Bahrain Overview Country Overview Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf offering a blend of ancient and modern. Skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodiments of Islamic art, culture and architecture. Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout follows traditional lines. To sample some of Bahrain’s past, a visit to the A’ali Burial Mounds (the world’s largest cemetery) is recommended. Other sites of antiquity include The House of Al Jasra (birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain) and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque (Bahrai’s largest mosque). Other attractions include long stretches of sandy beaches and coral reefs. The largest and most pleasant beach can be found at Al Jazair. Arabic food is spicy and strongly flavoured. Lamb is the principal meat, while chicken, turkey and duck are also eaten. Arak (grape spirit flavoured with aniseed) and beer are the most common drinks. Restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas showing English and Arabic films can be found in the main towns. General Information Area: 709 sq km (273 sq miles). Population: 666,441 (1999). Population Density: 939.3 per sq km. Capital: Manama. Population: 140,401 (1992). GEOGRAPHY: Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia’s east coast and the Qatar peninsula. At the centre of the island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain’s oil wells are to be found in this area. The main island has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore. There are extensive date gardens to the north with irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic 24km- (15-mile) long King Fahad Causeway links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia. Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1971 (had been a British Protectorate from 1861). Head of State: King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa since 1970. Language: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken. Religion: Islam is practised by around 85 per cent of Bahraini society (of which 60 per cent is Shi’ite and 40 per cent Sunni). There are also other faiths including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. Time: GMT + 3. Electricity: 230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 110 volts AC, 60Hz). Lamp fittings are of both the bayonet and screw types. Plug fittings are normally of the 13-amp pin type. Telephone Full IDD service is available to over 204 locations. Country code: 973. Outgoing international code: 00. Blue phone booths are coin-operated, red booths are phonecard operated and silver booths are operated by both cards and coins. Phonecards can be purchased in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25 Dinars. Reduced rates are in operation Mon-Thurs 1900-0700 and all day on Friday. Facilities are provided for video conferencing, digital data networks, mobile links and satellite-linked skyphones for direct communication with airborne aircraft anywhere in the world. Mobile Telephone GSM 900. Network operators include Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO), which has handsets available for hire on a daily, weekly or monthly basis (website: www.batelco.com.bh). Fax BATELCO operates a service from the Batelco Building on Government Avenue. Internet ISPs include BATELCO (website: www.batelco.com.bh) and GCC Online (website: www.gcconline.com). E-mail facilities are available in Manama. Telegram Bahrain possesses one of the most modern international communications networks in the Gulf. A 24-hour service is run by Cable & Wireless, Mercury House, Al-Khalifa Avenue, Manama, as well as at the airport. Post Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The main post office is near Bab al-Bahrain in Manama; opening hours Sat-Thurs 0700-1930. Efficient one-day international courier services operate out of Bahrain. Press There are two Arabic dailies – Al-Ayam and Akhbar Al Khaleej. The two English-language dailies are the Gulf Daily News and Bahrain Tribune. A number of Arabic and English language business magazines are published locally. Radio/Television: Radio Bahrain is broadcast in English 24 hours a day on 96.5 and 101 FM. American Armed Forces Radio can be heard on 104 FM and 107.9 Khz. There are four terrestrial channels, two in English (Channel 55 and BBC World Service) and two Arabic channels. