represented by Governor General Sir Arthur A. FOULKES (since 14
April 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Hubert A. INGRAHAM (since 4 May
2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the prime
minister's recommendation
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by
the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the
majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually
appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister
recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (16 seats; members
appointed by the governor general upon the advice of the prime
minister and the opposition leader to serve five-year terms) and the
House of Assembly (41 seats; members elected by direct popular vote
to serve five-year terms); the government may dissolve the
parliament and call elections at any time
elections: last held on 2 May 2007 (next to be held by May 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - FNM 49.86%, PLP 47.02%;
seats by party - FNM 23, PLP 18
Judicial branch:
Privy Council in London; Courts of Appeal; Supreme (lower) Court;
Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Free National Movement or FNM [Hubert INGRAHAM]; Progressive Liberal
Party or PLP [Perry CHRISTIE]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Friends of the Environment
other: trade unions
International organization participation:
ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO,
ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PetroCaribe, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Cornelius A. SMITH
chancery: 2220 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 319-2660
FAX: [1] (202) 319-2668
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Nicole A. AVANT
embassy: 42 Queen Street, Nassau, New Providence
mailing address: local or express mail address: P. O. Box N-8197,
Nassau; US Department of State, 3370 Nassau Place, Washington, DC
20521-3370
telephone: [1] (242) 322-1181, 328-2206 (after hours)
FAX: [1] (242) 328-2206
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and
aquamarine, with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist
side; the band colors represent the golden beaches of the islands
surrounded by the aquamarine sea; black represents the vigor and
force of a united people, while the pointing triangle indicates the
enterprise and determination of the Bahamian people to develop the
rich resources of land and sea
National anthem:
name: "March On, Bahamaland!"
lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON
note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the
national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem
(see United Kingdom)
Economy ::Bahamas, The
Economy - overview:
The Bahamas is one of the wealthiest Caribbean countries with an
economy heavily dependent on tourism and offshore banking. Tourism
together with tourism-driven construction and manufacturing accounts
for approximately 60% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half
of the archipelago's labor force. Prior to 2006, a steady growth in
tourism receipts and a boom in construction of new hotels, resorts,
and residences led to solid GDP growth but since then tourism
receipts have begun to drop off. The global recession in 2009 took a
sizeable toll on the Bahamas, resulting in a contraction in GDP and
a widening budget deficit. The decline continued in 2010 as tourism
from the US and sector investment lagged. Financial services
constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy
and, when combined with business services, account for about 36% of
GDP. However, the financial sector currently is smaller than it has
been in the past because of the enactment of new and more strict
financial regulations in 2000 that caused many international
businesses to relocate elsewhere. Manufacturing and agriculture
combined contribute approximately a tenth of GDP and show little
growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors.
Overall growth prospects in the short run rest heavily on the
fortunes of the tourism sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$8.878 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
$8.923 billion (2009 est.)
$9.285 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$7.538 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
-3.9% (2009 est.)
-1.7% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$28,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$29,000 (2009 est.)
$30,500 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 1.2%
industry: 14.7%
services: 84.1% (2001 est.)
