3502 International Drive, NW,

Washington DC 20008

Telephone: (202) 342-0741

Fax: (202) 362-2192

E-mail: info@bahrainembassy.org

URL: http://www.bahrainembassy.org

Country Information
Key Data
Region
Middle East

Population
629,090 (July 2000 Estimate)

Area Total
620 km

Area Land
620 km

Coastline
161 km

Climate
Arid; mild,
pleasant winters;
very hot, humid summers

Languages
Arabic
English
Farsi
Urdu

Currency
1 Bahraini dinar (BD) = 1000 fils

Holiday
Independence Day
16 December (1971)

Ethnic Divisions
Bahraini 63 %
Asian 19 %
Other Arab 10 %
Iranian 8 %

Religions
Shi'a Muslim 75 %
Sunni Muslim 25 %

Largest Cities
City - Population Estimated
Manama 136,999
Muharraq 74,254
Rifa 45,596


People
Bahrain's two principal cities, Manama and al-Muharraq, host the majority of the island's 600,000 inhabitants.

History
Historically, Bahrain was once part of the ancient civilization of Dilmun and served as an important link in trade routes between the kingdom of Sumeria and the Indus Valley as long as 5,000 years ago.

Economy
In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP.

Agriculture
The agriculture sector in Bahrain contributes 1.0% of the GDP and employs an estimated 2.3% of the labor force.

Energy
Petroleum and natural gas, the only significant natural resources in Bahrain, dominate the economy and provide about 60% of budget revenues.

Metals
The principal natural resources in the mining area are oil and natural gas.

Environment
Industrialization has stressed the natural resources of Bahrain.