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 15.58 11.76 9.410 1.413 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.21 11.82 9.760 1.197 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes 1 Yes Australian Yes 1 Yes Canadian Yes 1 Yes USA Yes 1 Yes OtherEU Yes 1 Yes Japanese Yes 1 Yes Prohibited entry: Holders of Israeli passports. Holders of passports with visas or endorsements for Israel (valid or expired) are permitted to transit Bahrain provided they do so by the same through aircraft. PASSPORTS: Valid passport for at least six months required by all. VISAS: Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates; (b) transit passengers continuing their journey by the first connecting flight provided holding confirmed tickets and appropriate travel documents and remaining within the transit area. Note: 1. Nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and USA may obtain visas on arrival for touristic or business stays of up to two weeks. The fee is BD5. If working for a media company (eg, a newspaper or TV company) a special invitation from the Bahrain authorities is required. Types of visa and cost: Entry (single-entry) and Business. Both types cost £20. Length of visa granted depends on individual application and granting of non-objection certificate. Holders of British and Irish passports and American and Canadian visitors can apply for a multiple-entry visa (for business only) for four-week stays which is valid for up to five years, cost: £40. Validity: Three months from date of issue (Entry Visa). Application to: Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section. Note: (a) Entry Visas are obtainable through various hotels, travel agencies and other companies licensed to carry out touristic activities in Bahrain. Organised groups are charged a fee of BD5 per person (approximately US$13). Long-term business visas should be arranged by the employing company in Bahrain. (b) All nationalities who have previously travelled to Bahrain and have a stamped passport should have very few problems obtaining a visa to return. Application requirements: Entry visa: (a) Valid passport. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) One completed application form. (d) One registered, self-addressed envelope and cheque for £3 to cover return of passport if applying by post. (e) Fee. (f) No Objection Certificate obtained by agent in Bahrain from the Ministry of Interior (only applies to certain nationals). Business visa: (a)-(e) and, (f) Letter from employer or letter of invitation from Bahrain. Working days required: Two. Money Currency: Dinar (BD) = 1000 fils. Notes appear in denominations of BD20, 10, 5, and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 25 and 10 fils. Currency exchange: Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at most hotels and in banks and bureaux de change. Rates are more preferential at the bureaux de change than at the airport or at hotels. There are some ATMs in Manama that are connected to international networks. Credit & debit cards: Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express and Visa are accepted in hotels, major stores and restaurants. Smaller shops may prefer to deal in cash. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars. Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Dinar against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 Feb ’03 £1.00= 0.55 0.57 0.60 0.60 $1.00= 0.38 0.38 0.38 0.38 Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0730-1200 and 1530-1730; Thurs 0730-1100. Government offices, businesses and most offices are closed on Friday, which is a weekly holiday. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into Bahrain by those aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco in opended packets; 1l of alcoholic beverages and 6 bottles of beer (non-Muslim passengers only); 8oz of perfume; and gifts up to the value of BD250 (approximately US$600). Prohibited items: Firearms, ammunition, drugs, jewellery and all items originating in Israel may only be imported under licence. Public Holidays Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year). Mar 14 Ashura. May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 17 National Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Al-Hijrah (Islamic New Year). Mar 2 Ashura. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 17 National Day. Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there are restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No No Cholera No No Typhoid and Polio No N/A Malaria No N/A Food & drink: Water is treated and considered safe by the Ministry of Health in Bahrain, although visitors may prefer to drink bottled water. All modern hotels have their own filtration plants. Visitors are advised to eat well cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Other risks: Typhoid fever and hepatitis A occur; hepatitis B is endemic. Health care: There is a comprehensive medical service, with general and specialised hospitals in the main towns. An emergency health service is provided free of charge or at a nominal fee. Pharmacies are well equipped with supplies. Full medical insurance is strongly advised. Travel - International AIR: The national carrier serving Bahrain is Gulf Air (GF). Other airlines serving Bahrain include Air India, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Thai Airways International, Turkish Airlines and Yemenia Yemen Airways. Approximate flight times: