from
CIA World Factbook 2006
Bahrain
Introduction
Background: In 1782, the Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from
the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it
entered into a series of treaties with the UK during
the 19th century that made Bahrain a British
protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence
in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location
among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a
delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its
larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,
Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining
and has transformed itself into an international
banking center. Sheikh HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, who
came to power in 1999, has pushed economic and
political reforms and has worked to improve relations
with the Shia community. In February 2001, Bahraini
voters approved a referendum on the National Action
Charter - the centerpiece of Sheikh HAMAD's political
liberalization program. In February 2002, Sheikh HAMAD
pronounced Bahrain a constitutional monarchy and
changed his status from amir to king. In October 2002,
Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of
Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the
National Assembly.
Geography
Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of
Saudi Arabia
Geographic 26 00 N, 50 33 E
coordinates:
Map Middle East
references:
Area: total: 665 sq km
land: 665 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
comparative:
Land 0 km
boundaries:
Coastline: 161 km
Maritime territorial sea: 12 nm
claims: contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be
determined
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain: mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central
escarpment
Elevation lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
extremes: highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish,
resources: pearls
Land use: arable land: 2.82%
permanent crops: 5.63%
other: 91.55% (2005)
Irrigated 40 sq km (2003)
land:
Natural periodic droughts; dust storms
hazards:
Environment - desertification resulting from the degradation of
current limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust
issues: storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines,
coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil
spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil
refineries, and distribution stations; lack of
freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the
only sources for all water needs
Environment - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change,
international Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea,
agreements: Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected
agreements
Geography - close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources;
note: strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much
of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach
open ocean
People
Population: 698,585
note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.4% (male 96,567/female 94,650)
15-64 years: 69.1% (male 280,272/female 202,451)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 12,753/female 11,892)
(2006 est.)
Median age: total: 29.4 years
male: 32.4 years
female: 25.8 years (2006 est.)
Population 1.45% (2006 est.)
growth rate:
Birth rate: 17.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate: 4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration 0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
rate:
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.38 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.07 male(s)/female
total population: 1.26 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant total: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births
mortality male: 19.65 deaths/1,000 live births
rate: female: 13.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life total population: 74.45 years
expectancy at male: 71.97 years
birth: female: 77 years (2006 est.)
Total 2.6 children born/woman (2006 est.)
fertility
rate:
HIV/AIDS - 0.2% (2001 est.)
adult
prevalence
rate:
HIV/AIDS - less than 600 (2003 est.)
people living
with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS - less than 200 (2003 est.)
deaths:
Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups: Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
Religions: Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other
9.8% (2001 census)
Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 89.1%
male: 91.9%
female: 85% (2003 est.)
Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
former: Dilmun
Government constitutional hereditary monarchy
type:
Capital: name: Manama
geographic coordinates: 26 13 N, 50 35 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC
during Standard Time)
Administrative 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq,
divisions: Shamaliyah, Wasat
note: each governorate administered by an appointed
governor
Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK)
National National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971
holiday: is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December
1971 is the date of independence from British
protection
Constitution: new constitution 14 February 2002
Legal system: based on Islamic law and English common law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6
branch: March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin
Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)
head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman
al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers
ABDALLAH bin Khalid al-Khalifa, ALI bin Khalifa bin
Salman al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak al-Khalifa
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime
minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40
branch: members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies
(40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October
2002 (next election to be held in September 2006)
election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote
by party - NA; seats by party - Sunni Islamists 12,
Shia grouping 7, other groupings and independents 21
note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral
National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National
Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23
December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001;
first legislative session of Parliament held on 25
December 2002
Judicial High Civil Appeals Court
branch:
Political political parties prohibited but political societies
parties and were legalized per a July 2005 law
leaders:
Political Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97
pressure and have recently engaged in protests and marches,
groups and demanding that more power be vested in the elected
leaders: Council of Representatives and that the government do
more to decrease unemployment; several small,
clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups
are active
International ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
organization ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO,
participation: ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA,
NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Muhammad
representation al-BALUSHI
in the US: chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC
20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic chief of mission: Ambassador William T. MONROE
representation embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli
from the US: Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO
AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy,
Box 26431, Manama
telephone: [973] 1724-2700
FAX: [973] 1727-0547
Flag red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf
description: states, with a white serrated band (five white points)
on the hoist side; the five points represent the five
pillars of Islam
Economy
Economy - Petroleum production and refining account for about 60%
overview: of Bahrain's export receipts, 60% of government
revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed
communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home
to numerous multinational firms with business in the
Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum
products made from refining imported crude.
Construction proceeds on several major industrial
projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and
the depletion of oil and underground water resources
are major long-term economic problems. In 2005 Bahrain
and the US ratified a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the
first FTA between the US and a Gulf state.
GDP $15.9 billion (2005 est.)
