Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
In 1783, the Sunni 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. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has become an international banking center. 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. The Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar protests at home with police and military action. The aftermath led to modest reforms, though continued dissatisfaction by Bahraini oppositionists with the extent of the reforms, has led to a broader dialogue between government officials, political societies, and legislators.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Middle East
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 760 sq km
country comparison to the world: 188
land: 760 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
161 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 1.79%
permanent crops: 3.95%
other: 94.26% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.15 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.12 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.36 cu km/yr (50%/6%/45%)
per capita: 386 cu m/yr (2003)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
periodic droughts; dust storms
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bahraini 46%, non-Bahraini 54% (2010 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,281,332 July 2013 est.
country comparison to the world: 157
note: includes 235,108 non-nationals
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 20% (male 130,097/female 126,067)
15-24 years: 15.9% (male 113,973/female 89,602)
25-54 years: 56.2% (male 472,537/female 247,873)
55-64 years: 5.2% (male 43,884/female 23,352)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 16,262/female 17,685) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 30.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 27.3 %
elderly dependency ratio: 2.9 %
potential support ratio: 34.3 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 31.4 years
male: 32.8 years
female: 28.6 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.57% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.16 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.65 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 223
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 88.7% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
MANAMA (capital) 262,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.26 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.54 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 139
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.93 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 144
male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 78.43 years
country comparison to the world: 52
male: 76.28 years
female: 80.63 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.83 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61.8% (1995)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 168
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.49 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.9% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 20
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 142
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.6%
male: 96.1%
female: 91.6% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 5,530
percentage: 5 % (2000 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28.3%
country comparison to the world: 31
male: 25.7%
female: 32.6% (2004)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
former: Dilmun, State of Bahrain
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Manama
geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Asamah (Capital), Janubiyah (Southern), Muharraq, Shamaliyah (Northern), Wasat (Central)
note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
adopted 14 February 2002; amended 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of Islamic law, English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20 years of age; universal; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999); 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); First Deputy Prime Minister SALMAN bin Hamad Al Khalifa (since 11 March 2013); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim al-ARAIDH, KHALID bin Abdallah Al Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral National Assembly consists of the Shura Council or 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 two rounds on 23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014); byelections to fill 18 vacated seats held in two rounds on 24 September and 1 October 2011
election results: Council of Representatives (2010) - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asalah (Sunni Salafi) 3, Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17; Council of Representatives byelection for 18 seats vacated by Wifaq (2011) - seats by society - independent Sunni 8, independent Shia 8, other 2; note - Bahrain has societies rather than parties
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of a president and 6 members)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Cassation and Constitutional Court judges appointed by royal decree and serve for a specified tenure
subordinate courts: High Court of Appeal; middle and lower civil courts; higher and lower shariah courts, and the High Shariah Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
note: political parties are prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
progovernment:
oppositon:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Sunni:
Shia:
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Shaikh ABDULLA Mohamed Rashed Al Khalifa (since 3 December 2013)
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas C. KRAJESKI (since 26 October 2011)
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
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bahrain has taken great strides in diversifying its economy and its 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. 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 and continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In 2011 and 2012, Bahrain experienced economic setbacks as a result of domestic unrest, however, several factors indicate that the economy is beginning to recover, such as the return of the formula one race and tourist cruise ships to Bahrain. Economic policies aimed at restoring confidence in Bahrain's economy, such as the suspension of an expatriate labor tax and frequent bailouts of Gulf Air, will make Bahrain's foremost long-term economic challenges - youth unemployment and the growth of government debt - more difficult to address.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$33.03 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.75 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$28,700 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 38.3%
government consumption: 14.6%
investment in fixed capital: 19.5%
investment in inventories: 0.8%
exports of goods and services: 75.3%
imports of goods and services: -48.5%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.3%
industry: 48.1%
services: 51.6% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-1.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
655,300
country comparison to the world: 153
note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 1%
industry: 79%
services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $8.07 billion
expenditures: $8.673 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 94
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-2.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.05% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.944 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.38 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$22.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.15 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 63
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.221 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$20.39 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saudi Arabia 3.3%, India 2.2%, UAE 2.2%, South Korea 2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$13.24 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Saudi Arabia 27.4%, US 9.6%, China 9.5%, Japan 6.4%, India 4.9%, France 4.7% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.211 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$27.54 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$16.83 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.699 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.16 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.97 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
214 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.169 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49,160 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
152,600 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
256,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
124.6 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 68
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
270,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
51,450 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
226,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.62 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12.77 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
92.03 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 56
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.7 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
290,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 118
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.125 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 144
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state-run Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks and several radio stations; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bh
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47,727 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 97
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
419,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 122
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 184
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 20 km; oil 54 km (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,122 km
country comparison to the world: 156
paved: 3,392 km
unpaved: 730 km (2010)
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8
country comparison to the world: 119
by type: bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 2
foreign-owned: 5 (Kuwait 5)
registered in other countries: 5 (Honduras 5) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (RBA), Royal Bahraini Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Royal Bahraini Air Defense Force (RBADF) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 508,863
females age 16-49: 290,801 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 423,757
females age 16-49: 245,302 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 8,988
female: 8,117 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 20
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none