2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat

note

each governorate administered by an appointed governor

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.)

Agriculture - products

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Airports

3 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

total

3

Area

land

665 sq km

total

665 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

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. King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community and Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. Geography Bahrain

Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF)

Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard

Birth rate

17.8 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$4.197 billion; including capital expenditures of $700 million (2006 est.)

revenues

$5.582 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates

26 13 N, 50 35 E

name

Manama

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Coastline

161 km

Constitution

new constitution 14 February 2002

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Bahrain

conventional short form

Bahrain

former

Dilmun

local long form

Mamlakat al Bahrayn

local short form

Al Bahrayn

Currency (code)

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Currency code

BHD

Current account balance

$1.999 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$7.267 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador William T. MONROE

embassy

Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli 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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Nasir bin Muhammad al-BALUSHI

telephone

[1] (202) 342-1111

Disputes - international

none

Economic aid - recipient

$150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from the UAE and Kuwait (2002)

Economy - overview

With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 20% of GDP, underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in recent years. The financial and construction sectors have also bolstered GDP growth. Bahrain is actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, Bahrain and the US in August 2006 implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.

Electricity - consumption

7.248 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

7.794 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust 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 - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)

Exchange rates

Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the monarch

chief of state

King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

head of government

Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH

Exports

$12.62 billion (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles

Exports - partners

Saudi Arabia 3.3%, US 2.6%, UAE 2.3% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 362-2192

[973] 1727-0547

consulate(s) general

New York

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Bahrain

Flag description

red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam Economy Bahrain

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

0.5%

industry

38.7%

services

60.8% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$25,300 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.6% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.12 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.7 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Geography - note

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean People Bahrain

Government type

constitutional hereditary monarchy

Heliports

1 (2006)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

less than 600 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$9.036 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

crude oil, machinery, chemicals

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 36.5%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.4%, US 5.4%, UK 5%, UAE 4.1% (2005)

Independence

15 August 1971 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2000 est.)

Industries

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, ship repairing, tourism

Infant mortality rate

female

13.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

19.65 deaths/1,000 live births

total

16.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.bh

Internet hosts

2,165 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

152,700 (2005) Transportation Bahrain

Investment (gross fixed)

21.1% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

40 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Labor force

352,000

note

44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

1%

industry

79%

services

20% (1997 est.)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land

2.82%

other

91.55% (2005)

permanent crops

5.63%

Languages

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Legal system

based on Islamic law and English common law

Legislative branch

bicameral legislature consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms)

election results

House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Sunni Islamists 18, Al Wifaq (Shia) 17, other groupings and independents 5

elections

House of Deputies - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held NA)

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 term held from December 2002 to December 2006

Life expectancy at birth

female

77 years (2006 est.)

male

71.97 years

total population

74.45 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

85% (2003 est.) Government Bahrain

male

91.9%

total population

89.1%

Location

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

151,734 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

202,126

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

125,488 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

161,372

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49

5,852 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

6,013

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

extending to boundaries to be determined

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

25.8 years (2006 est.)

male

32.4 years

total

29.4 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 4, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1

foreign-owned

3 (Kuwait 3) (2006)

total

8 ships (1000 GRT or over) 235,449 GRT/339,728 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$627.7 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

4.9% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Bahrain

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)

National holiday

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection

Nationality

adjective

Bahraini

noun

Bahraini(s)

Natural gas - consumption

9.75 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

9.75 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; dust storms

Natural resources

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Net migration rate

0.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

27,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

188,300 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

121 million bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law

Political pressure groups and leaders

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97 and have recently engaged in protests and sporadic violence, demanding more power for the elected Council of Deputies to decrease unemployment; Sunni Islamist legislators support a greater role for shari'a in daily life; several small leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

Population

698,585

note

includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.45% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Mina' Salman, Sitrah Military Bahrain

Public debt

34.2% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios

338,000 (1997)

Religions

Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.918 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

2,768 km

total

3,498 km

unpaved

730 km (2003)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.26 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones

general assessment

modern system

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

196,500 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

748,700 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

4 (1997)

Televisions

275,000 (1997)

Terrain

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Total fertility rate

2.6 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Bahrain is a destination country for 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 This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

15% (2005 est.)