(purchasing
power parity):
GDP (official $11.01 billion (2005 est.)
exchange
rate):
GDP - real 5.9% (2005 est.)
growth rate:
GDP - per $23,100 (2005 est.)
capita (PPP):
GDP - agriculture: 0.5%
composition by industry: 38.7%
sector: services: 60.8% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 380,000
note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is
non-national (2005 est.)
Labor force - agriculture: 1%
by occupation: industry: 79%
services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment 15% (2005 est.)
rate:
Population NA%
below poverty
line:
Household lowest 10%: NA%
income or highest 10%: NA%
consumption by
percentage
share:
Inflation rate 2.7% (2005 est.)
(consumer
prices):
Investment 19.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
(gross fixed):
Budget: revenues: $4.662 billion
expenditures: $3.447 billion; including capital
expenditures of $700 million (2005 est.)
Public debt: 33.5% of GDP (2005 est.)
Agriculture - fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp,
products: fish
Industries: petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting,
iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship
repairing, tourism
Industrial 2% (2000 est.)
production
growth rate:
Electricity - 7.345 billion kWh (2003)
production:
Electricity - fossil fuel: 100%
production by hydro: 0%
source: nuclear: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - 6.83 billion kWh (2003)
consumption:
Electricity - 0 kWh (2003)
exports:
Electricity - 0 kWh (2003)
imports:
Oil - 188,300 bbl/day (2005 est.)
production:
Oil - 26,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)
consumption:
Oil - exports: NA bbl/day
Oil - imports: NA bbl/day
Oil - proved 124 million bbl (2005 est.)
reserves:
Natural gas - 9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.)
production:
Natural gas - 9.65 billion cu m (2003 est.)
consumption:
Natural gas - 0 cu m (2002 est.)
exports:
Natural gas - 0 cu m (2002 est.)
imports:
Natural gas - 92.03 billion cu m (2005)
proved
reserves:
Current $1.531 billion (2005 est.)
account
balance:
Exports: $11.17 billion (2005 est.)
Exports - petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
commodities:
Exports - Saudi Arabia 3.3%, US 2.6%, UAE 2.3% (2005)
partners:
Imports: $7.83 billion (2005 est.)
Imports - crude oil, machinery, chemicals
commodities:
Imports - Saudi Arabia 36.4%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.4%, US 5.4%,
partners: UK 5%, UAE 4.1% (2005)
Reserves of $2.432 billion (2005 est.)
foreign
exchange and
gold:
Debt - $6.814 billion (2005 est.)
external:
Economic aid - $150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992
recipient: from the UAE and Kuwait (2002)
Currency Bahraini dinar (BHD)
(code):
Currency code: BHD
Exchange Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2005), 0.376
rates: (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376 (2002), 0.376 (2001)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Communications
Telephones - 196,500 (2005)
main lines in
use:
Telephones - 748,700 (2005)
mobile
cellular:
Telephone general assessment: modern system
system: domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services;
digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile
cellular telephones
international: country code - 973; tropospheric scatter
to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi
Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi
Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 (1997)
Radio AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
broadcast
stations:
Radios: 338,000 (1997)
Television 4 (1997)
broadcast
stations:
Televisions: 275,000 (1997)
Internet .bh
country code:
Internet 2,165 (2006)
hosts:
Internet 1 (2000)
Service
Providers
(ISPs):
Internet 152,700 (2005)
users:
Transportation
Airports: 3 (2006)
Airports - total: 3
with paved over 3,047 m: 2
runways: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports: 1 (2006)
Pipelines: gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2006)
Roadways: total: 3,498 km
paved: 2,768 km
unpaved: 730 km (2003)
Merchant total: 8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 235,449 GRT/339,728
marine: DWT
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 1, container 2,
petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned: 3 (Kuwait 3) (2006)
Ports and Mina' Salman, Sitrah
terminals:
Military
Military Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes
branches: Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard
Military 18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
service age
and
obligation:
Manpower males age 18-49: 202,126
available for females age 18-49: 151,734 (2005 est.)
military
service:
Manpower fit males age 18-49: 161,372
for military females age 18-49: 125,488 (2005 est.)
service:
Manpower males age 18-49: 6,013
reaching females age 18-49: 5,852 (2005 est.)
military
service age
annually:
Military $627.7 million (2005 est.)
expenditures -
dollar figure:
Military 4.9% (2005 est.)
expenditures -
percent of
GDP:
Transnational
Issues
Disputes - none
international:
Trafficking in current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for
persons: men and women from South and Southeast Asia who migrate
willingly to work as laborers or domestic servants, but
may be subjected to conditions of involuntary servitude
when faced with exorbitant recruitment and
transportation fees, withholding of their passports,
restrictions on their movement, non-payment of wages,
and physical or sexual abuse; Eastern European women
are also believed to be trafficked to Bahrain for the
purpose of commercial sexual exploitation or forced
labor
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain's efforts to
address trafficking in persons are based largely on
pledges of future efforts; the government did not enact
a comprehensive anti-trafficking law extending labor
protection to domestic workers