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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

Administrative Divisions

12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah

Independence

15 August 1971 (from UK)

National Holiday

National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection

Constitution

Adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)

Legal System

based on Islamic law and English common law

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

Suffrage

18 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 (son of the monarch, born 21 October 1969)

Head of government: Prime Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Al Khalifa (since NA 1971)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

Elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch

Legislative Branch

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms)

Elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006)

Election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10

Note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002

Judicial Branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Political Parties and Leaders

Political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed

Political Pressure Groups and Leaders

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

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

National Anthem

Year	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Government Type

Constitutional hereditary monarchy

Capital

Manama

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Chief Of Mission
Ambassador KHALIFA bin ALI bin Rashid Al Khalifa
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 William T. MONROE
Embassy
Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama
Mailing Address
American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail
Telephone
[973] 1724-2700
FAX
[973] 1725-6242 (consular)

International Organization Participation

ABEDA
AFESD
AMF
ESCWA
FAO
G-77
GCC
IBRD
ICAO
ICC
ICCt (signatory)
ICRM
IDB
IFC
IFRCS
IHO
ILO
IMF
IMO
Interpol
IOC

ISO
ITU
LAS
MIGA
NAM
OAPEC
OIC
OPCW
UN
UNCTAD
UNESCO
UNIDO
UPU
WCO
WFTU
WHO
WIPO
WMO
WToO
WTO

Bahrain