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