CAPITAL MANAMA - POPULTION 718,306 - AREA 665 SQ KM - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ARABIC
Liberal, friendly Bahrain, already a firm favourite with Middle East-bound travellers, is fast becoming a guaranteed-sunshine, long-weekend destination from Europe à la Dubai. Visitors head to Manama for top-notch sleeping and dining options (with, unusually for the region, readily available alcohol), and shopping at its fabulous souqs (markets). For something a little more culturally stimulating, head to the Unesco-rated Qala'at al Bahrain fort at Dilmun, where archaeological treasures await. April 2009 meanwhile, sees the sixth annual Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix drawing crowds from across the world, with new hotels springing up all the time to cope with an annually increasing influx. For something a little less noisy, the International Cycling Cup hits the same Formula One Grand Prix circuit in November.
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