Country Reports
Bahrain
Some Facts Bahrain | 
Useful links Some Facts Bahrain
|
Country name |
Kingdom of Bahrain |
|
Government type |
Constitutional monarchy |
|
Administrative divisions |
5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat. (Each governorate is administered by an appointed governor) |
|
Capital |
Manama |
|
Independence Day |
15 August 1971 (from UK) |
|
National holiday |
National Day 16 December (1971). (15 August 1971; date of independence from the UK 16 December 1971; date of independence from British protection) |
|
Area |
717 sq km (277 sq miles) |
|
Location |
Middle East. Archipelago in the Persian Gulf. Strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean |
|
Land Borders |
0 |
|
Coastline |
161 km |
|
Population |
766,000 (UN, 2008) |
|
Nationality |
Bahraini(s) |
|
Languages |
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu |
|
Ethnic groups |
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini (est 2001) |
|
Major religion |
Islam |
|
Highest peak |
Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m |
|
Climate |
Arid climate; hot and humid summers; mild and pleasant winters |
|
Time zone |
UTC+3 |
|
Currency |
1 Bahraini dinar (BHD) = 1,000 fils |
|
Telephone |
+973 |
|
Internet domain |
.bh |
|
GNI per capita |
US $19,350 (World Bank, 2007) |
|
Natural resources |
Oil, natural gas, fish, pearls |
|
Agriculture products: |
Fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; fish, shrimps |
|
Industries |
Petroleum, petroleum products, aluminium, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism |