Bahrain – country information

Country name	Bahrain
Official name	State of Bahrain
Capital	Manama
Continent	Asia
Area	694 km2
Population	1,234,571 (2010)
Foundation of a state	8/15/1971
The highest mountains	Duchan 134 m
State system	absolute monarchy with an advisory council
The biggest cities	Manama (capital) 195,000
Official language	Arabic
Ethnicity/National Composition	Bahraini Arabs 60%, Iranians, Indians and Pakistanis 30%, other Arabs 7%, Europeans 2.5%, others 0.5%
Religious affiliation	Shia Muslims 51%, Sunni Muslims 35%, Christians 7%, other 7%
Currency	1 Bahraini dinar (BHD) = 1000 fils
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$28,691 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	74.45 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 1%, mining and industry 19.5%, construction 6%, services 58%

Country overview

The small independent monarchy of Bahrain consists of one larger island and 32 small islets in the Gulf of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf between Saudi Arabia and the Qatar peninsula.

According to Abbreviationfinder, Bahrain is the smallest Arab island state on the archipelago of the same name (3 large islands and 30 small ones) in the Persian Gulf. The capital is Manama.
The climate is dry, tropical. The air temperature in winter is +20*С, in summer +40*С. Most of the territory is occupied by the Sakhir Desert.

The archaeological heritage of a 5,000-year-old civilization attracts up to 8,000 tourists a year to the country.

Resorts and attractions of Bahrain

The East has always attracted travel lovers with its mystery. The warm climate, rich variety of cultures and peoples are of great interest to tourists. The traveler’s imagination draws fabulous pictures of a thousand and one nights. The Middle East is especially attractive for religious pilgrims, because it is here that the origins of the main world religions are located.

The country of Bahrain is a real pearl of the Persian Gulf. This country can be called a world of contrasts, in which modernity and the past are perfectly combined. Tours to Bahrain are an opportunity to get acquainted with the rich Arab culture and enjoy a wonderful beach holiday. Every year the flow of tourists to Bahrain increases, the coast of this country is actively built up with modern tourist complexes.

The sights of Bahrain are the Great Friday Mosque, the House of the Koran, the National Museum.

Country data

Location: Middle East, Persian Gulf

Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time: CET + 1)

Total area: 760 km²

Land area: 760 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 161 km

Capital: Manama (al-Manāma)

Governorates: 5
Asamah, Ar Rifa wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Al Muharraq, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Wasat

Electric current: 230 V / 50 Hz (partly 110 V, 60 Hz)

Telephone code: 00 973 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Population

Population: approx. 1.3 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 2.5%

Population density (residents per km²): 1.710

Life expectancy: 76 (male), 81 (female)

Official language: Arabic

Religions:

• 70% Muslim
• 14% Christians,
• 9% Hindu
• 2% Buddhists
• 5% other

Climate

There is a warm, humid subtropical climate all year round.

The summer months are very hot, with temperatures mostly over 30 ° C (sometimes over 40 ° C) and a humidity of 80%. It’s cooler in winter. There is occasional rainfall in the months of October to January.

The most comfortable time for Europeans is from early December to mid-March. At this time, the daytime temperatures are between 15 and 26 ° C. However, here too the humidity is around 90%.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Division: 1 dinar = 1,000 fils

ATMs: Available in many shopping centers.

International credit cards: Accepted in many shops and hotels.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 200 g tobacco
• 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
• small amounts of perfume (only in opened bottles)

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

The import of narcotics, drugs and pornographic material is prohibited.

Travel advice

Although Bahrain is considered a safe travel destination, the situation in the Near and Middle East means that political reactions from parts of the population can occur at any time.

Demonstrations and rallies should therefore be avoided and should only appear cautious in public.

Behavioral advice

Please note that you are in Bahrain in an Islamic country. Women in particular have to be very cautious when choosing their clothes.

Sleeveless dresses and blouses as well as shorts and skirts are not allowed. Men should also not wear shorts.

Swimwear is allowed on a beach and swimming pool. However, you should only wear them there.

Tip: You should always have good sunglasses with you!

Economy

Almost the entire economy is geared towards the extraction and processing of oil, natural gas and aluminum.

However, over 100 banks from all over the world have settled in Bahrain (due to the low taxes).

Industries: aluminum smelting, banking, oil exploration, shipbuilding, tourism

Natural resources: natural gas, oil, fish

Land use:

• Usable land: 1%
• Grain cultivation: 1%
• Pasture area: 6%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 92%

Plants

Bahrain consists of 33 islands that are mostly covered by sand. Therefore there is hardly any vegetation.

Some oases that are used for agriculture have been created through artificial irrigation.

Animals

Due to the low vegetation there are very few animal species. Occasionally there are hares, mongooses, crawling cats and gerbils.