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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

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

International Law Organization Participation

Citizenship

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 (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 al-ARAIDH

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch

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 November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010) election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by society - NA; seats by society - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by society as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1

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

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 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)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Chief Of Mission
Ambassador Houda Ibrahim Ezra 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 J. 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
Telephone
[973] 1724-2700
FAX
[973] 1727-0547

International Organization Participation

ABEDA
AFESD
AMF
FAO
G-77
GCC
IBRD
ICAO
ICC
ICCt (signatory)
ICRM
IDA
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

Bahrain