Bahrain Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 25, 2020

Bahrain, State of the Persian Gulf; 678 km², 1.6 million residents (2019).Bahrain, which consists of some thirty islands, is located northwest of Qatar, just over 20 km from the east coast of Saudi Arabia. Bahrain is also the name of the largest island, which occupies 7/8 of Bahrain’s surface, where the country’s capital Manama (157,500 residents, 2010) is located.

Country facts

Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn / Kingdom of Bahrain
Country abbreviation: Bra
Area: 678 km²
Population (2019): 1.6 million residents
Capital: Manama
Main languages: Arabic
State: Monarchy
Head of State: Shaykh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa (King)
Head of Government: Shaykh Khahifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 24,051
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 21,890
Currency unit: 1 dinar = 100 fils
Currency code: BHD
Country number (telephony): 973
Internet domain name: bra
Time difference compared to Sweden: +2
National Day: December 16 (Independence Day, 1971)

Nature

Land use: agricultural land (3%), other (97%)
Highest mountain: Jabal ad-Dukhan (135 m asl)

Population

Population density (2019): 2 360 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.2%; birth rate 14 ‰, death rate 2 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (20%), 15-64 (77%), 65- (3%)
Average life expectancy (2019): men 76 years, women 78 years
Infant mortality (2019): 6 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 2 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.846 (place 43 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 89%
Most populous cities (2010): Manama (157,500 residents), Rifa (121,600)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): industry (39%), service (61%)
Exports (2017): US $ 15 380 million
Main export product: oil
Main exporting countries: United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia
Imports (2017): US $ 16,080 million
Main import products: crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Main Importing Countries: China, United Arab Emirates, USA
Railway network: nothing in operation

Bahrain, which consists of some thirty islands, is located northwest of Qatar. While all the smaller islands are only a few meters above sea level, the main island is taller and more hilly. The climate is hot and dry.

The country has since 2002 a parliament with two chambers. In reality, however, power remains with the king. From 1602 Bahrain was ruled by Persians, but was conquered in 1783 by the Bedouin tribe Al Khalifa from the Arabian Peninsula. Since then, the Khalifa dynasty has ruled the country. Bahrain became independent in 1971.

Oil was discovered in 1932, which gave the country an economic boost and has long been the backbone of the economy. Bahrain has a form of mixed economy, where the state wholly or partly owns all the oil and natural gas and heavy industries, while light industry, construction and trade and finance are privately owned. Oil reserves are limited, which has meant that efforts have been made to broaden business; inter alia major investments have been made in the tourism industry.