Most Bahrainis live in apartments or houses in towns on the northern part of the largest island, Bahrain. Since wood is scarce, they build homes of cement and lime brick. These houses are usually tall with wind towers to catch the breeze. Villagers, on the other hand, usually live in thatched huts. Farmers irrigate vegetables and melons from these springs.
Families usually have one main meal daily, including many fresh vegetables, lamb, fish, and rice.
Bahrainis enjoy a relatively high standard of living due to oil revenues. The government provides free education, medical care and a superior electrical system. Most households have televisions, radios, and telephones. A causeway links several of the islands to Saudi Arabia. The Bahraini people are more cosmopolitan than other Arabs because Bahrain has been a trade center and port for centuries.