Muharraq Island

Muharraq Island (جزيرة المحرق), formerly known as Moharek, is the second largest island in the archipelago of Bahrain after Bahrain Island. It lies 4 km east of the capital, Manama, on Bahrain Island.

History
It is named after Muharraq City, the former capital of Bahrain. The Al Khalifa dynasty settled there in the nineteenth century and resided there until 1923. The island dominated trade, fishing and especially pearls industries in Bahrain. The Pearl center was made a UNESCO world heritage site in 2012. In recent years, north of Muharraq Island have a major reclamation of some artificial islands like Amwaj Islands. The south of the island, at Hidd district, the new Bahrain International Investment Park of the free zone (BIIP) was built. And in the far south, new Khalifa bin Salman harbor, which opened in 2009.

Demography
There are several towns and villages located on the Island, including:
 * Al Muharraq
 * Al Dair
 * Arad, formerly a separate island of its own
 * Busaiteen
 * Hidd
 * Galali
 * Halat Bu Maher
 * Samaheej

Administration
The island belongs to Muharraq Governorate.

Transportation
The island has the 4000 m Bahrain International Airport that follows the long east–west axis. The island has the 900 m Muharraq Airfield (ICAO code:none) adjacent to Bahrain International Airport. There are three causeways connecting Muharraq Island with Manama on Bahrain Island:
 * Shaikh Hamad Bridge: From Muharraq City to Diplomatic Area
 * Shaikh Isa bin Salman Causeway: From Muharraq City/Busaiteen to Diplomatic Area
 * Shaikh Khalifa Bridge: From Hidd to Juffair