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| 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. |
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| Government |
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| 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. |
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| Geography |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| Commercial
hours |
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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. |
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| Money &
Currency |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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News and Media |
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| Ministry of
Cabinet Affair and Information |
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| Bahrain
television |
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| Arabic
Newspaper |
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| English
Newspaper |
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| Cost of Living |
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Comparative Cost of Living |
Country |
Value |
| Bahrain |
87.26 |
Other Cities |
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| New York |
100.00 |
| Frankfurt |
100.68 |
| Paris |
106.33 |
| Jeddah |
100.43 |
| London |
116.05 |
| Dubai |
105.00 |
| Kuwait |
99.45 |
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Source : April 1998 Cost
of Living Index
PE INBUCON Ltd, 34 Paradise Rd, Richmond upon Thames,
Surrey TW9 1SE, England
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