Muharraq
Muharraq is a historic city serving as the capital of Muharraq Governorate in Bahrain, situated on Muharraq Island in the Persian Gulf. It functioned as Bahrain's capital until 1932, when Manama assumed that role amid the rise of oil wealth and urban shifts.[1] The Muharraq Governorate has a population of 293,462 as of 2024, reflecting its dense urban character with over 3,900 people per square kilometer.[2] Historically, Muharraq gained prominence in the 19th century as a global center for the pearling industry, which drove Bahrain's economy through natural oyster harvesting and trade until the advent of cultured pearls in the 1930s led to its decline.[3] This legacy is preserved in the UNESCO World Heritage site "Pearling, Testimony of an Island Economy," encompassing 17 buildings in Muharraq, offshore oyster beds, seashore areas, and a seafront fort that illustrate the island's pearling-based societal and economic structure.[4] The city also hosts Bahrain International Airport, established in 1927 as the oldest international airport in the Persian Gulf, which has played a pivotal role in regional aviation since the first commercial flight in 1932.[5] Recent revitalization efforts have focused on conserving historic properties and rehabilitating urban pathways, such as the 3.5-kilometer Pearling Path, to sustain cultural heritage amid modernization.[6]