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