About Bahrain
Bahrain’s reputation as a relatively liberal and modern Arabian Gulf state has made it a favorite with travellers in the region and an excellent introduction to the Gulf. While their neighbours staked everything on oil, Bahrainis diversified their economy and created some of the region’s best education and health systems. Years of British influence have made English widely spoken. Development has been swift, but it hasn’t swallowed up everything. Site of one of the oldest civilisations in the world and thought by some to be the site of the Garden of Eden, Bahrain is packed with archaeological digs, historical museums, dhow building yards and back-street souks.
- Area: 707 sq km (274 sq mi)
- Population: 600,000
- Capital city: Manama (pop 175,000)
- People: Bahraini (63%), Asian (13%), Iranian (8%), other Arab (10%)
- Language: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
- Religion: Shi’a Muslim (70%), Sunni Muslim (15%), other religions and indigenous beliefs
- Government: Absolute monarchy
- Head of state: Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Isa Al Khalifah
- Head of government: Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa
- Crown Prince: Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa
- GDP: US$7.7 billion
- GDP per head: US$13,000
- Annual growth: 3%
- Inflation: 0%
- Major industries: Petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, insurance & re-insurance, tourism
- Major trading partners: Saudi Arabia, India, US, Japan, UAE
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by all except:
- Passport holders of AGCC (Arabian Gulf Cooperation Council) States, (i.e. nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).
- Citizens of the UK for a maximum of 4 weeks(providing they hold a passport with at least 6 months validity).
- Those continuing their onward journey within 72 hours, hold confirmed tickets, and appropriate travel documents and on condition they remain within the transit area. (a fee of BD. 0.500 will be charged)*
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