From Bahrain to London is approximately 7 hours 15 minutes, to Los Angeles is 21 hours and to New York is 14 hours. International airports: Bahrain International (BAH) (Muharraq) (website: www.bahrainairport.com) is 6.5km (4 miles) northeast of Manama. Bus and taxi services run across the causeway to the main island (travel time – 15 minutes). Airport facilities include banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, first aid, bars, snack bars, restaurants, nursery, tourist information, post office (open 0700-1500 and 1700-0100), car hire (Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz) and car parking. Departure tax: BD3. Children under two years of age are exempt. SEA: There are three main ports of entry for dhows and other seafaring craft at Mina Salman, Mina Manama and Mina Muharraq. These ports offer a quick and efficient entry into the country from all parts of the world. Passenger ferries operate between Iran and Bahrain (travel time – 16 hours). A port tax of BD3 may be payable. ROAD: A car drive to Dhahran (Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) takes approximately one and a half hours from Bahrain using the King Fahad Causeway. A toll fee of approximately BD3 is payable by persons driving out of Bahrain. Normal Saudi Arabian visa regulations apply. Travel - Internal AIR: Several flights a week leave from Bahrain International Airport for other destinations within Bahrain. For further details contact a local travel or tour operator. SEA: Transport between the smaller islands is by motorboat or dhow. For details, contact local travel agents. ROAD: Manama is served by an excellent road system, largely created during the last few years. Traffic drives on the right. Road signs are written in English and Arabic. Bus: Routes now serve most of the towns and villages, with a standard fare of 50 fils. Taxi: Metered taxis are readily available. They can be hired in the street or from stands outside hotels and at major tourist attractions. They are identifiable by their orange side-wings and yellow number plates. Between 2200-0600 the minimum fare is BD1200. Taxis waiting outside hotels may charge more. Share-taxis which carry up to five passengers are also available. These are recognisable by a yellow circle with the licence number in black painted on the driver’s door and by their white and orange number plates. There are several designated pick-up points. Meters are not used and fares should always be agreed beforehand. Radio cabs are also available. Car hire: Most of the major international car hire companies operate in Bahrain with representatives at the airport and at big hotels. Traffic regulations: Speed restrictions are in place: 100kph (60mph) on highways and between 50-80kph (30-50mph) on all other roads. Documentation: An International Driving Permit is necessary (but has to be obtained prior to arrival) and must be endorsed by the Traffic and Licensing Directorate. Accommodation Bahrain offers an impressive choice of world-class hotels. Hotel accommodation ranges from 5-star comfort, to family-run hotels and 1-star budget establishments. The deluxe hotels are well represented by international chains with some providing a meet and greet service from the airport if sufficient notice is given. Details of special packages are available from the Tourism Directorate (see Contact Addresses section). Introduction Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands offering a blend of ancient and modern. Modern skyscrapers share the landscape with majestic mosques, embodiments of Islamic art, culture and architecture. MANAMA: Manama, Bahrain’s capital, is modern, dominated by a Manhattan-style skyline. The souk lies in the centre of the old town, near the archway of Bab al-Bahrain and, although much of the surrounding area is modern, the street layout and division of occupations still follow traditional lines: the gold souk, for example, is to be found to the southeast of the market area and is particularly impressive during the hours of darkness. Much land, including the diplomatic area, has been reclaimed from the sea. The ancient city capital of Bilad al-Qadim, which dates from AD 900, is just outside the new city. Excursions: To sample some of Bahrain’s past, a visit to the A’ali Burial Mounds is recommended. This is the site for probably the largest prehistoric cemetery in the world with approximately 170,000 burial mounds dating from between 3000 BC and AD 600. Other sites of antiquity include The House of Beit al-Jasra (birthplace of the Amir, the ruler of Bahrain), Beit al-Siyadi (the 19th-century house of a pearl merchant), Barbar Temple, the ancient forts of Arad, Bahrain, and Riffa; the National Museum (tracing the archaeological development of Bahrain and including an ancient burial mound dating from 2800 BC that was transported from the desert and reassembled), Bait al-Qur’an (site of a rare collection of Islamic manuscripts), the