Bahraini
Ethnic divisions:
Bahraini 63%, Asian 13%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%, other 6%
Religions:
Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
Languages:
Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)
total population:
77%
male:
82%
female:
69%
Labor force:
140,000
by occupation:
industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3%
(1982)
note:
42% of labor force is Bahraini

@Bahrain, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
State of Bahrain
conventional short form:
Bahrain
local long form:
Dawlat al Bahrayn
local short form:
Al Bahrayn
Digraph:
BA
Type:
traditional monarchy
Capital:
Manama
Administrative divisions:
12 districts (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al
Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash
Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa'wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd
Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, Sitrah
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 16 December (1961)
Constitution:
26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and English common law
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Amir ISA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 2 November 1961); Heir Apparent
HAMAD bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa (son of the Amir, born 28 January
1950)
head of government:
Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 19 January 1970)
cabinet:
Cabinet
Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and
legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory
Council established 16 December 1992
Judicial branch:
High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
political parties prohibited; several small, clandestine leftist and
Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
Member of:
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GATT, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, IDB,
ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC,
ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Mohammad ABD al-GHAFFAR
chancery:
3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
(202) 342-0741 or 342-0742
consulate(s) general:
New York
US diplomatic representation:
chief of missio