Islamic countries

General Information

Total Land Area:	690 km²
Land boundaries:	0 km
Coastline:	161 km
Capital:	Manama
Other Large Cities:	Ar Rifa, Al-Muharraq, Madinat Isa
Official Language:	Arabic
National Currency Unit:	Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
National Day:	December 16

Location and Geography

Bahrain, a group of 36 small islands, is situated in the Arabian Gulf about 24 km from the East coast of Saudi Arabia, and 28 km from the West coast of Qatar. The name ‘Bahrain’ is derived from two Arabic words ‘thnain Bahr’ meaning ‘two seas’. There are numerous other tiny islands but they are mostly uninhabited and known for the variety of migrating birds which pass through in spring and autumn. The terrain consists mostly of low desert plains rising gently to low central escarpment. The islands are linked by causeways and, in some cases, roads. The climate is arid characterised by pleasant winters and very hot humid summers.

Demography

Population:	0.67 million (2002)
Crude Birth Rate:	20 per thousand people (2002)
Crude Death Rate:	3 per thousand people (2002)
Infant Mortality Rate:	7 per thousand (2002)
Life Expectancy:	Male: 73 years, Female: 76 years (2001)
Urban Population:	90.0 percent (2001)
Adult Literacy:	87.90 percent (2001)

Economy

Bahrain is a well-known offshore banking centre and international and regional inter-bank money market. Production of oil and natural gas and refinement of petroleum are also major economic activities in Bahrain. Industrialisation and private sector investment in sectors such as tourism are encouraged. The majority of Bahrain’s food is imported, but agriculture also contributes to the local food supply. Dates, bananas, mangoes, and vegetables are the main crops. The traditional industries of Bahrain are dhow (Arab sailboats) construction, fishing, pearling, and the manufacture of reed mats.

GDP at Current Market Prices:	7602 million US$ (2002)
Per Capita GDP:	11312 US$ (2002)
Share of Sectors in GDP:	1.0% Agriculture, 40.0% Industry, 59.0% Services, (2000)
Total Exports:	7600 million US$ (2002)
Total Imports:	3943 million US$ (2002)
Major Exports Items:	Petroleum products and aluminum
Major Imports Items:	Crude oil
Major Trading Partners:	Japan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Australia, US, and India