Middle East :: Bahrain

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## Introduction ::Bahrain

Background:
In 1783, the Sunni 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. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has become an international banking center. 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. The Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar protests at home with police and military action. The aftermath led to modest reforms, though continued dissatisfaction by Bahraini oppositionists with the extent of the reforms, has led to a broader dialogue between government officials, political societies, and legislators.

## Geography ::Bahrain

Location:
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 760 sq km country comparison to the world: 188 land: 760 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm 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 extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources:
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use:
arable land: 1.79% permanent crops: 3.95% other: 94.26% (2011)
Irrigated land:
40.15 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.12 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.36 cu km/yr (50%/6%/45%) per capita: 386 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; dust storms
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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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 and Society ::Bahrain

Nationality:
noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups:
Bahraini 46%, non-Bahraini 54% (2010 census)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
Religions:
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Population:
1,281,332 July 2013 est. country comparison to the world: 156 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals
Age structure:
0-14 years: 20% (male 130,097/female 126,067) 15-24 years: 15.9% (male 113,973/female 89,602) 25-54 years: 56.2% (male 472,537/female 247,873) 55-64 years: 5.2% (male 43,884/female 23,352) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,262/female 17,685) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 31.4 years male: 32.8 years female: 28.6 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.57% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25
Birth rate:
14.16 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 140
Death rate:
2.65 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 221
Net migration rate:
14.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Urbanization:
urban population: 88.7% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
MANAMA (capital) 262,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.26 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.92 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.89 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female total population: 1.54 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 139
Infant mortality rate:
total: 9.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 144 male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 78.43 years country comparison to the world: 52 male: 76.28 years female: 80.63 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.83 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 152
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
61.8% (1995)
Health expenditures:
5% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 142
Physicians density:
1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 100% of population (2010 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
32.9% (2008) country comparison to the world: 20
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 142
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.6% male: 96.1% female: 91.6% (2010 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2006)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 5,530 percentage: 5 % (2000 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 28.3% country comparison to the world: 31 male: 25.7% female: 32.6% (2004)

## Government ::Bahrain

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, State of Bahrain
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Manama geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asamah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern), Wasat (Central) note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Constitution:
adopted 14 February 2002
Legal system:
mixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); First Deputy Prime Minister SALMAN bin Hamad Al Khalifa (since 11 March 2013); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH, KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Shura Council or Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms) elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014); byelections to fill 18 vacated seats held in two rounds on 24 September and 1 October 2011 election results: Council of Representatives (2010) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 seats vacated by Wifaq (2011) - seats by society - independent Sunni 8, independent Shia 8, other 2; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of a president and 6 members) note - the judiciary of Bahrain is divided into the civil law and sharia law courts judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation and Constitutional Court judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure subordinate courts: High Court of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; higher and lower shariah courts, and the High Shariah Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
note: political parties are prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law progovernment: Arab Islamic Center Society [Ahmad Sanad AL-BENALI] Constitutional Gathering Society Islamic Asalah [Abd al-Halim MURAD] Islamic Saff Society [Abdullah Khalil BU GHAMAR] Islamic Shura Society Movement of National Justice Society [Muhi al-Din KHAN] National Action Charter Society [Muhammad AL-BUAYNAYN] National Dialogue Society National Islamic Minbar [Ali AHMAD] National Unity Gathering [Abdullah AL-HUWAYHI] oppositon: National Democratic Action Society [Ibrahim SHARIF] National Democratic Assembly [Hasan AL-ALI] National Fraternity Society [Musa AL-ANSARI] National Progressive Tribune [Abd al-Nabi SALMAN] Unitary National Democratic Assemblage [Fadhil ABBAS] Wifaq National Islamic Society [Ali SALMAN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Sunni: Al-Fatih Awakening Shia: 14 February Revolution Youth Coalition Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement [Said SHIHABI] Haqq Movement [Hasan MUSHAYMA] Islamic Amal [Muhammad Ali AL-MAHFUDH] Khalas [Abd al-Rauf AL-SHAYIB] Wafa Islamic Society [Abd al-Wahab HUSAYN]
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111 FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 1724-2700 FAX: [973] 1727-0547
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 note: until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
National anthem:
name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain) lyrics/music: unknown note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom

## Economy ::Bahrain

Economy - overview:
Bahrain has taken great strides in diversifying its economy and its highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In 2011 and 2012, Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest, however, several factors indicate that the economy is beginning to recover, such as the return of the formula one race and tourist cruise ships to Bahrain. Economic policies aimed at restoring confidence in Bahrain's economy, such as the suspension of an expatriate labor tax and frequent bailouts of Gulf Air, will make Bahrain's foremost long-term economic challenges - youth unemployment and the growth of government debt - more difficult to address.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$33.63 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $32.39 billion (2011 est.) $31.72 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$27.03 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 2.1% (2011 est.) 4.7% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$29,200 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $28,700 (2011 est.) $28,700 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 0.4% industry: 51.3% services: 48.4% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
705,900 country comparison to the world: 150 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
15% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Investment (gross fixed):
20.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Budget:
revenues: $8.378 billion expenditures: $8.675 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
31% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.1% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 61
Public debt:
54.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 53 47.8% of GDP (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 -0.4% (2011 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.3% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 129 6.83% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$7.777 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $7.013 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$24.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $21.64 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$24.31 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $20.78 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$17.15 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 63 $20.43 billion (31 December 2010) $16.93 billion (31 December 2009)
Agriculture - products:
fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Industries:
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
1.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Current account balance:
$2.846 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $3.247 billion (2011 est.)
Exports:
$21.4 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $19.91 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 3%, India 2.2%, UAE 2%, South Korea 1.9% (2012)
Imports:
$15.17 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $12.11 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 26.8%, US 9.7%, China 9.6%, Japan 6.4%, India 4.9%, France 4.7% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$4.853 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $4.245 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$27.12 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $27.04 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$16.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $15.94 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$10.02 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 $8.777 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Exchange rates:
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2012 est.) 0.376 (2011 est.) 0.376 (2010 est.) 0.376 (2009) 0.376 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Bahrain

Electricity - production:
13.16 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - consumption:
12.97 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
Electricity - imports:
214 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
3.168 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Crude oil - production:
44,800 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Crude oil - exports:
152,600 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 35
Crude oil - imports:
256,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Crude oil - proved reserves:
107.2 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 71
Refined petroleum products - production:
270,800 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
51,450 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Refined petroleum products - exports:
226,000 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29
Refined petroleum products - imports:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Natural gas - production:
12.58 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 38
Natural gas - consumption:
12.25 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Natural gas - proved reserves:
92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
30.69 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

## Communications ::Bahrain

Telephones - main lines in use:
276,500 (2011) country comparison to the world: 122
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.694 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 146
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007)
Broadcast media:
state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.bh
Internet hosts:
47,727 (2012) country comparison to the world: 97
Internet users:
419,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122

## Transportation ::Bahrain

Airports:
4 (2012) country comparison to the world: 185
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012)
Heliports:
1 (2012)
Pipelines:
gas 20 km; oil 54 km (2013)
Roadways:
total: 4,122 km country comparison to the world: 156 paved: 3,392 km unpaved: 730 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
total: 8 country comparison to the world: 119 by type: bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 2 foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 5) registered in other countries: 5 (Honduras 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Mina' Salman, Sitrah

## Military ::Bahrain

Military branches:
Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (RBA), Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 508,863 females age 16-49: 290,801 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 423,757 females age 16-49: 245,302 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 8,988 female: 8,117 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
4.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 20

## Transnational Issues ::Bahrain

Disputes - international:
none

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