What to expect before moving to Bahrain Just off the eastern coast of the Arabian peninsula sits the Pearl of the Arab World, the Bahrain archipelago. This small island nation is filled with unique culture and rich history dating all the way back to the prehistoric Dilmun civilization. Bahrain gained its independence from British rule in 1971, and is now governed by a hereditary constitutional monarchy, and its wealth stems mostly from petroleum production and refinement. The climate in Bahrain can be extreme, reaching up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 C) in the summer. That said, the rest of the year is milder, with temperatures in the winter typically not dropping below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 C). Similar to many other Arab countries, Bahrain’s culture and daily flow of life is heavily influenced by Islam. Friday is considered the holy day, when many shops and restaurants are closed in observance, and the work week runs from Sunday to Thursday. Public calls to prayer e