Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general. Prime minister : Freundel Stuart
King: Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah
Population
287,733
1,248,348
Life Expectancy
74.520 years
78.290 years
Capital City
Bridgetown
Manama
Largest city
Bridgetown (population: 98,511)
Manama (population: 147,074)
Human Development Index
0.889
0.902
GDP per capita
$23,700 US
$27,900 US
Literacy Rate
99.7%
86.5%
Corruption Perception Index
7
5.4
Percentage of Women in Parliament
13.7%
13.8%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
12.000%
15.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
Legal
Political System
parliamentary democracy
constitutional monarchy
Independence date
30 November 1966 (from UK)
15 August 1971 (from UK)
Religions
Protestant 63.4% (Anglican 28.3%, Pentecostal 18.7%, Methodist 5.1%, other 11.3%), Roman Catholic 4.2%, other Christian 7%, other 4.8%, none or unspecified 20.6% (2008 est.)
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages
English
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Exports
manufactures, sugar and molasses, rum, other foods and beverages, chemicals, electrical components
petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
External Debt
$668,000,000 $
$14,930,000,000 US
Exchange Rate
Barbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - NA (2007), 2 (2006), 2 (2005), 2 (2004), 2 (2003)
Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.376 (2008 est.), 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004)
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.800%
4.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
0
1
Location
Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Area
430 km sq
760 km sq
Coastline
97 km
161 km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (June to October)
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
