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Overview:
An archipelago of thirty-three islands, the largest island,
Bahrain (from the Arabic word for "two seas"), is believed to
have separated from the Arabian Peninsula around 6000 BC.
Located in the Arabian Gulf, the islands are about twenty-four
kilometres from the east coast of Saudi Arabia and twenty-eight
kilometres from Qatar. The total area of the islands is about
678 square kilometres or 262 square miles (estimates vary). The
capital, Manama, is located on the northeastern tip of the
island of Bahrain. The main port, Mina Salman, and the major
petroleum refining facilities and commercial centers are also
located on the island. Causeways and bridges connect Bahrain to
adjacent islands and to the mainland of Saudi Arabia. Al
Muharraq, the second largest island, is linked to Bahrain by the
oldest causeway, originally constructed in 1929. The country's
second largest city, Al Muharraq, and the international airport
are located there.
Bahrain is an independent state with a traditional monarchy. On
14 February 2002, a new constitution was published and Bahrain
declared itself a kingdom. The ruling family of Bahrain, the Al
Khalifa, arrived in the islands in the mid-18th century after
they first established a settlement in the peninsula of
present-day Qatar. Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the King,
and has ruled Bahrain since 6 March 1999.Sheikh Khalifa bin
Salman Al Khalifa is the prime minister. In February 2001,
proposals for political reform put forward by the ruling family
received almost unanimous support in a national referendum. The
proposals are due to come into effect in 2004, and will mean
that Bahrain becomes a constitutional monarchy with an elected
lower chamber of parliament and an independent judiciary.
Oil was discovered in commercial quantities in Bahrain in June
1932. The first Gulf state to discover oil, it was also the
first to reap the benefits that came with the revenues, in
particular a marked improvement in the quality of education and
health care. By Gulf standards, Bahrain's oil reserves are quite
small. To decrease its reliance on oil revenues, the government
is striving to diversify Bahrain's economy by attracting more
commercial companies, particularly in the IT field
Population:
656,397 (official estimate 2002).
Capital:
Manama City.
Major Cities: Hamad City
Language:
Arabic, but English is widely
understood, especially in commerce and industry.
Religion:
95 per cent Muslim (mostly of the
Shiette sect), with Christian and other minorities.
Time:
GMT + 3.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz; single phase.
UK-type flat three-pin plugs are used.
Communications:
Telephone:
Full IDD is available. Country
code: 973. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone:
GSM 900 and 1800 networks.
Network operators include Bahrain Telecom Company - Batelco
(website:
www.batelco.com.bh) and MTC - Vodafone
Bahrain
Fax:
Most hotels have facilities.
Internet:
Internet cafes throughout Bahrain
provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISP for
Bahrain is Bahrain Telecom Co. (website:
www.batelco.com.bh); Although there is one ISP; Bahrain
boasts one of the highest per capita for internet users.
Telegram:
Telegram services are available
24-hours at Bahrain Telecom Co. Offices.
Post:
Airmail to Western Europe takes about
5 days.
Press:
The leading English-language newspaper
is Gulf Daily News.
Radio:
BBC World Service (website:
www.bbc.co.uk) and Voice of America (website:
www.voa.gov) can be
received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most
up-to-date can be found online. |