Labor force:
184,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 173
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 5%
industry: 5%
tourism: 50%
other services: 40% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate:
7.6% (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Population below poverty line:
9.3% (2004)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: 27% (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Central bank discount rate:
5.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 82
5.25% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
5.5% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.284 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 130
$1.275 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of broad money:
$5.991 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
$5.893 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$7.993 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 101
$7.883 billion (31 December 2008)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA
Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables; poultry
Industries:
tourism, banking, cement, oil transshipment, salt, rum, aragonite,
pharmaceuticals, spiral-welded steel pipe
Industrial production growth rate:
NA%
Electricity - production:
2.045 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Electricity - consumption:
1.902 billion kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Oil - consumption:
36,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - exports:
transshipments of 41,570 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Oil - imports:
20,560 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Natural gas - proved reserves:
NA cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
Current account balance:
-$283.2 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95
-$1.442 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$674 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 162
Exports - commodities:
mineral products and salt, animal products, rum, chemicals, fruit
and vegetables
Exports - partners:
US 35.99%, Singapore 18.64%, Poland 12.1%, Germany 6.24% (2009)
Imports:
$2.401 billion (2006)
country comparison to the world: 148
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactures, chemicals, mineral
fuels; food and live animals
Imports - partners:
US 27.23%, South Korea 20.08%, Japan 14.55%, Singapore 5.89%, China
4.75%, Venezuela 4.26%, Italy 4.12% (2009)
Debt - external:
$342.6 million (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Exchange rates:
Bahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2009), 1 (2008), 1 (2007),
1 (2006)
Communications ::Bahamas, The
Telephones - main lines in use:
129,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 140
Telephones - mobile cellular:
358,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166
Telephone system:
general assessment: modern facilities
domestic: totally automatic system; highly developed; the Bahamas
Domestic Submarine Network links 14 of the islands and is designed
to satisfy increasing demand for voice and broadband internet
services
international: country code - 1-242; landing point for the Americas
Region Caribbean Ring System (ARCOS-1) fiber-optic submarine cable
that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the
Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2007)
Broadcast media:
2 television stations operated by government-owned, commercially run
Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB); multi-channel cable
TV subscription service is available; about 15 radio stations
operating with BCB operating a multi-channel radio broadcasting
network alongside privately-owned radio stations (2007)
Internet country code:
.bs
Internet hosts:
21,939 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 107
Internet users:
115,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 156
Transportation ::Bahamas, The
Airports:
62 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 78
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 23
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 39
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 22 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Roadways:
total: 2,717 km
country comparison to the world: 168
paved: 1,560 km
unpaved: 1,157 km (2002)
Merchant marine:
total: 1,170
country comparison to the world: 10
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 229, cargo 191, carrier 2,
chemical tanker 80, combination ore/oil 8, container 50, liquefied
gas 78, passenger 100, passenger/cargo 29, petroleum tanker 222,
refrigerated cargo 106, roll on/roll off 12, specialized tanker 2,
vehicle carrier 60
foreign-owned: 1,080 (Angola 5, Belgium 9, Bermuda 12, Brazil 1,
Canada 102, China 4, Croatia 1, Cyprus 14, Denmark 59, Finland 8,
France 19, Germany 39, Greece 209, Guernsey 6, Hong Kong 2,
Indonesia 2, Ireland 3, Italy 5, Japan 93, Jordan 2, Kuwait 2,
Malaysia 13, Monaco 14, Montenegro 2, Netherlands 22, Nigeria 2,
Norway 198, Poland 32, Saudi Arabia 16, Singapore 7, Slovenia 1,
Spain 9, Sweden 6, Switzerland 2, Thailand 4, Trinidad and Tobago 1,
Turkey 3, UAE 27, UK 24, US 100)
registered in other countries: 10 (Bolivia 1, Malta 1, Panama 7,
Peru 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Freeport, Nassau, South Riding Point
Military ::Bahamas, The
Military branches:
Royal Bahamian Defense Force: Land Force, Navy, Air Wing (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 84,903 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 62,779
females age 16-49: 63,954 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 2,840
female: 2,758 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
0.7% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 152
Transnational Issues ::Bahamas, The
Disputes - international:
disagrees with the US on the alignment the northern axis of a
potential maritime boundary; continues to monitor and interdict drug
dealers and Haitian and Cuban refugees in Bahamian waters
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for US and
Europe; offshore financial center
page last updated on January 26, 2011
======================================================================
@Bahrain (Middle East)
Introduction ::Bahrain
Background:
In 1783, the al-Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians.
In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of
treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a
British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in
1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf
countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign
affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves,
Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has
transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD
bin Isa al-Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic
and political reforms to improve relations with the Shia community.
