Careers, Opportunities in Ministry
| Introduction | Bahrain |
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Background:
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 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. Facing declining oil reserves,
Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has
transformed itself into an international banking center. The new
amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political
reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a
community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a
referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of
the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002,
Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In
October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of
Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National
Assembly. |
| Geography |
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Location:
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Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia |
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Map references:
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Middle East |
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Area:
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total: 665
sq km water: 0 sq km land: 665 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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3.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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0 km |
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Coastline:
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161 km |
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Climate:
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arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers |
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Terrain:
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mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m |
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Natural resources:
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oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls |
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Land use:
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arable land:
4.35% permanent crops: 4.35% other: 91.3% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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50 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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periodic droughts; dust storms |
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Environment - current issues:
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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 |
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Environment - international agreements:
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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 |
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Geography - note:
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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 |
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Population:
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677,886 note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2004 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years:
28.4% (male 97,179; female 95,043) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 271,015; female 192,342) 65 years and over: 3.3% (male 11,426; female 10,881) (2004 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 29
years male: 31.9 years female: 25.3 years (2004 est.) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.56% (2004 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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18.54 births/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Death rate:
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4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.41 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female total population: 1.27 male(s)/female (2004 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 17.91
deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.) male: 20.93 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total
population: 73.98 years male: 71.52 years female: 76.51 years (2004 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.3% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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less than 1,000 |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun:
Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini |
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Ethnic groups:
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Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8% |
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Religions:
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Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% |
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Languages:
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Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu |
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Literacy:
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definition:
age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89.1% male: 91.9% female: 85% (2003 est.) |
| Government |
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Country name:
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conventional
long form: Kingdom of Bahrain conventional short form: Bahrain local short form: Al Bahrayn former: Dilmun local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn |
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Government type:
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constitutional hereditary monarchy |
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Capital:
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Manama |
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Administrative divisions:
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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 |
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Independence:
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15 August 1971 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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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 |
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Constitution:
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adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary) |
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Legal system:
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based on Islamic law and English common law |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state:
King 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 monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral
Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by
the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to
serve four-year terms) elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006) note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002 election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10 |
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Judicial branch:
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High Civil Appeals Court |
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Political parties and leaders:
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political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 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 |
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192 telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741 |
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of
mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN embassy: Building #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 FAX: [973] 272-594 |
| Economy |
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Economy - overview:
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In well-to-do 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 granted as aid. A large share of exports consist of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $11.38 billion (2003 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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3.6% (2003 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $17,100 (2003 est.) |
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture:
1% industry: 35% services: 64% (2002 est.) |
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Population below poverty line:
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NA% (2000) |
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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0.4% (2003 est.) |
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Labor force:
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295,000 note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.) |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.) |
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Unemployment rate:
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15% (1998 est.) |
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Industries:
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petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism |
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Industrial production growth rate:
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2% (2000 est.) |
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Electricity - production:
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6.257 billion kWh (2001) |
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel:
100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0% |
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Electricity - consumption:
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5.819 billion kWh (2001) |
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Oil - production:
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43,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Oil - consumption:
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31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - production:
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8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
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Natural gas - consumption:
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8.9 billion cu m (2001 est.) |
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Agriculture - products:
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fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish |
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Exports:
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$6.492 billion (2003 est.) |
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Exports - commodities:
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petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles |
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Exports - partners:
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US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002) |
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Imports:
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$5.126 billion (2003 est.) |
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Imports - commodities:
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crude oil, machinery, chemicals |
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Imports - partners:
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Saudi Arabia 29.5%, US 11.4%, Japan 7%, Germany 6.4%, UK 5.5% (2002) |
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Currency:
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Bahraini dinar (BHD) |
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Currency code:
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BHD |
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Exchange rates:
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Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2003), 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999) |
| Communications |
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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175,400 (2002) |
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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389,000 (2002) |
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Telephone system:
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general
assessment: modern system domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones international: country code - 973; 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) |
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998) |
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Television broadcast stations:
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4 (1997) |
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Internet country code:
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.bh |
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Internet hosts:
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1,339 (2002) |
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Internet users:
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165,000 (2002) |
| Transportation |
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Highways:
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total: 3,261
km paved: 2,531 km unpaved: 730 km (2000) |
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Waterways:
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none |
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Pipelines:
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gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003) |
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Ports and harbors:
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Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah |
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Merchant marine:
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total: 6
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 219,083 GRT/312,638 DWT by type: bulk 3, container 2, petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 2 (2003 est.) foreign-owned: Hong Kong 1, Kuwait 1 |
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Airports:
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4 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 3 over 3,047 m: 2 1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2003 est.) |
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2003 est.) |
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Heliports:
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1 (2003 est.) |
| Military |
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Military branches:
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Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, National Guard |
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Military manpower - military age:
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15 years of age (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males age 15-49: 221,661 (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males age 15-49: 121,484 (2004 est.) |
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Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
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males: 6,396 (2004 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$618.1 million (2003) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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7.5% (2003) |
| Transnational Issues |
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Disputes - international:
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none |
This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004