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Modern states /
Bahrain
State of Bahrain
Arabic:
dawlatu bahrayn
Independent monarchy in Asia, one of the smallest Muslim states with a surface area of only 707 km² and 727,000 inhabitants (2009 estimate), of which only 67% are nationals. The capital is Manama. The ruler of Bahrain is since 1999, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
Bahrain has two national days. August 15 commemorates the establishment of the Bahraini state in 1971, whereas Bahrain became independent from the British protectorate on December 16 the same year.
Geography
Bahrain is a densily populated country with 1004 persons per kmē. There are no overland borders, but Bahrain has a bridge connecting to Saudi Arabia. This is also the only overland connection from the country.
Coastline: 161 km, all on the Persian Gulf.
Highest point: Dukhan Mountain 134 m
Arable land: 4.4%
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands, of which the island of Bahrain is the dominating one (90% of the total area). Other important islands are Umm Na'san, Muharraq, Sitra and Hawar Islands. Most of the country is only rocky desert.
Average summer temperature is 34 C°, average during winter is 17 C°. Annual rainfall is below 80 mm, but the humidity is between 70% and 80%.
Modern technology financed by oil revenues has increased the green areas, allowing mainly agriculture but also town parks.
Life
Bahrain is among the Middle Eastern countries performing best on the Human Development Index, coming in as no. 39 of the 177 states that are ranked in the world, scoring 0.859 points out of a maximum of 1.
The currency of Bahrain is dinar (BHD), a currency which is fixed to the US dollar at 1 Dinar=US$2.66, and US$1=0.38.
Bahrain's GDP/capita is as high as US$37,200 (2008 estimate), and considering the high percentage of foreign workers, 15% unemployment rate.
Bahrain's population growth rate is relatively high at 1.3%, which is principally a reflection of traditional lifestyles still dominating the Bahraini family. Bahrain has an excellent health care system, and life expectancy is around 75 years.
Being a country with an economy of foreign workers, Bahrain has numerous ethnic groups represented. The indigenous population is similar to the Saudi Arabian, Arabs, but there is also a longer-lasting Persian presence.
Arabic and Persian are the two local languages. English is widely spoken and the language most often used between immigrants and locals.
The dominating form of Islam in Bahrain is Shi'ism, although there is a substantial minority of Sunnis. Due to foreign workers, Hinduism challenges Christianity at being the second largest religion.
Bahrain's modern history is apparently short, but the island has been home of civilizations for more than 400 years, beginning with Dilmun.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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