Sitra (Arabic: سترة or سِتْرَة,[1]As-Sitra),[2] also known as Sitrah[3] (Arabic: Jazīrat Sitrah)[4] or Sitra Island (Arabic: Jazīrat as-Sitra),[5] is an island in Bahrain, situated approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the capital, Manama, on Bahrain Island.
History
The island of Sitra has witnessed various conflicts. One notable conflict occurred in 1782 between the local populace and a group of Al Khalifa individuals who arrived in Sitra from Zubara seeking supplies. This confrontation resulted in casualties on both sides.[6]
During the Arab Spring in Bahrain, Sitra played a prominent role as a site of significant protests. The island became a focal point for demonstrations, with numerous citizens gathering to express their grievances. The events during this period led to widespread unrest, injuries, and fatalities among the protesters, marking a critical chapter in the island's contemporary history.
Geography
Situated to the east of Bahrain Island in the Persian Gulf, Sitra is positioned south of Manama and Nabih Saleh. Its western coastline serves as the boundary for Tubli Bay. Historically, the island was characterized by date palmgroves and agricultural land with several freshwater springs. However, rapid urbanization and development have significantly transformed the island's landscape.
Demography
Most of the inhabitants of the island live in nine historic villages:
Halat Um al-Baidh (the location of the yacht club and Al Bandar resort)
Al Hamriya
There is a massive land reclamation project called East Sitra which increased the island size by 50% and has a new city built on it.[7][8]
Economy
The island's economy used to be based on agriculture and fishing.
The northern section of the island has been turned into an industrial area. Bapco oil storage reservoirs are located in the south. Sitra is also the terminus of the 42-km Dhahran-Sitra natural gaspipeline, which connects it to Dahran in Saudi Arabia.[9]
Several car and furniture showrooms also make up the new development on the island.
The Sitra Club is a cultural and sports club for the island.
Today Sitra handles Bahrain's entire petroleum production. It is the location of Port of Sitra. It is also the export center for the oil fields in northeastern Saudi Arabia.
[10]
The southern part of the island belongs to Southern Governorate and the northern part to Capital Governorate.
Between 1990 and 2013 it was part of Central Governorate of Bahrain, but that is now dissolved.
Between 1920 and 1990 it was part of Sitra Municipality.
Sitra Municipality
This was a municipality in Bahrain before they were re-organized as Governorates. The Sitra Municipality consisted of the island of Sitra and three villages close to it on the main island of Bahrain: Ma'ameer, Eker and Nuwaidrat.[11]
