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. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain
has turned to petroleum processing and refining
and has transformed itself into an international
banking center. The new amir, installed in 1999,
has pushed economic and political reforms and
has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a
community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters
approved a referendum on the National Action
Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political
liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir
HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself
king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members
of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted
bicameral legislature, the National Assembly.
Geography
Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian
Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Area: total: 665 sq km, land: 665 sq km, water:
0 sq km
Climate: arid; mild, pleasant winters; very
hot, humid summers
Natural resources:
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas,
fish, pearls
People
Population: 677,886 includes 235,108 non-nationals
(July 2004 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 28.4% (male 97,179;
female 95,043)
15-64 years: 68.4% (male 271,015; female 192,342)
65 years and over: 3.3% (male 11,426; female
10,881) (2004 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.56% (2004 est.)
Birth Rate:
18.54 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
Death rate: 4.03 deaths/1,000 population (2004
est.)
Net migration rate: 1.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2004 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.41 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.27 male(s)/female (2004
est.)
Ethnic Groups:
Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian
8%
Religions:
Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
Languages:
Arabic, English, Farsi etc.
