Country Guide • Bahrain
Bahrain is made up from a group of 33 islands and is situated in the Arabian Gulf, off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. The state takes its name from the largest island Bahrain, which is 586.5 square kilometres. It is linked by causeways to Muharraq (international airport) and Sitra (industrial area and tank-farm). There are numerous other tiny islands, but they are mainly uninhabited and are best known for the variety of migrating birds which pass through in spring and autumn. Bahrain is rich in history and ancient civilizations have only recently been discovered by international archaeologists.
| Official Name | State of Bahrain |
|---|---|
| Area | 707km² (282mile²) |
| Population | 667,000 |
| Continent | Middle East |
| Population per mile² | 2,599 |
| Capital City | Manama |
| Religions | Shi'ite Muslims -70%, Sunni Muslims - 15%. Some Christian and Jewish communities do exist, although they are minorities |
| Language | Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu |
| Government | Constitutional Hereditary Monarchy |
| Currency | Bahrain Dinar |
| GDP | $9.8 billion |
| GDP per Head | $14,000 |
| Natural Resources | Oil, associated and non-associated Natural Gas, Fish, Pearls |
| Land Use | Arable Land 5% |
| Agriculture | Dairy Products, Fish, Fruit, Poultry, Vegetables |
| Industry | Petroleum Processing and Refining, Aluminum Smelting, Banking, Ship Repairing; Tourism |
| Tourism | Bahrain has the culture, weather and the shops to draw the tourists here |
| Natural Hazards | Periodic droughts and dust storms |
| Health Risks | None |
| Climate | Average temperatureS range in Bahrain from 14 to 20°C in January to 29 to 38°C in August with high humidity. The annual average rainfall is approximately 77 millimetres |
| Time | GMT/UTC+3 hours |
| National Days | 16 December |
| Visas | All visitors except those from Britain need visas. If your passport has an Israeli stamp you will be denied entry |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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