Middle
East, Gulf Coast. 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).
Flag
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 Salman
al-Khalifa since 1971. Recent history: In February 2002,
Sheikh Hamad declared Bahrain a constitutional monarchy
with himself as head of state and announced that majlis
elections would be held. Women were allowed to stand as
candidates for the first time, provoking complaints from
traditionalist Islamists, while Islamist candidates were
themselves allowed to stand for the first time. The
second such elections took place in November 2006. No
group won an outright majority, but the main Shia
opposition group took over 40% of the vote. 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. 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. Social Conventions Traditional beliefs
and customs are strong influences and people are
generally more formal than Westerners. Attitudes to
women are more liberal than in most Gulf States.
Homosexuality, however, is illegal. Video cassettes will
be withheld on arrival at the airport. It is illegal for
Muslims to purchase alcohol from retail outlets. It is
acceptable to sit cross-legged on cushions or sofas in
people’s homes but it is still insulting to display the
soles of the feet or shoes or to accept food or anything
else with the left hand. It is polite to drink two small
cups of coffee or tea when offered. Guests will
generally be expected to share a bedroom since guest
bedrooms and privacy are almost unknown. Sports clothes
may be worn in the street and short dresses are
acceptable; however, revealing clothing should be
avoided. Smoking is very common and cheap by European
standards. 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.
