Background:
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In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community. Shia political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
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Location:
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Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
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Geographic coordinates:
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26 00 N, 50 33 E
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Map references:
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Middle East
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Area:
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total: 741 sq km
country comparison to the world: 190
land:
741 sq km
water:
0 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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161 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone:
24 nm
continental shelf:
extending to boundaries to be determined
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Climate:
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Current Weather
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
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Terrain:
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mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:
Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
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Natural resources:
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oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.82%
permanent crops:
5.63%
other:
91.55% (2005)
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Irrigated land:
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40 sq km (2003)
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Total renewable water resources:
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0.1 cu km (1997)
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Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
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total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)
per capita:
411 cu m/yr (2000)
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Natural hazards:
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periodic droughts; dust storms
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Environment - current issues:
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desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources (groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs)
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note:
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close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
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Population:
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738,004
country comparison to the world: 163
note:
includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 25.4% (male 94,819/female 92,799)
15-64 years:
70.4% (male 296,942/female 222,669)
65 years and over:
4.2% (male 16,356/female 14,419) (2010 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 30.4 years
male:
33.5 years
female:
27.1 years (2010 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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1.243% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
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Birth rate:
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16.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
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Death rate:
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4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
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Urbanization:
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urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization:
1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.33 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.13 male(s)/female
total population:
1.24 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 126
male:
17.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
12.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 75.4 years
country comparison to the world: 84
male:
72.87 years
female:
78.01 years (2010 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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2.47 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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fewer than 600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
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Nationality:
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noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective:
Bahraini
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Ethnic groups:
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Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
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Religions:
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Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
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Languages:
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Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
86.5%
male:
88.6%
female:
83.6% (2001 census)
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School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
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total: 15 years
male:
14 years
female:
16 years (2006)
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Education expenditures:
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3.9% of GDP (1991)
country comparison to the world: 112
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form:
Bahrain
local long form:
Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form:
Al Bahrayn
former:
Dilmun
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Government type:
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constitutional monarchy
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Capital:
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name: Manama
geographic coordinates:
26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference:
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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Administrative divisions:
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5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat
note:
each governorate administered by an appointed governor
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Independence:
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15 August 1971 (from the UK)
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National holiday:
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National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
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Constitution:
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adopted 14 February 2002
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Legal system:
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based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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20 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)
head of government:
Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa (since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website  )
elections:
the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms)
elections:
Council of Representatives - last held in November-December 2006 (next election to be held in November 2010)
election results:
Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by society as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1
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Judicial branch:
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High Civil Appeals Court
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Political parties and leaders:
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political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
other:
several small leftist and other groups are active
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International organization participation:
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ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Houda Ibrahim Ezra NUNU
chancery:
3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 342-1111
FAX:
[1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general:
New York
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph Adam ERELI
embassy:
Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address:
PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone:
[973] 1724-2700
FAX:
[973] 1727-0547
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Flag description:
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red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
note:
until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
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Economy - overview:
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Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy, however, continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries). Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance, and construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center for Islamic banking. Future economic growth hinges on Bahrain's ability to acquire new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help reduce unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic growth for Bahrain. Lower oil prices also caused Bahrain's budget to slip back into deficit for the first time since 2002, prompting Bahrain to issue an emergency budget supplement and finance its deficits with bonds.
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GDP (purchasing power parity):
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$27.99 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
$27.2 billion (2008 est.)
$25.59 billion (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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GDP (official exchange rate):
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$19.59 billion (2009 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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2.9% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
6.3% (2008 est.)
8.4% (2007 est.)
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GDP - per capita (PPP):
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$38,400 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$37,800 (2008 est.)
$36,100 (2007 est.)
note:
data are in 2009 US dollars
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 0.5%
industry:
56.6%
services:
42.9% (2009 est.)
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Labor force:
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595,000
country comparison to the world: 155
note:
44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2009 est.)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture: 1%
industry:
79%
services:
20% (1997 est.)
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Unemployment rate:
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15% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
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Population below poverty line:
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NA%
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%:
NA%
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Investment (gross fixed):
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33.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
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Budget:
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revenues: $5.59 billion
expenditures:
$5.777 billion (2009 est.)
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Public debt:
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36.3% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
26.6% of GDP (2008 est.)
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
7% (2008 est.)
