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Area
709 sq km (273 sq miles).
Population
666,442 (Official estimate 1999).
Capital
Manama. Population: 140,401 (1992).
Geography
Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf,
situated between Saudi Arabias east coast and the Qatar
peninsula. At the centre of the island is the highest point,
Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrains 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 Fahad 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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