Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain, or Bahrain, is a borderless country in the Persian Gulf (Southwest Asia/Middle East, Asia). Saudi Arabia is to the west and is connected to Bahrain by a causeway, and Qatar is to the south across the Gulf of Bahrain.

مملكة البحرين
Mamlakat al Bahrayn

Flag of Bahrain File:Coa bahrain small.jpg (In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: None
Official languages	Arabic
Capital	Manama
King of Bahrain	Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Prime Minister	Khalifa bin Salman Ali Khalifa
Crown Prince of Bahrain	Shaikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 175th 665 km² 0%
Population  - Total (2003)  - Density	Ranked 157th 667,238 987/km²
Independence  - Date	From Persia 1783
Currency	Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
Time zone	UTC+3
National anthem	Bahrainona (Our Bahrain)
Internet TLD	.bh
Calling Code	973

History

Main article: History of Bahrain

Bahrain has been populated by humans since prehistoric times. Its strategic location in the Persian Gulf has brought rule from the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and finally the Arabs, under whom the island became Muslim. Bahrain was in the ancient times known by its Persian name Mishmahig and was a part of the Persian Empire.

The modern history of Bahrain begins with the British meddling in Iranian affairs and the British support for the Al-Khalifa family, who established a power base in the island and built alliances with the British in order to separate the island from Iran. The British gained free access to the Persian Gulf through this agreement. In November of 1957, the Iranian parliament announced Bahrain as the Fourteenth province of Iran. Later the British would directly become involved in the politics of Bahrain by handpicking an emir of the island. Eventually Iran and Britain agreed that the matter of Dominion of Bahrain would be put to international judgment and requested the United Nations General Secretary to take on this responsibility. By a Plebiscite and not a Referendum the British finally succeeded in secession of Bahrain from mainland Iran.

Oil was discovered in the early 20th century and brought rapid modernization and improvements to Bahrain. It also made relations with Britain tighter, and this was evidenced by the British moving more bases to the island nation. British influence would continue to grow, culminating with the appointment of Charles Belgrave as an advisor; Belgrave established modern education systems in Bahrain.

After World War II, increasing anti-British feeling spread throughout the Arab world and led to some riots in Bahrain. The British withdrew from Bahrain in 1971, making it an independent emirate. The oil boom of the 1980s greatly benefitted Bahrain, but its downturn was not as badly felt, as the economy of Bahrain began to diversify.

In the 1990s, increased calls for a representative government pushed the then-emir to form the first cabinet in 1994. While it increased in size as the decade wore on, it was not wholly satisfactory and led to some rioting. The Persian Gulf War also brought a heavy American military presence to Bahrain that remains to this day and is a cause of tension.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Bahrain

Bahrain is a hereditary kingdom under the rule of the Al-Khalifa family. The King is the chief executive and head of state. The prime minister is head of government. Both these posts are filled by members of the Al-Khalifa family, the king being Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister, his uncle Khalifa bin Salman Ali Khalifa. Both rule through consultation with ministers. The judiciary system is relatively independent of the government and is based on diverse legal sources, including Shia and Sunni Islamic law.

The new king has worked to improve civil rights and increase democratic reforms. Municipal elections were held in 2002, and legislative elections will be held in 2004. King Hamad has also stated his intention to have a house of the legislative portion of the government that is composed of delegates elected by both males and females.

Governorates

Main article: Governorates of Bahrain

Bahrain is split into five governorates. Until July 3 2003, it was divided into twelve municipalities; see Municipalities of Bahrain.

• Central
• Capital
• Muharraq
• Northern
• Southern

Geography

Main article: Geography of Bahrain

Map of Bahrain.

Bahrain is an archipelago that is generally flat, and arid.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Bahrain

In Bahrain, petroleum production and processing account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. Economic conditions have fluctuated with the changing fortunes of oil since 1985, for example, during and following the Persian Gulf crisis of 1990-91. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Persian Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Bahrain

The official religion of Bahrain is Islam. Shiite Muslims are the majority, composing about 75% of the population, but the Sunni Muslims dominate the government, military and security forces. Most of the Shiites are from the “Bahaareyneh-gaan”; the decedents of Persian origin population of the ancient Bahrain. There are small indigenous Jewish minorities, and some Christian ones, largely composed of foreign workers. Two thirds of Bahrain's population consists of Arabs while the rest of immigrants and guest workers that are largely from Iran, South Asia and Southeast Asia.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Bahrain

Bahrain holds the Bahrain Grand Prix. In 2004, it was held on April 4.

Holidays

Date	English Name	Local Name	Remarks
January 1	New Year's Day	-	رأس السنة الميلادية
December 16	National Day	-	العيد الوطني
December 17	Accesion Day	-	-
date varies	Feast of the Sacrifice or the Big Feast	Eid ul-Adha	Commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, occurs at the end of the month of hajj
date varies	the Little Feast	Eid ul-Fitr	Commemorates end of Ramadan
date varies	Hijri New Year	Muharram	Islamic New Year
date varies	Al-Isra' ul-Miraj	-	Commemorates Muhammad's trip to heaven
date varies	Prophet Muhammads birthday	Mawlid al-Nabi	-
date varies	Ashoura	death of imam Husain Al Shaheed (AS)	-

See also Big Brother television program.

Education

Main article: Education in Bahrain

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Bahrain
• Islam in Bahrain
• Transportation in Bahrain
• Military of Bahrain
• Foreign relations of Bahrain
• Bahrain International Airport
• List of cities in Bahrain

External links

• official web site
• BahrainWiki
• Bahrain News Agency
• Library of Congress Portals on the World - Bahrain
• CIA - The World Factbook -- Bahrain - CIA's Factbook on Bahrain
• Business news for Bahrain and the region
• Kyle's pictures from Bahrain
• Mishmahig Islands (Bahrain), How it was separated from Iran?
• Personal photos from Bahrain