rate: 6.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.) Infant mortality rate: 19 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.51 years male: 71.1 years female: 76.05 years (1994 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.96 children born/woman (1994 est.) Nationality: noun: Bahraini(s) adjective: Bahraini Ethnic divisions: Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6% Religions: Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30% Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 77% male: 82% female: 69% Labor force: 140,000 by occupation: industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982) note: 42% of labor force is Bahraini
@Bahrain, Government
Names:
conventional long form:
State of Bahrain
conventional short form:
Bahrain
local long form:
Dawlat al Bahrayn
local short form:
Al Bahrayn
Digraph:
BA
Type:
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Manama
Administrative divisions:
12 districts (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, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, Sitrah
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 December (1961)
Constitution:
26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and English common law
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Amir ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent
HAMAD bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (son of the Amir, born 28 January
1950)
head of government:
Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970)
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and
legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory
Council established 16 December 1992
Judicial branch:
High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and
Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,
ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohammad ABD al-GHAFFAR
chancery:
3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 342–0741 or 342–0742
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
(vacant); Charge d'Affaires David S. ROBINS
embassy:
Road No. 3119 (next to Alahli Sports Club), Zinj District, Manama
mailing address:
FPO AE 09834–5100; P.O. Box 26431, Manama
telephone:
[973] 273–300
FAX:
(973) 272–594
Flag:
red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side
@Bahrain, Economy
Overview:
Petroleum production and processing account for about 80% 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 Gulf crisis of 1990–91.
Bahrain with its highly developed communication and transport
facilities is home to numerous multinational firms with business in
the Gulf. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made
from imported crude. Prospects for 1994 are good, with private
enterprise the main driving force, e.g., in banking and construction.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $6.8 billion (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
4% (1993 est.)
National product per capita:
$12,000