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Commercial bank prime lending rate:
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NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 109
8.35% (31 December 2007)
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Stock of money:
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$4.997 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 66
$4.169 billion (31 December 2007)
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Stock of quasi money:
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$12.71 billion (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 60
$10.63 billion (31 December 2007)
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Stock of domestic credit:
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$NA (31 December 2008)
$10.32 billion (31 December 2007)
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Market value of publicly traded shares:
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$16.93 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 61
$21.18 billion (31 December 2008)
$28.13 billion (31 December 2007)
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Agriculture - products:
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fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
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Industries:
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petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
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Industrial production growth rate:
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-1.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
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Electricity - production:
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10.25 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
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Electricity - consumption:
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10.1 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2008 est.)
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Oil - production:
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48,560 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
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Oil - consumption:
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39,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
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Oil - exports:
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238,300 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
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Oil - imports:
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228,400 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
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Oil - proved reserves:
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124.6 million bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
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Natural gas - production:
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12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
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Natural gas - consumption:
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12.64 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
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Natural gas - exports:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
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Natural gas - imports:
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
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Natural gas - proved reserves:
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92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
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Current account balance:
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$1.362 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$2.257 billion (2008 est.)
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Exports:
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$12.65 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
$17.49 billion (2008 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
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Exports - partners:
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India 4.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.78% (2009)
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Imports:
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$10.95 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$14.25 billion (2008 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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crude oil, machinery, chemicals
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Imports - partners:
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Saudi Arabia 22.91%, France 9.76%, US 7.95%, China 6.4%, South Korea 5.26%, Japan 5.19%, Germany 5.01%, UK 4.34% (2009)
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Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
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$3.465 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
$3.803 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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Debt - external:
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$10.87 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
$10.33 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
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$16.18 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
$15.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
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$10.04 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$9.34 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
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Exchange rates:
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Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2009), 0.376 (2008), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005)
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Telephones - main lines in use:
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220,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 123
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Telephones - mobile cellular:
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1.4 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 137
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Telephone system:
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general assessment: modern system
domestic:
modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones
international:
country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007)
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Radio broadcast stations:
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AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
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Television broadcast stations:
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4 (1997)
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Internet country code:
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.bh
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Internet hosts:
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51,489 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 82
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Internet users:
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402,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 112
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Airports:
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3 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 191
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 3
over 3,047 m:
2
2,438 to 3,047 m:
1 (2009)
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Heliports:
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1 (2009)
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Pipelines:
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gas 20 km; oil 32 km (2009)
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Roadways:
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total: 3,851 km
country comparison to the world: 158
paved:
3,121 km
unpaved:
730 km (2007)
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Merchant marine:
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total: 9
country comparison to the world: 114
by type:
bulk carrier 4, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
foreign-owned:
6 (Kuwait 5, UAE 1) (2008)
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Ports and terminals:
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Mina' Salman, Sitrah
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Military branches:
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Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard
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Military service age and obligation:
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17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2008)
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Manpower available for military service:
|
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males age 16-49: 208,365
females age 16-49:
174,375 (2010 est.)
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Manpower fit for military service:
|
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males age 16-49: 170,633
females age 16-49:
146,243 (2010 est.)
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Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
|
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male: 6,590
female:
6,475 (2010 est.)
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Military expenditures:
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4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 20
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| Transnational Issues ::Bahrain |
Disputes - international:
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none
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Trafficking in persons:
|
|
current situation: Bahrain is a destination country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of involuntary servitude and commercial sexual exploitation; men and women from Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia migrate voluntarily to Bahrain to work as laborers or domestic servants where some face conditions of involuntary servitude such as unlawful withholding of passports, restrictions on movements, non-payment of wages, threats, and physical or sexual abuse; women from Thailand, Morocco, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia are trafficked to Bahrain for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation
tier rating:
Tier 2 Watch List - Bahrain is on the Tier 2 Watch List for failing to show evidence of increased efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly efforts that enforce laws against trafficking in persons, and that prevent the punishment of victims of trafficking; during 2007, Bahrain passed a comprehensive law prohibiting all forms of trafficking in persons; the government also established a specialized anti-trafficking unit within the Ministry of Interior to investigate trafficking crimes; however, the government did not report any prosecutions or convictions for trafficking offenses during 2007, despite reports of a substantial problem of involuntary servitude and sex trafficking (2008)
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