The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island nation located in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia. It has been an independent country since 1971 when it declared its independence from the United Kingdom. The abbreviation for Bahrain is BHR which stands for Bahraini Republic. This abbreviation was adopted in 1971 when Bahrain became an independent nation. BHR is an acronym for both English and Arabic words which are used to refer to Bahrain in different contexts. In English it stands for Bahraini Republic while in Arabic it stands for al-Jumhuriyah al-Bahrayniya or “the Republic of Bahrain”. The English version was adopted as part of a new national identity which was developed after independence from the United Kingdom. Bahrain also has its own flag which features three horizontal stripes of equal width – white on the top, red in the middle and white on the bottom – with a serrated triangle representing unity at its center. Additionally, there are two national symbols: a palm tree representing growth; and a white dove representing peace. Both symbols feature prominently on coins throughout Bahrain as well as on official documents such as passports and visas. See 800zipcodes for Bahrain Geography and Population. In Bahrain, there are several major newspapers that are widely read and respected. The most popular newspaper is Al-Ayam, which was established in 1958 and is printed in Arabic language. It is known for its comprehensive coverage of national and international news, as well as its political commentary. The daily also features investigative pieces, editorials, opinion columns and interviews with prominent figures in the country. Another popular newspaper is Al-Wasat (The Middle), which was established in 2002 and is printed in both Arabic and English languages. It focuses on local politics, economy, culture and sports. Then there’s Al-Watan (The Nation), an Bahrain-based daily printed in Arabic language that focuses on social issues such as health care, education, justice system and human rights abuses. Finally, there’s Akhbar al Khaleej (Gulf News), another Bahrain-based daily that features investigative reports on politics and business across the country. These four newspapers are the most widely read publications in Bahrain today, providing readers with vital information about their country’s current affairs. Check simplyyellowpages for other media in the country of Bahrain.