Geography Bahrain is low lying. Its top is only 137 metres above sea level, but seems higher due to the flatness of the surrounding plain. Land use varies greatly, from extensive urban development and diligently cultivated areas in the north, to sandy wastes spreading south, east and west from Jebel Dukhan. Here true desert conditions exist with only sparse tough desert plants growing among the barren limestone rimrock and varying depth of sands. Horticulture and agriculture flourishes in the north, limited only by limitations on fresh water supplies from artesian wells or de-salination plants.
Gardens grow dates, almonds, pomegranates, figs, citrus fruit, and a wide range of vegetables.
Another noticeable feature of the Bahrain landscape is the immense quantity of man-made stony tumuli or burial mounds. Climate The Bahrain climate can be generally described as cool winters with sparse rainfall and hot summers with high humidity. The winter season from December to February is influenced by low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean, which travel East into the Gulf and cause periods of disturbed weather. These disturbances are accompanied by occasional rainfall, which averages approximately 74 mm per annum. January is usually the coolest month when lowest temperatures are experienced, and prevailing winds are North-Westerly.