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Bahrain Education
 Education
and health services are provided free by the government for all
citizens. In the late 1980s, schools in Bahrain had a total enrollment
of about 101,000 pupils. Higher education is provided by the University of Bahrain
(1986) in Manama.
Bahrain or Bahrein, independent state in southwestern Asia, comprising
an archipelago in the southern Persian Gulf, between the Qatar Peninsula
on the east and the coast of Saudi Arabia on the west. It has a total
area of 622 sq km (240 sq mi). The principal islands include Bahrain
(area, 562 sq km/217 sq mi), by far the largest island; Al Muharraq; Umm
Na'san; Sitrah; Jiddah; and the Hawar group. Manama is Bahrain's capital
and largest city. Bahrain was under British control from 1861 to 1971,
when it gained its independence.
Land and Resources
The islands of Bahrain are low-lying and rocky, with the exception of
Bahrain Island, which rises to an elevation of 135 m (443 ft) in its
center. The climate is arid, with less than 100 mm (about 4 in) of rain
falling annually, nearly all in the winter months (December to March).
The average annual temperature is about 25° C (about 77° F). Desert
vegetation predominates; characteristic wildlife includes hares,
lizards, and desert rats; the country also has a large variety of bird
life. Petroleum is Bahrain's principal mineral resource. Artesian wells,
mainly along the northern coast of Bahrain Island, are used for water
supply and irrigation.
Population and Education
The population of Bahrain (1990 official estimate) is 503,022. The
majority of the population is concentrated in the northern part of the
country. The country's principal cities are the capital, Manama
(estimated population, 1990, 138,784), and Al Muharraq (75,906). Most of
the people of Bahrain are Muslims, of the Sunni and Shiite sects. Arabic
is the official language.
Education and health services are provided free by the government for
all citizens. In the late 1980s, schools in Bahrain had a total
enrollment of about 101,000 pupils. Higher education is provided by the
University of Bahrain (1986) in Manama.
Economy
The economy of Bahrain is based on the petroleum industry and transit
trade. Annual production of oil, extracted since the early 1930s, was
14.5 million barrels in the late 1980s. Oil refining is also important;
crude petroleum is supplied by a pipeline from Saudi Arabia. Other
industries have been developed to offset declining oil reserves.
Prominent among these are aluminum smelting and the manufacture of paper
products, clothing, and consumer goods. Agriculture is important on the
irrigated northern coast of Bahrain Island; produce includes dates,
fruits, and vegetables. Fishing is locally important.
A modern harbor at Mina Salman near Manama has strengthened the position
of Bahrain as a transshipment port of the southern part of the Persian
Gulf. The international airport at Al Muharraq is one of the busiest in
the Gulf region. The King Fahd Causeway linking Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
opened in November 1986, leading to a significant increase in local
tourism. The unit of currency is the Bahrain dinar (0.376 Bahrain dinars
equal U.S.$1; 1993).
Government
Bahrain is ruled by the Al-Khalifa family. A constitution, promulgated
in 1973, provides for a national assembly, which met for two years and
was dissolved in 1975. Administrative functions are performed by a
cabinet.
History
Bahrain first became important as a Portuguese way station on the route
to India in the 16th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries it was
frequently under Iranian control. In 1783 the Al-Khalifa dynasty
established Bahrain as an independent emirate, but it was soon eclipsed
by Great Britain's growing influence in the region. Beginning in 1861,
the British forced Bahrain to accept a series of treaties giving the
British control over its external affairs. The significance of the
emirate greatly increased when oil was discovered there in the 1930s.
Bahrain remained under British control until 1971; since 1973 it has
been a constitutional monarchy and has become increasingly prosperous on
the income from its oil exports. After the Iranian Shiite revolution in
1979, unrest grew among Bahrain's Shiites, and Iran revived its claim to
the islands. In 1981 Bahrain reportedly foiled an Iranian-inspired plot
to foment revolution in the emirate. Renewed attempts were reported in
1985. Bahrain was part of the United Nations-led, 28-nation allied force
that defeated Iraq in the Persian Gulf War in 1991.
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