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Middle East and North Africa

Bahrain
Last reviewed: 06 February 2012

Country information

Area: 665 sq km
Population: 1,234,596, (Bahrain Central Informatics Organisation figures for 2010), including 666,172 expatriates.  The CIO carried out a national census in 2009.
Capital City: Manama (Al Manamah)
People: Arab, Muslim majority, of whom some 33% are Sunni and 66% are Shia
Languages: Arabic is the official language; English is widely spoken and is the main commercial language
Religion(s): Islam is the state religion; places of worship for other faiths exist
Currency: Bahraini Dinar (BD); 1 Bahraini Dinar = 1,000 fils (tied to the US dollar, BD1=$2.65)
Major political parties: Political Parties are officially banned but Political Associations with the characteristics of parties are allowed.  These include Islamic groupings (Sunni and Shi’a), as well as secular and liberal associations.
Government: Monarchy with appointed Government, appointed upper chamber, and elected lower chamber of Parliament.
Head of State: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Prime Minister: His Royal Highness Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
Crown Prince: His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Deputy Prime Ministers: His Excellency Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, His Excellency Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, His Excellency Jawad Al-Arrayed
Foreign Minister: His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa
Membership of international groups/organisations: Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council, Organisation of the Islamic Conference, United Nations

Country information

Travel Advice

Travel Advice: Bahrain

See also

• UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Bahrain

Useful links

• BBC News Timeline: Bahrain
• United Nations General Assembly
• Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa
• President of the United Nations General Assembly
• British Council: Bahrain