Bahrain Government and Politics
The democratization process was accelerated according to the schedule the royal family had set out the year before. On February 14, 2002, Bahrain was transformed into a constitutional monarchy, and the king – the...
Tagged: Bahrain
According to physicscat, in 2013, Bahrain was a small island nation in the Persian Gulf with a population of 1.2 million people and a GDP of $34.8 billion, ranking it 40th in the world. The capital Manama is a vibrant city full of modern skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels. Bahraini culture is heavily influenced by its neighbours; many festivals feature traditional music, dance and art while modern music concerts are also popular. Bahraini cuisine is varied and includes dishes such as Machbous (spiced rice with meat) and Harees (wheat porridge). Sport plays an important role in Bahraini life; horse racing tournaments are held throughout the year while football (soccer) is widely enjoyed by spectators. In 2013, Bahrain hosted several major international events such as the Formula One Grand Prix which attracted drivers from over 50 countries to compete in motor racing. The country has strong links to its neighbours through trade links and membership of organisations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In 2014, the Kingdom of Bahrain was a small island nation situated in the Persian Gulf region. It was an oil-rich country with a population of around 1.2 million people and a land area of 765 square kilometers. The Bahraini government, which is led by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, is considered to be one of the most progressive and modern in the Middle East. Bahrain has a diverse economy that includes industries such as oil, petrochemicals, aluminum production, banking and finance, construction, shipbuilding, tourism and telecommunications. The country’s GDP per capita in 2014 was estimated at $38,061 which placed it among the wealthiest countries in the world. The majority of Bahrain’s population are Sunni Muslims with a small minority of Shi’ite Muslims. English is widely spoken throughout Bahrain and almost all citizens are literate due to an education system that emphasizes both Arabic and English language learning. In 2014, there were several universities operating in Bahrain including University College of Bahrain (UCB), Arabian Gulf University (AGU) and Royal University for Women (RUW). Despite its economic wealth and progressiveness however, Bahrain has faced some challenges over recent years due to political unrest stemming from long-standing tensions between Sunni majority and Shi’ite minority populations. This unrest reached its peak during 2011 when large scale protests took place throughout the country calling for political reform and greater rights for Shi’ites. Although these protests eventually subsided due to government intervention they left behind deep divisions between communities that have yet to be completely resolved as of 2014. Overall, in 2014 The Kingdom of Bahrain was an affluent nation with a strong economy driven by oil production as well as diversified industries such banking/finance etc., however it also faced challenges related to political unrest stemming from sectarian tensions between its Sunni majority population and Shi’ite minority population. Check areacodesexplorer for Bahrain History.