Introduction

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 transformed itself into 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. In addition, the Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its approximately 70% Shia-majority population. During the mid-to-late 1990s Shia activists mounted a low-intensity uprising to demand that the Sunni-led government stop systemic economic, social, and political discrimination against Shia Bahrainis. King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa, after succeeding his late father in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms in part to improve relations with the Shia community. After boycotting the country's first round of democratic elections under the newly-promulgated constitution in 2002, Shia political societies participated in 2006 and 2010 in legislative and municipal elections and Wafiq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest bloc of seats in the elected lower-house of the legislature both times. Nevertheless, Shia discontent has persisted, often manifesting itself in street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
In early 2011, Bahrain's fractious opposition sought to ride a rising tide of popular Arab protests to petition for the redress of popular grievances. In mid-February, on the tenth anniversary marking the King's initiation of his democratic reform initiative, a vanguard of hardline activists - who rejected the legitimacy of the Al Khalifa regime and have sometimes instigated low-level violence - organized demonstrations in Shia neighborhoods demanding a new constitution, release of hundreds of Shia prisoners, and an end to discriminations in all sectors of society. Cycles of protestor deaths, funerals, and clashes with security forces ensued, escalating domestic tensions and leading Wifaq legislators to formally resign from the national legislature in protest in late-March 2011. Nearly a month of mostly peaceful opposition demonstrations followed before hardline elements within the Shia opposition undertook new provocative protests. The government's offers of modest political and economic concessions went and the king's "national dialogue" with the opposition - led by his son, the reform-minded Crown Prince - also languished in disagreements over procedure and preconditions. In mid-March 2011, with the backing of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) capitals - especially Riyadh and Abu Dhabi - King HAMAD put an end to the mass public gatherings and increasingly disruptive demonstrations by declaring a state of emergency and authorizing the military to take all measures to "protect the safety of the country and its citizens." Manama also welcomed a contingent of mostly Saudi and Emirati forces as part of a GCC deployment intended to help Bahraini security forces maintain order. By mid-April security forces had largely relegated demonstrations to outlying Shia neighborhoods and villages, and negotiations between the government and opposition reached a stalemate. Manama exacted retribution against opposition groups and their supporters through mass firings, arrests, and sectarian incitement.
`

Geography

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: 187 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: 2.82% permanent crops: 5.63% other: 91.55% (2005)`
Irrigated land: |  |
`40 sq km (2003)`
Total renewable water resources: |  |
`0.1 cu km (1997)`
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic / industrial / agricultural): |  |
`total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%) per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000)`
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

Population: |  |
`1,214,705 country comparison to the world: 156 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2011 est.)`
Age structure: |  |
`0-14 years: 20.5% (male 126,313/female 122,359) 15-64 years: 77% (male 595,244/female 339,635) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)`
Median age: |  |
`total: 30.9 years male: 32.2 years female: 28.1 years (2011 est.)`
Population growth rate: |  |
`2.814% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 15`
Birth rate: |  |
`14.64 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137`
Death rate: |  |
`2.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 221`
Net migration rate: |  |
`16.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 4`
Urbanization: |  |
`urban population: 89% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)`
Major cities - population: |  |
`MANAMA (capital) 163,000 (2009)`
Sex ratio: |  |
`at birth: 1.028 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2011 est.)`
Infant mortality rate: |  |
`total: 10.43 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 146 male: 11.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)`
Life expectancy at birth: |  |
`total population: 78.15 years country comparison to the world: 52 male: 76.03 years female: 80.33 years (2011 est.)`
Total fertility rate: |  |
`1.88 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 143`
HIV / AIDS - adult prevalence rate: |  |
`0.2% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 93`
HIV / AIDS - people living with HIV / AIDS: |  |
`fewer than 600 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149`
HIV / AIDS - deaths: |  |
`fewer than 200 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 107`
Sanitation facility access: |  |
`improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)`
Nationality: |  |
`noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini`
Ethnic groups: |  |
`Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)`
Religions: |  |
`Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)`
Languages: |  |
`Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu`
Literacy: |  |
`definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 86.5% male: 88.6% female: 83.6% (2001 census)`
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): |  |
`total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2006)`
Education expenditures: |  |
`2.9% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 136`

Government

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; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat 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 and English common 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); Heir Apparent 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); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit theWorld Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
`

Legislative branch: |  |

`
bicameral legislature consists of the 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)
election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17
`

Judicial branch: |  |
`High Civil Appeals Court`
Political parties and leaders: |  |
`political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law`
Political pressure groups and leaders: |  |
`Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators other: several small leftist and other groups are active`
International organization participation: |  |
`ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, 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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephanie WILLIAMS 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

