1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)
Religions
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Roman Catholic 84.5%, other Christian 2.2%, other 0.3%, unknown 9%, none 3.9% (2001 census)
Languages
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official - but locally used)
Exports
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
agricultural products, food products, oil products, chemical products, plastics and rubber, skins and leather, wood and cork, wood pulp and paper, textile materials, clothing, footwear, minerals and mineral products, base metals, machinery and tools, vehicles and other transport material, and optical and precision
External Debt
$14,930,000,000 $
$548,300,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004)
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.6734 (2008 est.), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
4.500%
2.300%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
2
Location
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Area
760 km sq
92,090 km sq
Coastline
161 km
1,793 km
Climate
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
