Tree of Life, Bahrain

A solitary mesquite tree approximately 400 years old growing in an otherwise barren area of desert in southern Bahrain, approximately two kilometres from the nearest water source. The tree's survival in entirely waterless surroundings has generated sustained interest; its root system is thought to access a deep ancient aquifer or utilise moisture from the subsoil in ways not fully documented. The tree has been a pilgrimage site and place of curiosity for several centuries and is one of Bahrain's most visited natural landmarks.