| |
| Physical
Characteristics |
| |
|
Bahrain, a group of 33 islands, with
an area of 707 square kilometres, is situated in the
Arabian Gulf, off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. The
local time is GMT + 3 hours.
The state takes its name from the largest
island Bahrain, which is 586.5 square kilometres. It
is linked by causeways to Muharraq (international airport)
and Sitra (industrial area and tank-farm). There are
numerous other tiny islands, but they are mainly uninhabited
and are best known for the variety of migrating birds
which pass through in spring and autumn.
Arabic is the official language,
although English is widely understood and it's
used by most businesses.
Islam is the religion of Bahrain
and is practised by a large, majority . Places of worship
of other faiths exist on the island.
The climate is hot in summer and mild
in winter. From November to April is very pleasant,
with temperatures from 15 to 24 degrees centigrade.
Temperatures are coolest between December and March
when northerly winds prevail. From July to September
temperatures average 36 degrees centigrade with high
humidity.
The annual average rainfall is approximately
77 millimetres.
The Arabian Gulf has an average depth
of only 35 metres and most of it in the vicinity of
Bahrain is much shallower than this. |
| |
| Government |
| |
| H.H. The Amir, Shaikh
Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, came to power on the 6th of
march 1999, following the path of the late Amir. His
Highness the Amir Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has
continued in steering the country towards prosperity,
glory and success. Evidence of the achievement are found
in every sector of the economy and is a source of pride
and inspiration.
The country is widely respected by
the international community for its progressive policies
and programmes, thanks to the judicious leadership of
His Highness and his wise government, led by His Highness
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Sulman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister
and the continuous support of His Highness Shaikh Sulman
Bin Hamad Al Khalifa the Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief
of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Apart from providing a stable government,
it has been an active policy to encourage foreign investment
and support private enterprise
Bahrain became a member of the United
Nations and the Arab League in 1971. In 1981 it joined
its five neighbours - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the
United Arab Emirates and Qatar - to form the strategic
alliance called the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).
Bahrain has an independent legal and
judicial system with a framework of commercial laws
and, on this strength and its well developed infrastructure,
has become an international and GCC arbitration centre.
|
| |
| Geography
|
| |
Bahrain is an archipelago
of 33 islands, with a total land area in excess of 700sq.kms.Its
name is derived from two Arabic words "thnain Bahr"
meaning "two seas" and refers to the phenomenon of sweet
water springs under the sea which mingle with the salty
water.
 |
This phenomenon is believed to be responsible for the
unusual luster of Bahrain's natural pearls, the country's
major economy before the advent of oil. In addition,
the land was once blessed with a remarkable number of
natural springs, which irrigated the fertile north and
western belts for centuries. The central area is low
lying and barren limestone rock covered with saline
sand, which supports only hardiest desert vegetation.
The highest point of Bahrain is the Jabel Dukhan, 134
meters above the sea level. The majority of Bahrain's
oil wells are in this area. The country offers a fascinating
blend of eastern and western cultures as high rise buildings
vie for space with more traditional dwellings and ancient
traditions and historical sites mix with modern developments
and cosmopolitan living. Bahrain's population of around
600,000 consists of a significant percentage of expatriates
from all over the world. Locals and expatriates live
together and interact in a rare bond of fraternity and
brotherhood. Such charms, along with an excellent network
of hotels, apartments and restaurants, attract an increasing
number of regional and international tourists. |
| |
| History
|
| |
Bahrain is rich in
history and ancient civilizations have only recently
been discovered by international archaeologists. Its
 |
believed that for tens of thousands of years, nomads
traveled over Bahrain's desert and primitive flint tolls
found, testify to this history. Recent finds have evidenced
that Bahrain was indeed the site of the lost civilization
of Dilmun dating from the third millennium BC, often
refereed to as the fabled Garden of Eden and described
as "paradise" in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The land is
repeatedly mentioned in Sumerian , Babylonian and Assyrian
inscriptions as an important seaport between Mesopotamia
and the Indus Valley, due to the perennial abundance
of sweet water. By 600BC, Bahrain was absorbed into
the new Babylonian Empire and once again flourished
as a prosperous entreaty. In 323BC, two of "Alexander
the Great" ships arrived and new trade routes opened,
resulting in such a strong Greek influence that Dilmun
was renamed Tylos. Bahrain was also the site of the
largest prehistoric cemetery in the world. At once stage
an estimated 170,000 burial mounds covered the central
and western areas. Archaeological finds of those that
have been uncovered, revealevidence of two distinct
civilizations the Dilmunand Tylos -two thousand years
apart, dating from the third and first millennia, respe |
| |
| Commercial
hours |
| |
| The working week, number
of hours worked and timing vary considerably. Here are
the main commercial hours:
- Government offices: 07.00-14.15 Saturday to Wednesday.
- Commercial organisations: Hours vary but 08.00-15.30
or 08.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.30 are common. Five day
weeks are becoming favoured though many establishments
still work Saturday to Thursday
.
- Shops and supermarkets: Many open 08.30-12.30, 15.30-19.30
six days a week. Markets and shops open Friday mornings
(times vary).
- Commercial banks: 07.30-12.00 Saturday to Wednesday,
and for many branches, 15.30-17.30 on the same afternoons,
07.30-11.00 Thursdays.
During the holy month of Ramadhan, which precedes Eid-Al-Fitra
. When Moslems fast during daylight hours business life
slows measurably and Moslem employees are allowed shorter
working hours than normal. |
| |
| Money
& Currency |
| |
| The Bahraini Dinar is linked with the US
dollar at US$ 1= BD 0.375 and is divided into 1000 fils.
Notes are available in the following denominations: 500
fils (brown), one dinar (red), five dinars (blue), ten
dinars (green), and twenty dinars (peach). Coins come
in units of 10,25, 50, and 100 fils. Money can be changed
easily at any commercial bank or at one of the money changers
found in the Soukh. There are no restrictions on the import
and export of currency. |
| |
| Credit
Cards & Travellers' Cheques |
| |
| Both forms of payments
are widely accepted in hotels and most business establishments,
although some smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash.
Though Bahrain has a very low crime rate, it is still
important to note separately the serial numbers of your
cheques or credit cards and the telephone numbers to
call in case of loss. The following numbers should be
useful in case your card/ cheque is lost or stolen.
Bahrain Monetary Agency
Credit Cards
American Express 228822
Diners Club 530188
Master Card 207485
Visa 207485 |
| |
| News
and Media |
| |
| Ministry of Cabinet Affair and Information |
|
| Arabic Newspaper |
|
| English Newspaper |
|
|
BACK
