The official name is the Kingdom of Bahrain (Mamlakat al-Bahrain, Kingdom of Bahrain). It is located on the archipelago of the same name in Southwest Asia in the middle part of the southern coast of the Persian Gulf.
The area is 707 km2, the population is 650.604 thousand people. (2001). The official language is Arabic. The capital is the city of Manama (153.395 thousand people, 2001). Public holiday – National Day December 16 (since 1971). The monetary unit is the Bahraini dinar (equal to 1000 fils).
Member of the UN (since 1971), Arab League (since 1945), UNESCO (since 1971), UNIDO (since 1971), etc.
Geography of Bahrain
Located between 50°22′ and 50°42′ east longitude and 25°46′ and 26°18′ north latitude. The Bahrain archipelago is located in the middle part of the Persian Gulf in the center of the Bahrain Bay and includes a total of more than 30 islands and islets. Bahrain is the central island of the archipelago. Area approx. 622 km2. The coastline of Bahrain is a chain of sandy beaches. At the southern end of the island, the coastal sands form a long spit (Ras El Barr). Sand dunes dominate on the northwest coast. In the western part, the sands are often replaced by patches of bare rocky steppe, which, near the shore, turns into saline swamps. Finally, in the northeast, a rocky ridge rises above the coastal sands, forming the peninsula of Ras Er Ruman. All other islands and islets of the archipelago differ from the island of Bahrain in their small size,
Bahrain has maritime borders with countries: in the east and northeast with Iran, in the south and southeast with Qatar, in the west with Saudi Arabia.
The flora of the Bahraini archipelago is relatively diverse. Such drought-resistant plants as saxaul, camel’s thorn, tamarisk, astragalus, etc. grow in deserts. Oases with date palm and other crops are common near groundwater outlets. Birds, rodents and reptiles predominate among the rather poor fauna. In coastal waters, approx. 400 species of fish, incl. commercial. Sea turtles are common. Coral reefs abound with crabs, lobsters, shrimps, shellfish, incl. pearls. Large species diversity of corals (more than 2000 species). Bahrain has insignificant oil reserves, which, according to 2002 data, are estimated at 130 million barrels. Natural gas reserves, according to 2001 data, were estimated at 92 billion m3. The climate of the country is transitional from tropical to subtropical. The average temperature in July-August is +37°С, in January +16°С. In total, 90 mm of precipitation falls annually, but the humidity of the air is very high, especially in April-September.
Bahrain population
According to Countryaah, the population of Bahrain in 1981-2001 increased almost 2 times (1981 350.798 thousand people, 1991 508.037 thousand people, 2001 650.604 thousand people). The annual population growth rate was: in 1981-91 3.6%, in 1991-2001 2.7%, incl. indigenous people, respectively, 2.9 and 2.5%. The birth rate in Bahrain was 20.2‰, the death rate was 3.0‰, and the infant mortality rate was 16 people. per 1000 newborns (2000). Average life expectancy is 73.47 years, incl. men 71.05 years, women – 75.96 years (2002). In Bahrain, the male population predominates over the female population (men 373,649; women 276,955). According to the 2001 census, the age structure of Bahrain is: 0-14 years old – 29.2%, 15-64 years old – 67.7%, 65 years and older – 3.1%. St. 80% of the population lives in cities, 50% of the population is concentrated in the three main cities of Bahrain: Manama, Muharraq and Rif El-Gharbi. The educational level of the population of Bahrain is quite high. All R. 1990s illiteracy was 22.6%.
By ethnic origin, the Bahraini population is heterogeneous: 62.4% – the indigenous Arab population, 37.6% foreigners – representatives of 22 nationalities, incl. Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians, Japanese. Languages: Arabic, Persian, English and Urdu.
The state religion is Islam, it is practiced by approx. 90% of the population, 60% of which are Shiites and 40% are Sunnis. There are also Christians, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists.
Science and culture of Bahrain
Bahrain has two universities. The leading institution of higher education is the University of Bahrain (5 faculties). The second most important is the University of the Gulf States (2 faculties). The total number of students is 24,760 thousand (2001), teachers 7,172 thousand. In 2001, 11.3% of the budget was spent on education.
The cultural heritage of Bahrain is closely linked to Islamic traditions. Contemporary literature reflects the social and political reality of Bahraini society. The fine arts of Bahrain are notable for having their own “independent Bahraini style” in painting and sculpture. The main attractions of Bahrain include a masterpiece of Islamic architecture – the Great Friday Mosque in Manama, the Koran House, the National Museum.
