ABOUT BAHRAIN

A small Arab monarchy in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain consists of a group of islands between the Qatar peninsula and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. Named for the main island in the archipelago, the country includes some 30 smaller islands. Bahrain covers an area of about 270 square miles (692 square kilometers). There are only two major towns. The capital and chief port is Manama, in the northeastern part of Bahrain Island. It contains several large hotels, schools, Western-style shops, and an Arab suq, or bazaar. Al Muharraq, to the north of Manama, is a traditional Arab town with narrow, winding streets and a dense settlement. These two towns contain about half of Bahrain's total population. The Arab villages consist mainly of substantial houses of local stone or of concrete with flat roofs. Some of the temporary settlements of the fishermen and the very poor are made of barasti (sticks or canes from date palms). On the southern half of the main island there is little settlement. Bahrain remains essentially Arab in its culture and life-style. The state radio station broadcasts mostly in Arabic, the official language, and television transmissions are received from Saudi Arabia. Several weekly and daily papers are published in Arabic and a few in English. The British Council in Manama is the main foreign cultural institution. In 1981 Bahrain was chosen as the site for a Gulf University. Bahrain Island has an excellent paved road system, and buses and taxis serve its major areas. The busy international airport on Al Muharraq Island has flights to most countries in the Middle East. The climate of Bahrain is very humid. Average monthly temperatures from May to October exceed 83 F (28 C). Winter temperatures from December to March average below 70 F (21 C). Agriculture is of minimal economic importance and produces only a fraction of Bahrain's food requirements, mainly in fruits and vegetables. There are a few thousand sheep, cattle, and goats. Bahrain owes its commercial success as a business and communications center to its location in the prosperous Persian Gulf region. It is an offshore banking center for more than 60 foreign banks, and there is a free zone in which many foreign business concerns have their headquarters. Major industries include natural gas and petroleum products the principal exports. In 1978 the government took over ownership of the petroleum industry. Bahrain moved closer to the other Persian Gulf monarchies Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates through the establishment of the Gulf Cooperation Council in March 1981. Bahrain was ruled by Portugal and then by Persia (Iran) before coming under British influence in the 19th century. From 1916 until 1971 it was a British Protected State, and the United Kingdom was responsible for the conduct of its foreign affairs and defense. Bahrain then declared itself independent of Britain and became a member of the United Nations. Population (1990 estimate), 503,000.