Bahrain - Country Overview
Bahrain - Country Overview Last updated on Wednesday 14th April 2010
Capital
- Manama
Population
- 634,137 (estimation of July 2000, including 28,424 foreigners)
Population density
- 909 per sq. km
Distribution
- 81% urban, 19% rural
Land area
- 678 sq. km (262 sq.miles)
Elevations
- Lowest -- sea level
- Highest -- 135m (443ft)
Official language
- Arabic
Major religion
- Islam
Literacy
- 85% (1995), male 89% (1995), female 79% (1995)
Life expectancy
- Total population: 72.98 years (estimation of 2000)
- Male: 70.58 years (estimation of 2000)
- Female: 75.45 years (estimation of 2000)
Infant mortality
- 20.48 deaths/1,000 live births (estimation of 2000)
GDP
- $8.2 billion (estimation of 1997)
GDP composition by sector:
- Agriculture: 1%
- Industry: 46%
- Services: 53%
Foreign trade (1989)
- Exports: $3.3 billion (1998)
- Exports - commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 61%, aluminum 7%
- Exports partners: India 18%, Japan 11%, Saudi Arabia 8%, South Korea 7%, UAE 5% (1997)
- Imports: $3.5 billion (1998)
- Imports commodities: non-oil 59%, crude oil 41%
- Imports partners: Saudi Arabia 45%, US 10%, UK 6%, Japan 5%, Germany 4% (1997)
Currency
-
Bahrain dinar (BD)
1 Bahrain dinar = 1000 fils
$1 = 377 fils
Government
- Monarchy
Head of state
- Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman al-Khalifa, Emir and Prime Minister
Legislature
The state's unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and the Cabinet assumed legislative powers; an appointed Advisory Council was established 16 December 1992
Subdivisions
12 municipalities: Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah
All municipalities administered from Manama
Railroads
None
Roads (1998)
Highways:
Total: 3,164 km
Paved: 2,433 km
Unpaved: 731 km (1998 est.)
There is a paved causeway connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia
Ports and harbours
Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Major airfields
- Airports: 3 (1999)
-
Airports - with paved runways:
Total: 2
Over 3,047 m: 2 (1999) -
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999)
Business hours
Friday is the weekly day of rest. Many businesses close early on Thursday. The 36-hour week with Thursday and Friday as weekend applies to all branches of the Civil Service and schools.
- Government offices: 07.00-14.15 Sat to Tues.; 07.00-14.00 Wed
- Commercial organizations: 07.00-12.00 then 14.30-17.30 Sat to Thurs.
- Shops: 08.00-12.30 then 15.30-18.30 Sat to Thurs.
- Banks: 07.30-12.00 Sat to Wed, then 15.30-17.30 (some banks); 07.30-11.00 Thurs.
Weights and measures
- Metric
Electricity
- 220 volts, 50 cycles, AC throughout Bahrain, except Awali which has 110 volts, 60 cycles
International dialing code
+973
Time zone
GMT + 3 hours