Bahrain

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. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community.

• arid;
• mild, pleasant winters;
• very hot, humid summers

• 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;
• no natural fresh water resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for all water needs

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

0-14 years:

30% (male 96,240; female 93,846)

15-64 years:

67% (male 252,767; female 173,072)

65 years and over:

3% (male 9,270; female 8,942) (2000 est.)

at birth:

1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:

1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

1.46 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

1.04 male(s)/female

total population:

1.3 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

noun:

Bahraini(s)

adjective:

Bahraini

conventional long form:

State of Bahrain

conventional short form:

Bahrain

local long form:

Dawlat al Bahrayn

local short form:

Al Bahrayn

• 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

chief of state:

Amir 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 monarch is hereditary;
• prime minister appointed by the monarch

• unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet;
• appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992

• Shi'a activists have fomented unrest sporadically since late 1994, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment;
• several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

chief of mission:

Ambassador Dr. Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR Abdallah

chancery:

3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:

[1] (202) 342-0741

FAX:

[1] (202) 362-2192

consulate(s) general:

New York

chief of mission:

Ambassador Johnny YOUNG

embassy:

Building Number 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 311, 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

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

• fruit, vegetables;
• poultry, dairy products;
• shrimp, fish

total:

3,164 km

paved:

2,433 km

unpaved:

731 km (1998 est.)

note: there is a paved causeway connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia

• crude oil 56 km;
• petroleum products 16 km;
• natural gas 32 km