info@tjc-global.com
0845 838 1306
+44 1865 511872
+44 1865 559957
en
fr
de
es
it
zh-cn
zh-tw
ko
ja
Country Profile: Bahrain
FactfileCapital and largest cityAl-ManámahOfficial languagesArabicArea665 sq kmPopulation1, 200, 814 (2008 est.)CurrencyBahraini dinar |
Language
Arabic is the official language of Bahrain. However, elsewhere, English is very widely used. Some Bahraini people speak a dialect of the Persian language.
Economy
Oil was found in Bahrain in 1932, and this led to extremely fast modernisation, and an economic boom, with Bahrain becoming the fastest growing economy in the Arab world, and the freest economy in the Middle East. The production and processing of petroleum accounts for 60% of exports, and 30% of GDP in Bahrain. The country has highly advanced communication and transport facilities and houses two multinational firms. Its GDP is $14.11 billion and its major trading partners include Saudi Arabia, US, Germany, Japan, UK and France. Aside from oil, other key industries include offshore banking, fertilisers, ship repairing, tourism, and natural resources include gas, fish and pearls.
The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge is to be built linking Bahrain to Qatar to the south-east, with construction starting in 2009.
Energy
Since the discovery of oil in 1932, Bahrain has formed links with other countries in order to exploit the natural resources - petroleum is their biggest export as well as industry, providing almost all of the country's energy.
Tourism
Bahrain has become a popular tourist destination, with more than 8 million visitors a year. Though mostly made up of people coming from neighbouring Arab countries, there are increasing numbers of people visiting from further afield due to the Bahrain Grand Prix, and also because of the country's Arab heritage and history, and also its reputation as being liberal and modern. The country has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its National Museum has exhibits from the first human settlers on the island, from over 9000 years ago.
You are free to use the information on this web site under the condition that you include a link to our site on the same page on which you cite us. Please click here for further information.
For more information about our services, please see our Translation and Interpreting pages