1 GeoFroggy

Bahrain

Continent: Middle East

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

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. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In 2001, the International Court of Justice awarded the Hawar Islands, long disputed with Qatar, to Bahrain.

Location

Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Area Comparative

3.5 times the size of Washington, DC

Maritime Claims

Contiguous zone: 24 NM

Continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined

Territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate
Arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers

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; no natural fresh water resources so that groundwater and sea water are the only sources for all water needs

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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 which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Year

Map Reference

  • Middle East

Irrigated Land 1993

  • 10 sq km

Area 2001

  • Total
    620 sq km
  • Land
    620 sq km
  • Water
    0 sq km

Coastline

  • 161 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 26 00 N, 50 33 E

Land use 2001

  • Arable Land
    1%
  • Permanent Crops
    1%
  • Permanent Pastures
    6%
  • Forests And Woodland
    0%
  • Other
    92%

Terrain

  • Mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: Persian Gulf 0 m
  • Highest Point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m

Land Boundaries

    0 km

Natural Resources

  • Oil
  • Associated and nonassociated natural gas
  • Fish
  • Pearls
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