Bahrain Travel Information

Bahrain Overview

Bahrain is a small island country east of Saudi Arabia. It's no wonder this small island has become a popular vacation spot for many other Arab visitors. Unlike it's counterparts. Bahrain has only a small amount of oilfields and makes much of it's revenue in shipping and manufacturing of different items from abroad. This bridge plays a vital role not only in stability but for commerce as well. Women are grant a little more freedom than their Arab neighbors, but they still where the traditional black Abayah, which is almost like a gown that starts at the shoulders and continues down to the shoes. Men are a little macho and very proud to be men. Most foreign (Western) women are hassled by local men since they are considered by most in the region to be very promiscuous. Marriages are still arranged by both families with the advice of the son. You must be or are willing to convert to the Muslim religion to marry a local. Some have found this to be a small price to pay to gain a lifetime partner. Alcohol consumption is allowed in some hotels, but is looked on as unacceptable by locals. Football is the countries favorite sport although not followed by all. Holding hands, kissing, hugging, etc. between couples is a cause of concern and looked at unfavorably since the Muslim culture is a more conservative one. Any trip to this region should be considered carefully by non-Muslims since most behavior acceptable in your culture may not be accepted here. Most manual labor jobs are done by those from Asian countries and those people are usually underpaid in most Arab countries. Be careful not to offend locals by not getting into conversation about ALLAH, Muhammad, or the Holy Qur'an. Most do not force their religion on others, and those visiting should never force or suggest theirs on locals. The population is made up of Shiites and Sunnis Muslims. Mosques can be seen everywhere as in most Arab countries and are extremely true to the cultural architecture of modern Arab countries.

Type of Government - Constitutional Monarchy

Principal Government Officials
King--Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Crown Prince and Commander in Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force--Shaikh Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Prime Minister--Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Deputy Premier--Jawed bin Salem Al Arrayed
Deputy Premier--Shaikh Mohammad bin Mubarak Al Khalifa
Deputy Premier--Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
Foreign Minister--Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
Ambassador to the United States--Dr. Naser M.Y. Al-Belooshi
Ambassador to the United Nations--Tawfeeq Al-Ahmed Al-Mansoor

Currency - The currency of Bahrain is the Bahrain Dinar.

Language - Arabic with most speaking some English.

Electricity - The electricity of the country is 220 volts.

Population - The population of Bahrain is 586000 with an annual growth rate of 2.96%

Medical Care - Medical treatment is not always free for non-Bahrainis and you should have adequate insurance. The standard is high and the cost is not excessive with a decently modern quality at larger hospitals.

Customs -

Important Phone Numbers - All emergency services can be accessed by dialing 999.

A'Ali Village -

Arad Fort -

Al-Areen Wildlife Park -

Al-Dar and Bird Islands -

Al Jasra -

Al Jazeer Beach -

Bahrain Fort -

Bahrain National Museum -

Bani Jamra Village -

Beit Sheikh Isa -

Currency Museum -

Fabric Bazaar -

Gold Souk -

Grand Mosque -

Hawar Island -

Heritage Centre -

Isa Town -

Jebel Al Dukhan -

Karbabad -

Manama Souk -

Muharraq Souk -

Oil Museum -

Rashid Al Oraifi Museum -

Saar Settlement -

Siyadi House -

Spice Souk -

The Tree of Life -