips in with GCC’s steps for teamwork, creating a united squad vibe among the members. Bringing great teamwork tales to life, we have examples like the King Fahd Causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, amping up both economic and defense ties.
| GCC Hangout Nation | City Central | Join the Club Party Date |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | Manama | May 25, 1981 |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | May 25, 1981 |
| Oman | Muscat | May 25, 1981 |
| Qatar | Doha | May 25, 1981 |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | May 25, 1981 |
| UAE | Abu Dhabi | May 25, 1981 |
Chatting with Neighbors
Bahrain has been chill with its next-door buddies and the wider world since it got rolling solo in 1971. It opts for a friendly chat style with its neighboring crew, often echoing the major grooves of Saudi Arabia in foreign dealings (Britannica).
Being part of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf significantly shapes the way Bahrain does its diplomatic dance. They focus on patching up disagreements and sparking collaborations across sectors like economy, security, and social growth.
Bahrain also high-fives the United States, shown by hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. These ties stretch to defense and trade partnerships, highlighting Bahrain’s strategic groove in the neighborhood (Britannica).
For more cool reads on diplomatic connections of other nations, you might wanna peep into articles like afghanistan neighboring countries, albania neighboring countries, or bangladesh neighboring countries.
