| The King |
His Majesty the King, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| Capital |
Manama |
| Land Area |
711.9 square kilometers |
| Location |
Lies between the east coast of Saudi Arabia and the Qatar peninsula at a latitude of 26° North |
| Population |
2001 estimates: Total - 650604. |
| Climate |
Summer: July-September, very hot and humid (Avg. 36°C). Winter: December to February, cool or mild with occasional rain (10°C - 20°C). Remaining months: March to May and October to November, warm with occasional pleasant breezes (20°C - 30°C). |
| Time |
Three hours ahead of GMT (+3GMT) |
| Language |
Arabic is the official language although English is widely used for business purposes and is usually understood. |
| Religion |
Islam is practised by 85% of the population. However freedom of worship is permitted to other faiths including Hinduism, Parseeism, Judaism, Buddisim and Christianity. |
| Currency |
Bahraini Dinar (BD), constituted of 1000 fils. Fixed against the US dollar at 1US$ = BD0.3768 |
| Bank Notes |
500 fils, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Dinar |
| Coins |
5, 10, 25, 50,100 and 500 fils |
| Business Hours |
Government offices - 07:00-14:15 (Saturday-Tuesday), 07:00-14:00 (Wednesday).
Banks - 07:30-12 noon (Saturday-Thursday), selected branches also open a few hours some afternoons
Central Post Office (Manama, near Bab Al Bahrain) - 0700-1930 (Saturday-Thursday)
Shops - hours vary, but typically 08:30-12:30 and 16:00-20:00 (Saturday to Thursday). Many shops open half or full day on Friday as well. |
| Weekly Holiday |
Friday.
Government offices also close Thursday.
Many company offices also close half day on Thursday or all day on Saturday. |
| Electricity Supply |
230 volts, 50 Hz except in Awali where it is 110 volts, 60 Hz. Bahrain uses UK style 3-pin power outlets. |
| Water |
Tap water is clean and free from contamination. However for drinking purposes "sweet water" is recommended. This is widely sold by shops in bottles, or can be delivered to homes in large containers. |
| Medical Facilities |
Bahrain has good quality modern medical facilities. Treatment by the Kingdom medical services is available to citizens and residents free, or at a nominal cost. There are also several private hospitals. Well stock pharmacies exist all over the Kingdom. |
| Visa's |
Required by all except nationals of GCC states. 72 hours or seven day visa's are available at the airport immigration desk and King Fahd Causeway. Visa's are available at all Bahrain Embassies and Consulates. Extensions are available from Department of Immigration, Manama. |
