# Manama

> capital of Bahrain

**Wikidata**: [Q3882](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3882)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manama)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/manama

## Summary
Manama is the capital city of Bahrain and is classified as a big city and large human settlement. Established in 1345, it is located in the Capital Governorate on the coast of the Persian Gulf. As of 2012, the city had a population of 297,502 and serves as a significant hub for trade and multiculturalism, designated as a Tentative World Heritage Site.

## Key Facts
*   **Classification:** Capital city, big city, and large human settlement.
*   **Location:** Situated in the Capital Governorate, Bahrain, bordering the Persian Gulf.
*   **Coordinates:** 26.216667° N, 50.583333° E.
*   **Area:** 30 square kilometres.
*   **Population:**
    *   2012: 297,502 (Preferred value)
    *   2001: 143,035 (Census)
    *   1991: 127,578 (Census)
    *   1981: 115,054 (Census)
*   **Inception:** 1345.
*   **Heritage Status:** Tentative World Heritage Site (designated July 20, 2018) under the name "Manama, City of Trade, Multiculturalism and Religious Coexistence"; criteria (ii) and (iii).
*   **Demonym:** Manaméen (masculine singular), Manaméenne (feminine singular), Manamano.
*   **Sovereignty:** Currently part of Bahrain; historically part of the Portuguese Empire (1521–1602).
*   **Official Website:** https://www.capital.gov.bh (Arabic/English).

## FAQs
**What is the historical significance of Manama?**
Manama was founded in 1345 and was under the rule of the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602. It has been described by historical sources such as the Great Soviet Encyclopedia and Meyers Konversations-Lexikon.

**What are the demographic details of the city?**
The city covers an area of 30 square kilometres. Its population has grown significantly over recent decades, rising from 115,054 in 1981 to 297,502 in 2012. Residents are referred to using demonyms such as Manaméen or Manamano.

**Where is Manama located geographically?**
Manama is located in the Persian Gulf at coordinates 26.216667° N, 50.583333° E. It serves as the administrative center of the Capital Governorate in Bahrain.

**Which cities are twinned with Manama?**
Manama maintains town twinning relationships with several international cities, including Karachi, Doha, Tunis (since 1999), Ankara, Saint Petersburg, Kuwait City, Tripoli (since 1977), Chicago (since 2004), and Chiang Mai.

## Why It Matters
Manama serves as the political and economic capital of Bahrain, playing a pivotal role in the region's governance and trade. Its designation as a Tentative World Heritage Site highlights its global importance as a center of trade, multiculturalism, and religious coexistence. The city's sustained population growth and extensive international connectivity—evidenced by its twinning agreements with major cities like Chicago, Ankara, and Saint Petersburg—underscore its relevance as a global node. Furthermore, its historical depth, dating back to the 14th century and including periods of colonial rule, offers significant cultural and historical value.

## Notable For
*   **Tentative World Heritage Site:** Recognized for its role in trade and multiculturalism ("Manama, City of Trade, Multiculturalism and Religious Coexistence").
*   **Global Connectivity:** Twinned with nine major cities across four continents, including Chicago, Tunis, and Ankara.
*   **Linguistic Diversity:** Wikipedia articles about the city exist in over 180 languages, including Acehnese, Arabic, Zulu, and various Chinese dialects.
*   **Historical Depth:** One of the older major settlements in the region with a recorded inception date of 1345.
*   **Digital Presence:** Official government website and extensive cataloging in global libraries (Library of Congress, BNF, National Library of Israel).

## Body

### Geography and Demographics
Manama is geographically positioned at 26.216667° N, 50.583333° E within the Capital Governorate. The city spans a total area of 30 square kilometres. It is situated on the western shore of the Persian Gulf.

Demographic records show a clear trend of population growth over three decades. The population was recorded as 115,054 in the 1981 census, increasing to 127,578 by 1991. By the 2001 census, the population had reached 143,035. The most recent preferred data point from 2012 lists the population at 297,502. The terms used to describe male residents include "Manaméen" and "Manamano," while female residents are described as "Manaméenne."

### History and Sovereignty
The city's founding is recorded as 1345. Historically, Manama fell under the sovereignty of the Portuguese Empire starting in 1521 and ending in 1602. In the modern era, it is the capital of Bahrain. The city is documented in major historical encyclopedic works, including the Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947), Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (4th edition, 1885–1890), and the Encyclopædia Britannica.

### Cultural Heritage
In 2018, Manama was submitted to the World Heritage Tentative List under the title "Manama, City of Trade, Multiculturalism and Religious Coexistence." The nomination is based on criteria (ii) and (iii) regarding its cultural value. It holds the tentative list ID 6354.

### International Relations
Manama participates in international town twinning programs. Its official sister cities include:
*   **Tunis:** Twinned since 1999.
*   **Tripoli:** Twinned since 1977.
*   **Chicago:** Twinned since 2004.
*   **Other Partners:** Karachi, Doha, Ankara, Saint Petersburg, Kuwait City, and Chiang Mai.

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
Manama is cataloged extensively across global databases and academic institutions.
*   **Standard IDs:** VIAF ID 147299333, Library of Congress Authority ID n79118922, GND ID 4100079-1.
*   **Geographical Codes:** UN/LOCODE BHAMH, GeoNames ID 290340, FIPS 10-4 code BA02.
*   **Web Presence:** The official website is `https://www.capital.gov.bh`. It has a Google Knowledge Graph ID `/g/11g8kr9dq3` and a Quora topic "Manama-Bahrain".
*   **Library Archives:** Bibliothèque nationale de France ID 11963822b, National Library of Spain ID XX6076846, National Library of Israel ID 987007552524005171.
*   **Media:** The city maintains a Commons Gallery and Category on Wikimedia, and its page banner features the Manama Skyline. A timelapse video of the city is available via Google Timelapse.

### Associated Categories and Classifications
The entity is classified under various categories for organizational purposes:
*   **Topics:** Category:Manama.
*   **People:** Category:Births in Manama, Category:Deaths in Manama, Category:People from Manama.
*   **Views:** Category:Views of Manama.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. FIPS 10-4
6. MusicBrainz
7. [Bahrain in Perspective An Orientation Guide](https://fieldsupport.dliflc.edu/products/cip/bahrain/bahrain.pdf)
8. [Bahrain. Cities & Towns. Citypopulation.de](https://www.citypopulation.de/en/bahrain/cities/?cityid=11713)
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. French order of 4 Nov. 1993 about names of states and capitals
11. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
12. GeoNames
13. BBC Things
14. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)