Bahrain Travel Guide

Bahrain — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Middle East, Gulf Coast.
Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken.
Area: 710.9 sq km (274.5 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz).
Population: 718,300 (2008 estimate).
Population Density: 1096 per sq km.
Capital City: Manama. Population: 155,000 (2008 estimate).
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1971 (had been a British Protectorate from 1861).
Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa since 1971.
Head of State: King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa since 1999.
Religion: Islam. Most Bahrainis (60%) are Shi'ite Muslims although there is a sizeable minority of Sunnis, including the Royal family.

Recent History

In 2002, Bahrain became a constitutional monarchy with a fully elected parliament in which both men and women are eligible to vote and stand for office. There is also a system in place to ensure transparency of government finances which has helped Bahrain compete to become the region's leading offshore banking and commercial hub.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +973. Blue phone booths are coin-operated, red booths are phonecard operated and silver booths are operated by both cards and coins. Facilities are provided for video conferencing, digital data networks and mobile links.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is average.

Internet

Available in large towns and resorts.

Media

Bahrain's domestic radio and television stations are state-run. Some households have satellite TV. Bahrain is keen to promote itself as a regional media hub, and the London-based pan-Arab satellite broadcaster MBC chose Bahrain as the base for its MBC-2 channel. Journalists have the legal right to operate independently and freely, but can be imprisoned for some offenses, which include insulting the king. Self-censorship is practiced.

Post

Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The main post office is near Bab al-Bahrain in Manama. Efficient one-day international courier services operate out of Bahrain.Sat-Thurs 0700-1930.

Press

• Private daily newspapers include Al-Ayam and Al-Wasat.
• Leading newspapers in English are Bahrain Tribune and the Gulf Daily News.

Radio

• Bahrain Radio & Television Corporation (BRTC) is state-run and operates General Program in Arabic.
• Second Program deals with cultural and local issues.
• Other stations include Holy Koran Program, Radio Bahrain, which is an English-language service, and Sports Service.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
16 Dec National Day (two days)

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
15 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
26 Nov Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year)
5 Dec Ashoura
16 Dec National Day (two days)

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year)
24 Nov Ashoura
16 Dec National Day (two days)
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.