Economy - overview: |  |

`
Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. 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 (exclusive of allied industries). 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. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help lower unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow growth of government debt as a result of a large subsidy program, the financing of large government projects, and debt restructuring, such as the bailout of state-owned Gulf Air.
`

GDP (purchasing power parity): |  |
`$29.71 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 $28.55 billion (2009 est.) $27.69 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP (official exchange rate): |  |
`$22.66 billion (2010 est.)`
GDP - real growth rate: |  |
`4.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 3.1% (2009 est.) 6.3% (2008 est.)`
GDP - per capita (PPP): |  |
`$40,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $39,200 (2009 est.) $38,500 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars`
GDP - composition by sector: |  |
`agriculture: 0.5% industry: 56.6% services: 42.9% (2010 est.)`
Labor force: |  |
`611,000 country comparison to the world: 154 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2010 est.)`
Labor force - by occupation: |  |
`agriculture: 1% industry: 79% services: 20% (1997 est.)`
Unemployment rate: |  |
`15% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 150`
Population below poverty line: |  |
`NA%`
Household income or consumption by percentage share: |  |
`lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%`
Investment (gross fixed): |  |
`26.6% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33`
Budget: |  |
`revenues: $5.933 billion expenditures: $5.948 billion (2010 est.)`
Public debt: |  |
`59.2% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36 38.5% of GDP (2009 est.)`
Inflation rate (consumer prices): |  |
`3.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91 2.8% (2009 est.)`
Commercial bank prime lending rate: |  |
`NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)`
Stock of narrow money: |  |
`$6.372 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 81 $5.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of broad money: |  |
`$21.02 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $18.93 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of domestic credit: |  |
`$18.46 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $16.34 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Market value of publicly traded shares: |  |
`$16.93 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 62 $21.18 billion (31 December 2008) $28.13 billion (31 December 2007)`
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: |  |
`1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 138`
Electricity - production: |  |
`10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 89`
Electricity - consumption: |  |
`10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 87`
Electricity - exports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Electricity - imports: |  |
`0 kWh (2008 est.)`
Oil - production: |  |
`48,560 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63`
Oil - consumption: |  |
`39,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103`
Oil - exports: |  |
`238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 50`
Oil - imports: |  |
`228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40`
Oil - proved reserves: |  |
`124.6 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67`
Natural gas - production: |  |
`12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38`
Natural gas - consumption: |  |
`12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43`
Natural gas - exports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 54`
Natural gas - imports: |  |
`0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147`
Natural gas - proved reserves: |  |
`92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54`
Current account balance: |  |
`$589 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $560.2 million (2009 est.)`
Exports: |  |
`$15.13 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 $12.05 billion (2009 est.)`
Exports - commodities: |  |
`petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles`
Exports - partners: |  |
`India 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.78% (2009)`
Imports: |  |
`$12.14 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 $9.613 billion (2009 est.)`
Imports - commodities: |  |
`crude oil, machinery, chemicals`
Imports - partners: |  |
`Saudi Arabia 22.91%, France 9.76%, US 7.95%, China 6.4%, South Korea 5.26%, Japan 5.19%, Germany 5.01%, UK 4.34% (2009)`
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: |  |
`$3.766 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $3.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Debt - external: |  |
`$14.68 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $10.55 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: |  |
`$15.77 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 $15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: |  |
`$8.399 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $7.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)`
Exchange rates: |  |
`Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2010) 0.376 (2009) 0.376 (2008) 0.376 (2007) 0.376 (2006)`

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: |  |
`238,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 124`
Telephones - mobile cellular: |  |
`1.578 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 137`
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 broadcast media; Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; state-run BRTC broadcasts over several radio stations; 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: |  |
`53,944 (2010) country comparison to the world: 86`
Internet users: |  |
`419,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 122`

Transportation

Airports: |  |
`4 (2010) country comparison to the world: 183`
Airports - with paved runways: |  |
`total: 4 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2010)`
Heliports: |  |
`1 (2010)`
Pipelines: |  |
`gas 20 km; oil 29 km (2010)`
Roadways: |  |
`total: 3,851 km country comparison to the world: 158 paved: 3,121 km unpaved: 730 km (2007)`
Merchant marine: |  |
`total: 7 country comparison to the world: 125 by type: bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 5) registered in other countries: 6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)`
Ports and terminals: |  |
`Mina' Salman, Sitrah`

Military

Military branches: |  |
`Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense Force), Royal Bahrain Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Bahrain National Guard (BNG) (2011)`
Military service age and obligation: |  |
`17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010)`
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: 21`

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international: |  |
`none`

PAGE LAST UPDATED ON MAY 26, 2011