Shia political societies participated in 2010 parliamentary and
municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shia political society,
won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the
legislature. However, Shia discontent has resurfaced in recent years
with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
Geography ::Bahrain
Location:
Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
26 00 N, 50 33 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
total: 760 sq km
country comparison to the world: 187
land: 760 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
161 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Climate:
arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Terrain:
mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Natural resources:
oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Land use:
arable land: 2.82%
permanent crops: 5.63%
other: 91.55% (2005)
Irrigated land:
40 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
0.1 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.3 cu km/yr (40%/3%/57%)
per capita: 411 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; dust storms
Environment - current issues:
desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable
land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation
(damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting
from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil
refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources
(groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs)
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto
Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic
location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's
petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
People ::Bahrain
Population:
738,004
country comparison to the world: 163
note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25.9% (male 95,258/female 93,256)
15-64 years: 70.1% (male 293,340/female 217,815)
65 years and over: 4% (male 15,274/female 13,766) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 30.4 years
male: 33.5 years
female: 27.1 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
1.243% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Birth rate:
16.81 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Death rate:
4.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Urbanization:
urban population: 89% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.33 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female
total population: 1.24 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 14.76 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 126
male: 17.01 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.4 years
country comparison to the world: 84
male: 72.87 years
female: 78.01 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
2.47 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 600 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 200 (2003 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Nationality:
noun: Bahraini(s)
adjective: Bahraini
Ethnic groups:
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
Religions:
Muslim (Shia and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 86.5%
male: 88.6%
female: 83.6% (2001 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2008)
country comparison to the world: 149
Government ::Bahrain
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn
former: Dilmun
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Manama
geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during
Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat
note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Independence:
15 August 1971 (from the UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date
of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of
independence from British protection
Constitution:
adopted 14 February 2002
Legal system:
based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa (since 6 March 1999);
Heir Apparent Crown Prince SALMAN bin Hamad Al-Khalifa (son of the
monarch, born 21 October 1969)
head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al-Khalifa
(since 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman
Al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak Al-Khalifa, Jawad bin Salim
al-ARAIDH
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by
the monarch
Legislative branch:
bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40
members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or
Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve
four-year terms)
elections: Council of Representatives - last held in two rounds on
23 and 30 October 2010 (next election to be held in 2014)
election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by
society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 18, al Asala (Sunni
Salafi) 3, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 2, independents 17
Judicial branch:
High Civil Appeals Court
Political parties and leaders:
political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized
per a July 2005 law
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators
other: several small leftist and other groups are active
International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CICA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC,
ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,
OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Huda Azra Ibrahim NUNU
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111
FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph Adam ERELI
embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club),
Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international
mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone: [973] 1724-2700
FAX: [973] 1727-0547
Flag description:
red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a
white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five
points represent the five pillars of Islam
note: until 2002 the flag had eight white points, but this was
reduced to five to avoid confusion with the Qatari flag
National anthem:
name: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original
lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of
Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom
Economy ::Bahrain
Economy - overview:
Bahrain is one of the most diversified economies in the Persian
Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make
Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the
Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA
between the US and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy, however,
continues to depend heavily on oil. Petroleum production and
refining account for more than 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, 70%
of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied
industries). Other major economic activities are production of
aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil - finance, and
construction. Bahrain competes with Malaysia as a worldwide center
for Islamic banking and continues to seek new natural gas supplies
as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum
industries. Unemployment, especially among the young, is a long-term
economic problem Bahrain struggles to address. In 2009, to help
lower unemployment among Bahraini nationals, Bahrain reduced
sponsorship for expatriate workers, increasing the costs of
employing foreign labor. The global financial crisis caused funding
for many non-oil projects to dry up and resulted in slower economic
growth for Bahrain. Other challenges facing Bahrain include the slow
growth of government debt as a result of a large subsidy program,
the financing of large government projects, and debt restructuring,
such as the bailout of state-owned Gulf Air.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$29.82 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$28.7 billion (2009 est.)
$27.83 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$21.73 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
3.1% (2009 est.)
6.3% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$40,400 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$39,400 (2009 est.)
$38,700 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.5%
industry: 56.6%
services: 42.9% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
611,000
country comparison to the world: 154
note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
(2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 1%
industry: 79%
services: 20% (1997 est.)
Unemployment rate: