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About Kingdom
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Bahrain Kingdom is a country consisting of 33
islands totaling 709.5 square kilometers in size. It is located half way
in the Arabian Gulf, close to the eastern coast of the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia. It is three hours ahead of Greenwich Meantime (GMT). The
Kingdom draws its name from the island of “Bahrain”, which is the biggest
island totaling 586.5 square kilometers in size.
Bahrain Kingdom is
linked via a causeway with the island of Muharraq, where Bahrain
International Airport is located, and with Sitra Industrial Area, where
oil tanks are located. There are a number of small islets, which are not
inhabited, but are known as a habitat for some species of Bahrain
transiting the island on their migration flights during spring and
autumn.
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Arabic is the official language of Bahrain
Kingdom.
However, English language is widely used in most of business life. Islam
is the Kingdom’s official religion, an it is followed by the vast majority
of its population. However, there are many places of worship for the
followers of other religions.
Bahrain Kingdom is
hot in summer and mild in winter. From November until April, the weather
is very clement, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees
centigrade. The weather is at its coldest during the months of December
until March, when northerly winds blow through the island. The average
temperature during the months of July until September is 36 degrees
centigrade, with very high humidity, while the average annual rainfall
is around 77 millimetres. The average depth of water of the Arabian Gulf
is 35 metres only, and the waters surroundings the islands of Bahrain
Kingdom
are far less than that.
Bahrain Kingdom gives the impression that it is a
cosmopolitan society, with Western and Eastern cultures co-existing
peacefully. High-rise buildings are seen side by side with traditional,
old houses, while age-old traditions and historical places mix with
modern style life and changes, with an air of openness to the world.
Bahrain Kingdom’s population of 600,000 comprises a
large percentage of expatriates coming from all over the world. Citizens
live with expatriates in total harmony and peace, and co-exist together
with unique amity and brotherhood. This factor, in addition to the
excellent network of hotels, furnished flats and restaurants, constitute
great attractions for the growing number of tourists visiting Bahrain
Kingdom
from the neighboring countries and from all over the world.
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Official Name |
Kingdom
of Bahrain |
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King
of the Kingdom |
H.H.
Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa |
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Capital |
Manama |
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Land Area |
709.5
square kilometres |
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Location |
Half-way in the Arabian Gulf, close to the eastern coast of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
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Population |
620,000 according to 1997 census |
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Climate |
Hot in
summer and mild in winter. From November until April, the weather is
clement, with temperature ranging from 15 to 25 degrees centigrade.
The weather is at its coldest between the months of December and
March, when northerly winds blow through the country. Average
temperature between July until September is 36 degrees centigrade,
with high humidity. Average annual rainfall is around 77 millimetres. |
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Time |
Three
hours ahead of GMT (+3GMT) |
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Language |
Arabic
is the official language. However, English is widely used in most
business activities. |
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Religion |
Islam
is the official language, followed by the vast majority of the
population. However, there are many places of worship of the
followers of other religions. |
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Currency |
Bahrain Dinar is the legal tender, consisting of units totalling
1,000 fils. It is pegged to the U.S. Dollar which is equal to BD
0.378 |
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Banknotes |
Five
banknotes: half dinar, BD 1, BD 5, BD 10 and BD 20 |
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Metal Coins |
Five
metal coins of: 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 fils. |
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Working Hours |
Government working hours: 7.30 a.m. until 2.15 p.m. Saturday thru
Tuesday. Wednesday 7.30 a.m. until 2.00 p.m.
Businesses and bazaars: opened mostly from 8.30 a.m. until 12.30
p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. until 7.30 p.m. six day a week.
Banks:
7.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. On
Thursday: 7.30 a.m. until 11.00 a.m.
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Weekends |
Thursday
and Friday are official weekend holiday for Government offices and
most companies work half day on Thursday, while some banks take
Friday and Saturday off. |
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Sources of
Power |
transformers of 220-240 volts of 50 rpm (hertz) all over Bahrain
Kingdom,
except for Awali, where it is 120 volts, 60 rpm (hertz). Bahrain
Kingdom
uses the British standard of 3-pin power outlets. |
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Water |
Tap water
is clean and free. However, it is not commonly used as drinking
water. Sweet water is used and can be purchased from cold stores and
shops in bottles or by roaming tankers from door to door. |
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Health
Services |
Bahrain
Kingdom
boasts health services of high sophistication. Kingdom provides free
primary health care to all citizens and expatriates, while
medication is sometimes at nominal charge. There are also many
private hospitals, with pharmacies spread all over the country. |
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Entry
Visas |
Entry
visas required for all expatriates, excluding GCC citizens. 72-
hour or 7-day entry visas are available at passport offices at the
airport, as well as on King Fahad Causeway. |
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Source of Information :
http://www.bahrain.gov.bh |
More Information
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