Bahrain

المملكةالبحرين
Kingdom of Bahrain

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: None
Official languages	Arabic
Capital	Manama
King	Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Prime Minister	Khalifa bin Salman Ali Khalifa
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 175th 665 km² 0%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 157th 667.238 987/km²
Independence  - Date	From UK August 15, 1971
Currency	Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
Time zone	UTC+3
National anthem	Bahrainona (Our Bahrain)
Internet TLD	.bh
Calling Code	973

History

Bahrain has been populated by humans since prehistoric times. It's location in the Persian Gulf put it in a strategic location that has brought rule from the Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, and finally the Arabs, under whom the island became Muslim.

The modern history of Bahrain begins with the Al-Khalifa family, who established a power base in the island nation, and built alliances with the British in order to keep Ottoman influence checked. The British would gain free access to the Persian Gulf through this agreement. Later the British would directly become involved in the politics of Bahrain by hand-picking an emir of the island.

Oil was discovered in the early 20th century, and brought rapid modernization and improvements to Bahrain. It also made relations with Britain tighter, and this was evidenced by the British moving more bases to the island nation. British influence would continue to grow, culminating with Charles Belgrave who was appointed as an advisor, and who set up modern educational systems in Bahrain.

After World War II, increasing anti-British feeling spread throughout the Arab world and led to some riots in Bahrain. The British withdrew from Bahrain in 1971, making it an independent emirate. The oil boom of the 1980s greatly benefitted Bahrain, but its downturn was not as badly felt as the economy of Bahrain began to diversify.

In the 1990s, increased calls for a representitive government pushed the then-emir to move, and form the first cabinet in 1994. This group was increased in number as the decade went on, but was not wholly satisfactory and led to some rioting. The Gulf War also brought a heavy American military presence to Bahrain that remains to this day and is a cause of tension.

Politics

Bahrain is a hereditary kingdom under the rule of the Al-Khalifa family. The King is the chief executive and head of state. The prime minister is head of government. Both these posts are filled by members of the Al-Khalifa family, the king being Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, his uncle Khalifa bin Salman Ali Khalifa. Both rule through consultation with ministers. The judiciary system is relatively independent of the government and is based on diverse legal sources, including Sunni and Shia Islamic law.

The new king has worked to improve civil rights and increase democratic reforms. Municipal elections were held in 2002, and legislative elections will be held in 2004. King Hamad has also stated his intention to have a house of the legislative portion of the government that is composed of delegates elected by both males and females.

Municipalities

Bahrain is split into twelve municipalities that are all administered from the capital city of Manama:

• Al Hadd
• Al Manamah
• Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah
• Al Mintaqah al Wusta
• Al Mintaqah al Shamaliyah
• Al Muharraq
• Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah
• Jidd Haffs
• Madinat Hamad
• Madinat 'Isa
• Juzur Hawar
• Sitrah

Geography

Bahrain is an archipelago that is generally flat, and arid.

Economy

In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during and following the Gulf crisis of 1990-91. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.

Demographics

The official religion of Bahrain is Islam. Shiite Muslims are the majority, composing about 66% of the population, but the Sunni Muslims dominate the government, military and security forces. There are small indigenous Jewish minorities, and some Christian ones, largely composed of foreign workers. Two thirds of Bahrain's population consists of Arabs while the rest of guest workers that are largely from Iran, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Culture

Holidays

Date	English Name	Local Name	Remarks
January 1	New Year's Day	-
December 16	National Day	-	-
December 17	Accesion Day	-	-
date varies	Feast of the Sacrifice or the Big Feast	Eid ul-Adha	Commemorates Abrahams willingness to sacrifice his son, occurs at the end of the month of hajj
date varies	the Little Feast	Eid ul-Fitr	Commemorates end of Ramadan
date varies	Hijri New Year	Muharram	Islamic New Year
date varies	Al-Isra' ul-Miraj	-	Commemorates Muhammad's trip to heaven
date varies	Prophet Muhammads birthday	Mawlid al-Nabi	-

Education

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Bahrain
• Transportation in Bahrain
• Military of Bahrain
• Foreign relations of Bahrain
• Bahrain International Airport

External links

• Bahrain News Agency

Referenced By