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Area
709 sq km (273 sq miles).
Population
666,442 (Official estimate 1999).
Population Density
937.5 per sq km.
Capital
Manama. Population: 140,401 (1992).
Geography
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian
Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia's east coast and the
Qatar peninsula. At the centre of the island is the
highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain's
oil wells are to be found in this area. The main island
has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh
water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore.
There are extensive date gardens to the north with
irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic
24km- (15-mile) long King Fahd Causeway links Bahrain
with Saudi Arabia.
Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence from
the UK in 1971 (had been a British Protectorate from
1861). Head of State: King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa
al-Khalifa since 1999. Head of Government: Prime
Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa since
1970.
Language
The official language is Arabic. English is widely
spoken.
Religion
Islam is practised by around 85 per cent of Bahraini
society (of which 60 per cent is Shiite and 40 per cent
Sunni). There are also other faiths including
Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and
Buddhism.
Time
GMT + 3.
Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz). Lamp
fittings are of both the bayonet and screw types. Plug
fittings are normally of the 13-amp pin type.
Telephone
Full IDD service is available to over 204 locations.
Country code: 973. Outgoing international code: 00. Blue
phone booths are coin-operated, red booths are phonecard
operated and silver booths are operated by both cards
and coins. Phonecards can be purchased in denominations
of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25 Dinars. Reduced rates are in
operation Mon-Thurs 1900-0700 and all day on Friday.
Facilities are provided for video conferencing, digital
data networks, mobile links and satellite-linked
skyphones for direct communication with airborne
aircraft anywhere in the world.
Mobile Telephone
GSM 900. Network operators include Bahrain
Telecommunications Company (BATELCO), which has handsets
available for hire on a daily, weekly or monthly basis
(website: www.batelco.com.bh).
Fax
BATELCO operates a service from the Batelco Building on
Government Avenue.
Internet
ISPs include BATELCO (website: www.batelco.com.bh) and
GCC Online (website: www.gcconline.com). E-mail
facilities are available in Manama.
Telegram
Bahrain possesses one of the most modern international
communications networks in the Gulf. A 24-hour service
is run by Cable & Wireless, Mercury House, Al-Khalifa
Avenue, Manama, as well as at the airport.
Post
Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The
main post office is near Bab al-Bahrain in Manama;
opening hours Sat-Thurs 0700-1930. Efficient one-day
international courier services operate out of Bahrain.
Press
There are two Arabic dailies Al-Ayam and Akhbar Al
Khaleej. The two English-language dailies are the Gulf
Daily News and Bahrain Tribune. A number of Arabic and
English language business magazines are published
locally.
Radio/Television
Radio Bahrain is broadcast in English 24 hours a day on
96.5 and 101 FM. American Armed Forces Radio can be
heard on 104 FM and 107.9 Khz. There are four
terrestrial channels, two in English (Channel 55 and BBC
World Service) and two Arabic channels.
Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice)
and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be
received. From time to time the frequencies change and
the most up-to-date can be found online.
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