al-Fateh Grand Mosque (Bahrain’s largest mosque), the Heritage Centre (focusing on traditional Bahraini culture) and a number of Oil Museums. In the old quarter of the town ancient houses still retain their ‘wind towers’. Constructed 5-6m (16-20ft) above the house and open on all four sides they act as primitive air-conditioning units. Other attractions include long stretches of sandy beach and coral reefs. The largest and most pleasant beach can be found at Al Jazair, complete with beach huts, pavillions, and picnic areas. Trips in traditional boats (dhows) can be taken across the islands to many locations, including Desert Camp, al-Dar Islands, al-Bander Resort, Jebel Dukhasn (Mountain of Smoke), King Fahad Causeway, Tree of Life, al-Areen Wildlife Sanctuary (containing endangered species such as Arabian Onyx), and A’ali Village. Sport & Activities Watersports: Bahrain’s year-round fine weather provides scope for a wide range of sea- or land-based activities. Facilities for swimming, game fishing (grouper and barracuda), scuba diving, snorkelling, water-skiing, windsurfing, parasailing and yachting can be found on the islands. Other: For those more at home on dry land there are golf courses, racecourses, riding and health clubs. Golf can be played at either the newly opened green golf course at Sakhir or the 18-hole sandy golf course at Awali. The skating rink and bowling alley at Busheri’s in Budaiya has snooker tables and video rooms. There are ex-patriate rugby and cricket teams. Football is the national game and Bahrain has an olympic-sized stadium. Horseracing, horseriding and camel-racing are also popular. Social Profile Food & Drink: There is a good selection of restaurants serving all kinds of food including Arabic, European, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Lebanese, Mexican and American. Arabic food is mainly spicy and strongly flavoured. Lamb is the principal meat with chicken, turkey and duck. Salad and dips are common. Water, arak (grape spirit flavoured with aniseed) or beer are the most common drinks; the sale of alcohol is not encouraged although it is available to non-Muslims in nightclubs, good restaurants and luxury hotels, except during Ramadan. Strong Arabic coffee and tea is also widely available. Nightlife: Restaurants, nightclubs and cinemas showing English and Arabic films can be found in the main towns. Shopping: There is a wide range of modern shopping complexes with imported luxury goods. Pearls are the main local product. Famous red clay pottery is available from the village of A’ali. There are weavers at Bani Jamra village and basket-makers at Jasra village. Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0830-1230 and 1530-1930. Some shops are open for a few hours on Friday mornings in souks. Social Conventions: Traditional beliefs and customs are strong influences and people are generally more formal than Westerners. Attitudes to women are more liberal than in most Gulf States. It is acceptable to sit cross-legged on cushions or sofas in people’s homes but it is still insulting to display the soles of the feet or shoes or to accept food or anything else with the left hand. It is polite to drink two small cups of coffee or tea when offered. Guests will generally be expected to share a bedroom since guest bedrooms and privacy are almost unknown. Sports clothes may be worn in the street and short dresses are acceptable; however revealing clothing should be avoided. Smoking is very common and cheap by European standards. Tipping: Ten per cent is expected by taxi drivers and waiters, particularly when service is not included, and is normal practice. Airport porters expect 100 fils for each piece of luggage. Business Profile Economy: Oil dominates Bahrain’s economy and, together with gas and petrochemicals, accounts for the bulk of exports and government revenue. That proportion is falling, however, as Bahrain seeks to diversify its economy and the reserves dwindle. Several successful industrial projects, including aluminium production, an iron-ore processing facility and an ammonia-methanol plant have been set up. In the service sector, the financial services industry has expanded dramatically in recent years as companies trading in the region have set up their regional centres in Bahrain, where the relatively relaxed environment is an important factor in a region where rigorous social mores are often the norm. However, in June 2000, Bahrain was identified by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) as one of 35 countries whose financial laws are believed to encourage large-scale tax evasion and money-laundering. The Government has since taken measures to meet the OECD’s demands. Japan is Bahrain’s main export market, taking around 50 per cent of the total; the UK, the USA, Switzerland and France are the other important purchasers. The majority of Bahraini imports, which cover a wide range of products, come from Germany, the UK, the USA and Japan. Business: Businessmen are expected to wear suits and ties. Business must be done on a personal introduction basis. Normal social courtesies should be observed but introductions and greetings are important and polite conversation is expected before business discussions begin. Bargaining is common practice: Arabs regard their word as their bond and expect others to do the same. The best time to visit is October to April. Office hours: Usually Sat-Wed 0800-1300 and 1500-1730. Some offices work Sat-Thurs 0800-1530. Government office hours: Sat-Wed 0700-1415. