Bahrain 6 - Shaikh Isa House in Muharraq

The house of Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa is situated in the heart of Muharrak, the old
capital of Bahrain, near to the Grand Mosque and is considered to be one of the oldest
houses in town.

[See more pictures in the slideshow].
The house was built at the end of the 18th century by Shaikh Hassan bin Ahmed Al Fatih
who lived there as well as his sons and grandsons.
Later on, the house became with king Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa a residence and a
government centre from 1869 to 1932.
Its huge walls, the small doors and the wind tower were conceived as
a protection from the heat in summer and the severe cold in winter.
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LINKS:
- BahrainTourism
- Bahrain Guide

Bahrain 5 - The Fort near Karranah

The Fort - Qal'at - of Bahrain [قلعة البحرين], is located by the sea in the northern coast
of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

[Slideshow by G@ttogiallo]
It is one of the Kingdom's most important historical and archaeological sites where
excavations carried out since 1954 have unearthed antiquaries from an artificial mound
of 12 m height containing seven stratified layers, created by various occupants from
2300 BC up to the 18th century, including Kassites, Portuguese and Persians.
It was once the capital of the Dilmun civilization and was inscribed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 2005.
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Bahrain 4 - A 400 years-old tree

It can be seen from a distance on a small rise of the ground, as you drive 2 km south-
ward from Jabel Al Dukhan into the Bahraini white desert.
As impressive on the map as in real view, - a green spot lost in a blinding light, this 400
years-old mesquite, stands in absolute loneliness, defying the centuries.


[Click to see more pics].
The mesquite tree (Prosopis velutina) belongs to the large family of the 'Fabaceae' and fits
to extreme weather conditions, however this one has become a legend and truly deserves
the name 'Tree of Life', Shajarat-al-Hayat in Arabic.
Despite sand storms, grazing animals, high heat... and disrespectful behavior of visitors,
the tree is alive and well thanks to its strong roots that sink deep into the ground, only...
... there is no known source in the vicinity.

One natural wonder, one lonely tree
Life is powerful, and sometimes magic.
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LINKS:
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Fabaceae/Fabaceae.html
http://www.gisp.org/casestudies/showcasestudy.asp?id=64&MyMenuItem=casestudies&worldmap=&country=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life,_Bahrain
http://bahraindiscovery.com/tree_of_life.html
http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/bahrain/sightseeing-in-bahrain/tree-of-life-in-bahrain.html

Bahrain 3 - Absolute Oil

Bahrain was the first Persian Gulf country to explore and discover oil.

Click to see the Bahrain petroleum fields slideshow.
[Nov. 18/2011].

The Sakhir Oil Museum, built and officially opened in 1992, houses old drilling equipment,
samples of rocks found underground, topographical maps and some information about the
first concessions and the companies that have operated in the since 1931.

[The Bahrain Petroleum Field].



[G@ttoGiallo]

Bahrain 2 - Al Jasrah House

A 'Pearl' from de Persian gulf is offered to you to visit,
you just have to click, it's a slideshow...
Yours faithful G@tto.
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[Any reference to the 'Pearl', which has disappeared, is not due to chance].