Manama is Bahrain's largest city with a population of approximately 155,000, roughly a quarter of country's entire population. Manama was mentioned in Islamic chronicles at least as far back as 1345. It was conquered by the Portuguese in 1521 and then by the Persians in 1602. I t has been held, with brief interruptions, by the ruling Al-Khalifa dynasty since 1783. Manama was declared a free port in 1958, and in 1971 became the capital of independent Bahrain. The economic base for Manama is financial services, with over two hundred financial institutions and banks based in the Diplomatic Area. There is also a large retail sector in the shopping malls around Seef, while the centre of Manama is dominated by small workshops and traders. Manama is served by Bahrain International Airport on the nearby island of Al Muharraq, to which it is connected with a causeway. Manama also is home to the American Mission Hospital, founded in 1893.

Manama Souq  is a bustling marketplace with numerous traditional as well as modern shops. The souq (marketplace) is located in the heart of the city, near Bab Al Bahrain. The souq stretches from Bab al Bahrain road on the east side, Al Khalifa Road on the north, Lulu Road on the west and Sh. Abdulla Road on the east. One can see and buy all kinds of spices, fabrics, kaftans, thobes, handicrafts, souvenirs, dry fruits, nuts, and any other thing one can imagine. The Gold Souk is also famous in the region and all the gold sold there is hallmarked and pure. The only items sold there are 18K and 21K gold. 10K and 14K are not usually acceptable as 'gold' jewelry. The Bahraini pearls are the only natural pearls in the world today and as such are one of a kind. They are not cultured but natural. The Seef District lies several kilometres to the west, where five very modern shoppinng centers are situated. There is a 22 screen cinema in Seef Mall, the kingdom's most popular, as well as the nearby Dana Malls, which also boasts a cinema complex as well as luxury shopping, and the Geant Hyper Market is situated in the Bahrain Mall.

Source: www.fivb.org/

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