Bahrain
The Kingdom of
Bahrain is a country located in the Middle East, in southwestern Asia. It is made up of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands, lying along the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain has an area of 300.5 square miles (778.4 square kilometers), and as of 2023, its estimated population was 1.6 million people.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama. Arabic is the official language, and Islam is the official religion of the country. The currency used is the Bahraini dinar, with one US dollar currently equal to 0.376 dinar.
The government of Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy, led by a king who serves as the head of state, and a prime minister who is the head of government. The parliament consists of two bodies: the Shura Council, with 401 members, and the Council of Representatives, with 40 members.
Bahrain’s economy is largely based on natural gas and petroleum production and refining; it is a developing mixed economy, comprising both state and private enterprise. Most of the population is Arab.
The main island of Bahrain is around 30 miles (50 km) long and 10 miles (16 km) wide, accounting for seven-eighths of the total area. It is connected to Saudi Arabia by a 15-mile (24-km) causeway. The highest point of elevation is Al-Dukhān Hill, at 440 feet (134 m).
In terms of life expectancy, the average male lifespan in 2019 was 77 years old, while the average female lifespan was 81.6. In 2010, 92% of males and 89% of females aged 15 and over were literate. The gross national income per capita in 2019 was US$22,170.