Bahrain Geography, History, Culture, and Economy

Bahrain is a small country located in the Persian Gulf. It is considered a part of the Middle East and is an archipelago made up of 33 islands. The largest island of Bahrain is Bahrain Island and as such, it is where most of the countrys population and economy are based. Like many other Middle Eastern nations, Bahrain has recently been in the news due to increasing social unrest and violent anti-government protests. Fast Facts: Bahrain Official Name: Kingdom of BahrainCapital: ManamaPopulation: 1,442,659  (2018)Official Language: ArabicCurrency: Bahraini dinars (BHD)Form of Government: Constitutional monarchyClimate: Arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summersTotal Area: 293 square miles (760 square kilometers)Highest Point: Jebal ad Dukhan at 443 feet (135 meters)Lowest Point: Persian Gulf at 0 feet (0 meters)   History of Bahrain Bahrain has a long history that dates back at least 5,000 years, at which time the region served as a trading center between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. The civilization living in Bahrain at that time was the Dilmun civilization, however, when trade with India declined around 2000 BCE, so too did the civilization. In 600 BCE, the region became a part of the Babylonian Empire. According to the U.S. Department of State, little is known about Bahrains history from this time until the arrival of Alexander the Great  in the fourth century BCE. During its early years, Bahrain was known as Tylos until the seventh century when it became an Islamic nation. Bahrain was then controlled by various forces until 1783 when the Al Khalifa family took control of the region from Persia. In the 1830s, Bahrain became a British Protectorate after the Al Khalifa family signed a treaty with the United Kingdom which guaranteed British protection in the event of a military conflict with Ottoman Turkey. In 1935, Britain established its main military base in the Persian Gulf in Bahrain, but Britain announced in 1968 the end of the treaty with Bahrain and other Persian Gulf sheikdoms. As a result, Bahrain joined the eight other sheikdoms to form a union of Arab emirates. However, by 1971, they had not officially unified and Bahrain declared itself independent on August 15, 1971. In 1973, Bahrain elected its first parliament and drafted a constitution, but in 1975 the parliament was broken up when it tried to remove power from the Al Khalifa family, which still forms the executive branch of Bahrains government. In the 1990s, Bahrain experienced some political instability and violence from the Shia majority and as a result, the government cabinet underwent some changes. These changes initially ended the violence but in 1996, several hotels and restaurants were bombed and the country has been unstable off and on since then. Government of Bahrain Today, Bahrains government is considered a constitutional monarchy; it has a chief of state (the countrys king) and a prime minister for its executive branch. It also has a bicameral legislature made up of the Consultative Council and the Council of Representatives. Bahrains judicial branch consists of its High Civil Appeals Court. The country is divided into five governorates (Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, and Wasat) that is administered by an appointed governor. Economics and Land Use in Bahrain Bahrain has a diversified economy with many multinational firms. A large part of Bahrains economy depends on oil and petroleum production, however. Other industries in Bahrain include aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizer production, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, and tourism. Agriculture only represents about 1% of Bahrains economy, but the main products are fruit, vegetables, poultry, dairy products, shrimp, and fish. Geography and Climate of Bahrain Bahrain is located in the Middle Easts Persian Gulf to the east of Saudi Arabia. It is a small nation with a total area of just 293 square miles (760 sq km) spread out over many different islands. Bahrain has a relatively flat topography consisting of a desert plain. The central part of Bahrains main island has a low elevation escarpment and the highest point in the country is Jabal ad Dukhan at 443 feet (135 m). The climate of Bahrain is arid and as such it has mild winters and very hot, humid summers. The countrys capital and largest city, Manama, has an average January low temperature of 57 degrees (14ËšC) and an average August high temperature of 100 degrees (38ËšC).​ Sources Central Intelligence Agency. Bahrain. CIA World Factbook.Infoplease.com. Bahrain: History, Geography, Government, and Culture.United States Department of State. Bahrain.

The Invention Of The First American History - 1157 Words

When you think of â€Å"the First American†, who do you think of? Do you think of a pilgrim or a Native American? Do you think of Benjamin Franklin? Probably not, but he has been graciously granted with this very title. Franklin is a large part of American history. A renowned polymath, he held many occupations including; an author, printer, politician, scientist, inventor, civic activist and more! All throughout history there have been a plethora of inspirational, hardworking, intelligent, life-changing personages, one of them being Benjamin Franklin. He changed not only the world, but America and its history with his discoveries, knowledge, and beneficial insights. One of the most well known scientific discoveries Ben Franklin can be credited†¦show more content†¦Franklin proved that lighting was electricity and his discovery led to our world, starting with America, being more scientifically informed. One of the most courageous acts of mankind in this world is fire f ighting. Not many people may know this, but Benjamin Franklin was the founding father of firefighting. â€Å"In 1736, Franklin proposed volunteer fire companies that would gather men quickly to extinguish a blaze.† (Gausted 35) After a huge Philadelphia fire, Franklin founded Philadelphia’s first fire company – the Union Fire Company, the very first fire department. Franklin stated â€Å"I sought to explain what caused them and how one could prevent such fires in the future† (McCormick 151) Franklin was very interested in learning more about the situation and was concerned about the health and safety of everyone affected. Without his idea it would have been long before actual fire companies were started. Before there were fireplaces, there were fire places, where people would simply huddle together around a fire in their homes for warmth. Then came Benjamin Franklin and invented the metal lined fireplace. â€Å"Franklin had a spurred interest in improvin g heating systems. At first people didn’t have chimneys, they simply made a fire and sat around it. It did people little good to huddle by a fire, he argued, if currents of cold air then buffeted them. Many colds are caught that way. Franklin lectured it would be safer to sit in the open street.†

