World Country Guide

General Information

Area
710.9 sq km (274.5 sq miles).

Population
666,442 (official estimate 1999).

Population Density
937.5 per sq km.

Capital
Manama. Population: 140,401 (1992).

Geography
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia’s east coast and the Qatar peninsula. At the centre of the island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain’s oil wells are to be found in this area. The main island has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore. There are extensive date gardens to the north with irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic 24km- (15-mile) long King Fahad Causeway links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1971 (had been a British Protectorate from 1861). Head of State: King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa since 1971.

Language
The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken.

Religion
Islam is practised by around 85 per cent of Bahraini society (of which 60 per cent is Shi’ite and 40 per cent Sunni). There are also other faiths including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism.

Time
GMT + 3.

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz). Lamp fittings are of both the bayonet and screw types. Plug fittings are normally of the 13-amp pin type.

Communications

Telephone
Full IDD service is available to over 204 locations. Country code: 973. Outgoing international code: 00. Blue phone booths are coin-operated, red booths are phonecard operated and silver booths are operated by both cards and coins. Phonecards can be purchased in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25 Dinars. Reduced rates are in operation Mon-Thurs 1900-0700 and all day on Friday. Facilities are provided for video conferencing, digital data networks, mobile links and satellite-linked skyphones for direct communication with airborne aircraft anywhere in the world.

Mobile Telephone
GSM 900. Network operators include Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO), which has handsets available for hire on a daily, weekly or monthly basis (website: www.batelco.com.bh).

Fax
BATELCO operates a service from the Batelco Building on Government Avenue.

Internet
ISPs include BATELCO (website: www.batelco.com.bh) and GCC Online (website: www.gcconline.com). E-mail facilities are available in Manama.

Telegram
Bahrain possesses one of the most modern international communications networks in the Gulf. A 24-hour service is run by Cable & Wireless, Mercury House, Al-Khalifa Avenue, Manama, as well as at the airport.

Post
Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The main post office is near Bab al-Bahrain in Manama; opening hours Sat-Thurs 0700-1930. Efficient one-day international courier services operate out of Bahrain.

Press
There are two Arabic dailies – Akhbar Al Khaleej and Al-Ayam. The two English-language dailies are the Bahrain Tribune and Gulf Daily News. A number of Arabic and English-language business magazines are published locally.

Radio/Television
Radio Bahrain is broadcast in English 24 hours a day on 96.5 and 101 FM. American Armed Forces Radio can be heard on 104 FM and 107.9 Khz. There are four terrestrial channels, two in English (BBC World Service and Channel 55) and two Arabic channels.

Radio
Radio Bahrain is broadcast in English 24 hours a day on 96.5 and 101 FM. American Armed Forces Radio can be heard on 104 FM and 107.9 Khz. There are four terrestrial channels, two in English (Channel 55 and BBC World Service) and two Arabic channels. BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) 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.