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Bahrain, a group of 33
islands, with an area of 707 square kilometres, is situated in the
Arabian Gulf, off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. The local time is GMT
+ 3 hours.
The state takes its
name from the largest island Bahrain, which is 586.5 square kilometres.
It is linked by causeways to Muharraq (international airport) and Sitra
(industrial area and tank-farm). There are numerous other tiny islands,
but they are mainly uninhabited and are best known for the variety of
migrating birds which pass through in spring and autumn.
Arabic is the official
language, although English is widely understood and
it's used by most businesses.
Islam is the religion of
Bahrain and is practised by a large, majority . Places of worship of
other faiths exist on the island.
The climate is hot in
summer and mild in winter. From November to April is very pleasant,
with temperatures from 15 to 24 degrees centigrade. Temperatures are
coolest between December and March when northerly winds prevail. From
July to September temperatures average 36 degrees centigrade with high
humidity.
The annual average
rainfall is approximately 77 millimetres.
The Arabian Gulf has an
average depth of only 35 metres and most of it in the vicinity of
Bahrain is much shallower than this.
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| Government |
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His Majesty The King,
Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, came to power on the 6th of march
1999, following the path of the late Amir. His Majesty the King Shaikh
Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has continued in steering the country towards
prosperity, glory and success. Evidence of the achievement are found in
every sector of the economy and is a source of pride and inspiration.
The country is widely
respected by the international community for its progressive policies
and programmes, thanks to the judicious leadership of His Highness and
his wise government, led by His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Sulman Al
Khalifa, the Prime Minister and the continuous support of His Highness
Shaikh Sulman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa the Crown Prince and
Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force.
Apart from providing a
stable government, it has been an active policy to encourage foreign
investment and support private enterprise
Bahrain became a member
of the United Nations and the Arab League in 1971. In 1981 it joined
its five neighbours - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab
Emirates and Qatar - to form the strategic alliance called the Gulf
Co-operation Council (GCC).
Bahrain has an
independent legal and judicial system with a framework of commercial
laws and, on this strength and its well developed infrastructure, has
become an international and GCC arbitration centre.
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| Geography |
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Bahrain is an
archipelago of 33 islands, with a total land area in excess of
700sq.kms.Its name is derived from two Arabic words "thnain Bahr"
meaning "two seas" and refers to the phenomenon of sweet water springs
under the sea which mingle with the salty water. This phenomenon is
believed to be responsible for the unusual luster of Bahrain's natural
pearls, the country's major economy before the advent of oil. In
addition, the land was once blessed with a remarkable number of natural
springs, which irrigated the fertile north and western belts for
centuries. The central area is low lying and barren limestone rock
covered with saline sand, which supports only hardiest desert
vegetation. The highest point of Bahrain is the Jabel Dukhan, 134
meters above the sea level. The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are in
this area. The country offers a fascinating blend of eastern and
western cultures as high rise buildings vie for space with more
traditional dwellings and ancient traditions and historical sites mix
with modern developments and cosmopolitan living. Bahrain's population
of around 600,000 consists of a significant percentage of expatriates
from all over the world. Locals and expatriates live together and
interact in a rare bond of fraternity and brotherhood. Such charms,
along with an excellent network of hotels, apartments and restaurants,
attract an increasing number of regional and international tourists.
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| History |
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Bahrain is rich in
history and ancient civilizations have only recently been discovered by
international archaeologists. Its believed that for tens of thousands
of years, nomads traveled over Bahrain's desert and primitive flint
tolls found, testify to this history. Recent finds have evidenced that
Bahrain was indeed the site of the lost civilization of Dilmun dating
from the third millennium BC, often refereed to as the fabled Garden of
Eden and described as "paradise" in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The land is
repeatedly mentioned in Sumerian , Babylonian and Assyrian inscriptions
as an important seaport between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, due
to the perennial abundance of sweet water. By 600BC, Bahrain was
absorbed into the new Babylonian Empire and once again flourished as a
prosperous entreaty. In 323BC, two of "Alexander the Great" ships
arrived and new trade routes opened, resulting in such a strong Greek
influence that Dilmun was renamed Tylos. Bahrain was also the site of
the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world. At once stage an
estimated 170,000 burial mounds covered the central and western areas.
Archaeological finds of those that have been uncovered, revealevidence
of two distinct civilizations the Dilmunand Tylos -two thousand years
apart, dating from the third and first millennia, respe
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| Commercial hours |
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The working week, number
of hours worked and timing vary considerably. Here are the main
commercial hours:
- Government offices: 07.00-14.15 Saturday to Wednesday.
- Commercial organisations: Hours vary but 08.00-15.30 or
08.00-13.00 and 15.00-17.30 are common. Five day weeks are becoming
favoured though many establishments still work Saturday to Thursday
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- Shops and supermarkets: Many open 08.30-12.30, 15.30-19.30
six days a week. Markets and shops open Friday mornings (times vary).
- Commercial banks: 07.30-12.00 Saturday to Wednesday, and for
many branches, 15.30-17.30 on the same afternoons, 07.30-11.00
Thursdays.
During the holy month of Ramadhan, which precedes
Eid-Al-Fitra . When Moslems fast during daylight hours business life
slows measurably and Moslem employees are allowed shorter working hours
than normal.
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| Money & Currency |
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linked with the US dollar at US$ 1= BD 0.375 and is divided into 1000
fils. Notes are available in the following denominations: 500 fils
(brown), one dinar (red), five dinars (blue), ten dinars (green), and
twenty dinars (peach). Coins come in units of 10,25, 50, and 100 fils.
Money can be changed easily at any commercial bank or at one of the
money changers found in the Soukh. There are no restrictions on the
import and export of currency. |
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| Credit Cards & Travellers’
Cheques |
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Both forms of payments
are widely accepted in hotels and most business establishments,
although some smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. Though Bahrain
has a very low crime rate, it is still important to note separately the
serial numbers of your cheques or credit cards and the telephone
numbers to call in case of loss. The following numbers should be useful
in case your card/ cheque is lost or stolen.
Bahrain Monetary Agency
Credit Cards
American Express 228822
Diners Club 530188
Master Card 207485
Visa 207485
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Check
out www.bahraintourism.com
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Bahrain
for Visitors
Bahrain
means "two seas" in Arabic and this stems from the main island's
natural sweet water springs which seem to flow magically out of such a
harsh environment. The country is made up of several islands, the main
one containing the major city of Manama and the country's International
airport. Bahrain is a major nightlife and tourist destination for
Saudis (and other Gulf-Country residents) who often make the trip
across the bridge to Manama to sip beverages under Bahrain's cool
Oasis-like atmosphere. The prevalence of great restaurants, sea
breezes, bars, discos, nature, and history combine to make Bahrain a
destination for anyone.
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