Building A Mystery Song Analysis Essay Example For Students

Building A Mystery Song Analysis Essay It is apparent that female music in Canada is a growing industry, and plays a very controversial role in Canadian society. Canada is a land of many ethnic backgrounds and an extremely diverse culture, one of the best ways to express culture is through music. Sarah McLachlan has enjoyed worldwide success with the album Surfacing, and more recently Mirrorball. The album titled Surfacing was released in 1997 and features a song called Building a Mystery. Building a Mystery clearly exemplifies the incorporation of many important musical elements to create a widely accepted song. In the application of a few distinct components, the listener can gain a broader understanding of Building a Mystery. The following essay will explore the use of structure, lyrics, instrumentation and the vocal quality of Sara McLachlans Building a Mystery. Female rock singers made a deep impact as they definitively entered the rock scene in the nineties and into the millenium as independent singer-songwriters. Many of their songs are built around repetitive cadences like this one. At first glance these songs seem rather simple and repetitive. Of course repetition is an important element of rock music. It cannot be denied that repetition gives rock songs much of their compelling character. However, as we have discussed in lecture, a lot of variation can be made with the help of just a few chords. Being not so repetitive after all, Building a Mystery gives good proof of that. There is a lot going on within the confined space of this song. The song starts with a short intro, followed by a first verse and next a short bridge and a break. Then we hear the second verse coupled to a long bridge, followed by the refrain. Next theres a third verse, again coupled to a long bridge and the refrain. A guitar solo, twice the refrain and an out to finish the track. The verses, the break and the refrains are all built upon an identical harmonic structure. So the main pattern of the song is repeated at least seven times. The lyrics in Building a Mystery are very controversial by nature and lead into deep insight through the use of metaphors. The song features three verses and a chorus, which is repeated many times throughout. McLachlan seems to use short insightful phrases to allow the listener to come to their own conclusions as to what she is illustrating. In the lyrics a woman voices her complaints about her lover. The text not only expresses a complaint. However, at the same time it is an analysis of the reason why she finds herself attracted to him. She describes him as a man who is hiding his inner self behind a careful constructed image, letting nobody look at his emotions deep down inside. The short bridge is formulated as some sort of conclusion following upon the description. All this man is doing, is aimed at the same thing: Building a Mystery. The way it is sung, makes it sound like a conclusion too. McLachlans lover is constructing his identity to give an impression of mysteriousness to the outside world. This line is followed by a break, which takes us back to the now familiar chord pattern. A definite conclusion is not voiced, but keeps hanging in the air. For obvious reasons, the instrumentation within a musical work is very important. This composition includes a wide variety of musical instruments however, the emphasis is placed on McLachlans voice. The bass, drums, background vocals, electric and acoustic guitars all work towards providing outstanding support for McLachlans voice. The use of the backups and the arrangement of the supporting instruments plays an integral role in the interpretation of this piece. The instrumental section prior to the entrance of McLachlans voice allows the listener to gain a strong sense of rhythm and melody. The constant theme involving the acoustic and electric guitars maintains the melody and continues through the extent of the piece. The primary guitar does this by playing one rhythm meanwhile the secondary guitar enters and displays the second element of the melody. .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .postImageUrl , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:hover , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:visited , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:active { border:0!important; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:active , .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua83cf2b414cae9417dd7fcef7650c70d:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Catherine the Great of all Russia Essay Following this, the bass is established to give a beat that also is maintained throughout the song. .

The History of Thanksgiving Essay Example For Students

The History of Thanksgiving Essay THANKSGIVING The purpose of Thanksgiving in Canada is different from the Americans. But even though the reasons for giving thanks are different, many of the customs are the same. Canadian Thanksgiving was originally started to give thanks to God for a bountiful harvest. This was when there were lots of farmers that grew crops. Now we give thanks for everything we appreciate. Some farming families still give thanks for a good crop. Harvest celebrations have been around a long time. Ever since the very first harvest, about 2000 years ago, people have given thanks for a prosperous bounty. The first formal Thanksgiving was in the year 1578. A man named Martin Frobisher had given thanks for surviving his journey from England. He also gave thanks for a place that is now called Newfoundland. The celebration at Thanksgiving was also brought to Nova Scotia when Americans began to settle there. At the same time French settlers were arriving and were also having feasts of thanks. In 1879, Canadian parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. The date of Thanksgiving has changed several times until January 31st, 1957, when parliament proclaimed that the second Monday in October be a day of general Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed. A big part of Thanksgiving is a Thanksgiving feast. The feast usually consists of potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, peas, gravy, stuffing, salads, buns and lots of other great food. We will write a custom essay on The History of Thanksgiving specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The main part of the feast is usually the turkey. Other families might have ham, roast beef, duck or chicken. The dessert that is most likely to follow the feast is pumpkin pie. Other people may choose different desserts and food depending on their customs and beliefs for which they choose to give thanks. Lets not forget the biggest and most important reason for this holiday giving THANKS! People usually give thanks for everything they have. Their jobs, health, families or just being alive are just a few of the things that people give thanks for. Thanksgiving is a time when people can create their own customs and traditions because everyone is thankful for different things. The cornucopia has become a traditional symbol of this holiday because it is commonly shown filled with grain, vegetables and fruit, the staple food that settlers would give thanks for. During Thanksgiving, my family spends time together and we have fun. We go to places and give thanks to God for having each other in our lives. We give thanks for our health, our home, our food and especially each other. My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the pumpkin pie after a big turkey dinner with all the fixings. Thanksgiving is the perfect time for me to appreciate all that I have. My family farms so we always give thanks for a good harvest. Where we come from the community celebrates Thanksgiving all together with a tradition call Fowl Supper. The entire community enjoys food prepared by the local families in the basement of the local church. To those people who created this wonderful holiday.. Thank-you for Thanksgiving. .