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Bahrain
State of Bahrain
Arabic:
dawlatu bahrayn
INTRODUCTION
1. Political situation
2. Economy
3. Health & Education
4. Religions & Peoples
5. History
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MAJOR CITIES
| Manama |
150,000 |
| Ar-Rifa |
85,000 |
| Al-Muharraq |
60,000 |
| Hammad |
55,000 |
| Madinat Isa |
40,000 |
All figures are 2005 estimates.
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STATUS
| Independent monarchy, divided into 12 municipalities (mintaqa (manatiq)).
Day of independence: August 15, 1971 (from Britain).
December 16, 1971 (from British protection).
| GOVERNMENT
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Head of state: King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa.
Crown prince: Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa.
Prime minister: Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa.
National Assemblies: 20 seats, dissolved since 1975.
| GEOGRAPHY
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Inhabitants: 710,000 (2005 estimate).
Population growth rate: 1.7%
Total area: 707 kmē
Density: 1004 per kmē
Border: No overland borders
Coastline: 161 km.
Highest point: Dukhan Mountain 134 m
Arable land: 4.4%
Capital: Manama
| HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
| World rank (of 177): 39
Index (1.0 max): 0.859
Explanation
| DEMOGRAPHY
| Ethnic groups: Bahraini Arabs, other Arabs, Iranian peoples, Asian peoples.
Languages: Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu.
Religions: Shi'i Islam, Sunni Islam, Hinduism.
| ECONOMY
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Currency: Dinars
1 Dinar=US$2.66. US$1=0.38 (June 2003)
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CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
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.
The elevation is low, with the highest peak being only 134m on the island of Bahrain. 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.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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