Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

1 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.bh

Internet users [time series]

37,500 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios [time series]

338,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

152,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

58,543 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 (1997)

Televisions [time series]

275,000 (1997)

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.8 billion expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

BHD

Debt - external [time series]

$2.7 billion (2000)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$48.4 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil revenue granted as aid. 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.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

5.752 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.185 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.3760 (fixed rate pegged to the US dollar)

Exports [time series]

$5.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum and petroleum products 61%, aluminum 7%

Exports - partners [time series]

India 14%, Saudi Arabia 5%, US 5%, UAE 5%, Japan 4%, South Korea 4% (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $10.1 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1% industry: 46% services: 53% (1996 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $15,900 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

5% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$4.2 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

nonoil 59%, crude oil 41%

Imports - partners [time series]

France 20%, US 14%, UK 8%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Japan 5% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

2% (2000 est.)

Industries [time series]

petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2% (2000 est.)

Labor force [time series]

295,000 (1998 est.) note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

15% (1998 est.)

Area [time series]

total: 620 sq km land: 620 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

Coastline [time series]

161 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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; no natural fresh water resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for all water needs

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

26 00 N, 50 33 E

Geography - note [time series]

close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

Irrigated land [time series]

10 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 6% forests and woodland: 0% other: 92% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

contiguous zone: 24 NM continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined territorial sea: 12 NM

Natural hazards [time series]

periodic droughts; dust storms

Natural resources [time series]

oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls

Terrain [time series]

mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Administrative divisions [time series]

12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah note: all municipalities administered from Manama

Capital [time series]

Manama

Constitution [time series]

adopted late December 2000 (new constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: State of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local long form: Dawlat al Bahrayn local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy: #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama telephone: [973] 273-300

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969) head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[973] 272-594

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

15 August 1971 (from UK)

International organization participation [time series]

ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

High Civil Appeals Court

Legal system [time series]

based on Islamic law and English common law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992; the National Action Charter created a bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum of 14 February 2001

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

political parties prohibited

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

Suffrage [time series]

none

Background [time series]

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. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In 2001, the International Court of Justice awarded the Hawar Islands, long disputed with Qatar, to Bahrain.

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$318 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

5.2% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 222,141 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 121,833 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

15 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 5,926 (2001 est.)

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 29.6% (male 96,697; female 94,330) 15-64 years: 67.43% (male 257,360; female 177,839) 65 years and over: 2.97% (male 9,721; female 9,414) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

20.07 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

3.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.15% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

NA

Infant mortality rate [time series]

19.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.2 years male: 70.81 years female: 75.67 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.2% male: 89.1% female: 79.4% (1995 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini

Net migration rate [time series]

1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

645,361 note: includes 228,424 non-nationals (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.73% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.45 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female total population: 1.29 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.79 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international [time series]

in March of 2001, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Hawar Islands to Bahrain and also adjusted Bahrain's maritime boundary with Qatar

Airports [time series]

3 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 over 3,047 m: 2 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 3,164 km paved: 2,433 km unpaved: 731 km note: there is a paved causeway connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia (1997)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 175,609 GRT/207,652 DWT ships by type: bulk 2, cargo 3, container 2 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 56 km; petroleum products 16 km; natural gas 32 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah

Railways [time series]

0 km

Waterways [time series]

none