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PO Box 248, Manama (tel: 229 555; fax: 224 985 or 212 937; e-mail: bahcci@batelco.com.bh; website: www.bahchamber.com). Climate June-October, hot and humid (42°C), December to April, mild (10°-20°C). December through to March can be quite cool. Rainfall is slight and occurs mainly in winter. Spring and Autumn are the most pleasant months. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens from spring to autumn, mediumweight clothes from November to March. Warmer clothes are necessary in winter and on cool evenings. History and Government History: During the 15th and 16th centuries the Gulf began to open up to European traders and Bahrain was under Portuguese rule between 1521 and 1622. For more than 100 years Bahrain was attacked by various tribes and national groups until the al-Khalifa clan took control of the island. The clan sought the protection of the British and between 1861 and 1971 Bahrain was a British Protectorate – nominally independent but with the British in charge of foreign and security policy. A 1913 agreement between the British and the Ottoman empire confirmed its position within Britain’s sphere of influence. The discovery of oil in 1931 set Bahrain on a path of development which would see it become one of the world’s most prosperous countries (see Economy section). In 1971, in the wake of Britain’s ‘East of Suez’ strategic withdrawal, Bahrain’s protectorate status was relinquished and Bahrain became independent under the rule of Sheikh Isa al-Khalifa. The Sheikh has since allowed both British and US military forces use of Bahraini ports and airifields. These facilities have become essential to successive Western strategies in the Middle East; ‘dual containment’ (Iran and Iraq) and more recently the ‘war against terror’. Bahrain’s pro-Western stance was consolidated through membership of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), a six-nation body designed to enhance economic and security co-operation between the Gulf States. The GCC has also dealt with territorial disputes between members, principally ownership of the tiny but potentially oil-rich Hawar Islands which are claimed by both Bahrain and Qatar. Bahrain’s economic development has not been matched by comparable progress in the political arena. The country is still an absolute monarchy in which dissent is barely tolerated; its relatively liberal reputation is based purely on the availability of alcohol and casinos (much enjoyed by rich Gulf potentates who cross the causeway to indulge). An elected forum, the majlis, provided an arena for the expression of popular opinion until its disssolution by the Sheikh in 1975. The opposition was mostly of a nationalist or socialist inclination until the turn of the 1970s. Then, following the 1979 revolution in Iran, a Shia Islamist movement emerged in Bahrain. (The bulk of the population is Shia while the ruling al-Khalifa clan and their principal allies adhere to the rival Sunni faith) Shia agitation, which the Government believed to have been fostered by Iran, reached a peak in 1981 but was suppressed. Renewed protests following the 1991 Gulf War were handled in a similar fashion. In March 1999, Sheikh Isa died. He was succeeded by his son Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa. There were few immediate changes in either foreign or domestic policy but in February 2002, Sheikh Hamad declared Bahrain a constitutional monarchy with himself as Head of State. Legislative elections are planned in the near future. Government: Bahrain was a traditional Arab monarchy, ruled since 1782 by an Emir selected from the al-Khalifa dynasty through an appointed cabinet led by a Prime Minister. The current Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, proclaimed himself King on 14 February 2002 and his state a constitutional monarchy. A consultative council, the Majlis as-Shura, has 40 members appointed by the Emir/King who may advise the ruler and cabinet but has no formal powers. The Prime Minister is Sheikh Khalifa bin Sulman al-Khalifa. No political parties or elections have been permitted since 1975 following the abolition of the majlis. Sheikh Hamed has decreed the reconstitution of the majlis, elections for which will take place in October 2002. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.