GENERAL INFORMATION:
Capital: Manama
Population: 616,342 (1997 est.)
Subdivisions:12 municipalities
Population density: 909 per sq km (2352/sq mi)
Distribution: 81% urban, 19% rural.
Land area: 678 sq km (262 sq mi)
Elevations:
Lowest -- sea level
Highest -- 135m (443ft)
Official language : Arabic
Major religion: Islam
Literacy: 77% of adult population (1990)
Life expectancy:
Women 77
Men 72
Universities: Bahrain University, Gulf University
Infant mortality: 15.54 per 1000 live births.
GDP: $8.2 billion (1997 est.)
Foreign trade (1989):
Imports $3.7 billion.
Exports $4.6 billion.
Currency:
Bahrain dinar
1 Bahrain dinar = 1000 fils
$1 = 377 fils
Government: Monarchy.
Legislature: National Assembly (dissolved 1975)
Business hours:Friday is the weekly day of rest. Many businesses close early on
Thursday.
The 36-hour week with Thursday and Friday as weekend applies to all branches of
the Civil Service and schools.
Government offices:07.00-14.15 Sat to Tues;
07.00-14.00 Wed
Commercial organizations:07.00-12.00 then 14.30-17.30 Sat to Thurs
Shops: 08.00-12.30 then 15.30-18.30 Sat to Thurs
Banks: 07.30-12.00 Sat to Wed, then
15.30 -17.30 (some banks);
07.30-11.00 Thurs
Electricity:
220 volts, 50 cycles, AC
throughout Bahrain, except Awali which has 110
volts, 60 cycles International dialling code +973.
Roads (1988): 2614km (1624 mi)
Weights and measures: Metric
Time zone: GMT + 3 hours
International dialling code: +973