ba.json

{"code":"ba","name":"Bahrain","region":"Middle East","background":"In 1783, the Sunni 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. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. 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. In addition, the Sunni-led government has struggled to manage relations with its approximately 70% Shia-majority population. During the mid-to-late 1990s Shia activists mounted a low-intensity uprising to demand that the Sunni-led government stop systemic economic, social, and political discrimination against Shia Bahrainis. King HAMAD bin Isa Al-Khalifa, after succeeding his late father in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms in part to improve relations with the Shia community. After boycotting the country's first round of democratic elections under the newly-promulgated constitution in 2002, Shia political societies participated in 2006 and 2010 in legislative and municipal elections and Wafiq, the largest Shia political society, won the largest bloc of seats in the elected lower-house of the legislature both times. Nevertheless, Shia discontent has persisted, often manifesting itself in street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence. \r\n","geo":{"Location":"Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia","Geographic coordinates":{"N":{"deg":26,"min":0},"E":{"deg":50,"min":33}},"Map references":{},"Area":{"total":{"quantity":760,"unit":"sq km"},"country comparison to the world":"","land":{"quantity":760,"unit":"sq km"},"water":{"quantity":0,"unit":"sq km"}},"Area - comparative":"3.5 times the size of Washington, DC","Land boundaries":{"quantity":0,"unit":"km"},"Coastline":{"quantity":161,"unit":"km"},"Maritime claims":{"territorial sea":{"quantity":12,"unit":"nm"},"contiguous zone":{"quantity":24,"unit":"nm"},"continental shelf":"extending to boundaries to be determined"},"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"},"Land use":{"arable land":{"quantity":2.82,"unit":"%"},"permanent crops":{"quantity":5.63,"unit":"%"},"other":{"quantity":91.55,"unit":"%"}},"Irrigated land":{"quantity":40,"unit":"sq km"},"Total renewable water resources":{"quantity":0.1,"unit":"cu km"},"Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)":{"total":{"quantity":0.3,"unit":"cu km/yr"},"per capita":{"quantity":411,"unit":"cu m/yr"}},"Natural hazards":"periodic droughts; dust storms","internationalEnvironmentAgreements":{"signed, but not ratified":"none of the selected agreements","partyTo":["Biodiversity","Climate Change","Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol","Desertification","Hazardous Wastes","Law of the Sea","Ozone Layer Protection","Wetlands"]},"naturalResources":["oil","associated and nonassociated natural gas","fish","pearls"],"environmentalIssues":["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)"],"climate":["arid","mild, pleasant winters","very hot, humid summers"],"geographyNote":["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":{"Population":{"Population":1214,"country comparison to the world":""},"Age structure":{"0-14 years":{"quantity":20.5,"unit":"%"},"15-64 years":{"quantity":77,"unit":"%"},"65 years and over":"2.6% (male 14,791/female 16,363) (2011 est.)"},"Median age":{"total":{"quantity":30.9,"unit":"years"},"male":{"quantity":32.2,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":28.1,"unit":"years"}},"Population growth rate":{"quantity":2.814,"unit":"%"},"Birth rate":{"quantity":14.64,"unit":"births/1,000 population"},"Death rate":{"quantity":2.61,"unit":"deaths/1,000 population"},"Net migration rate":{"quantity":16.1,"unit":"migrant(s)/1,000 population"},"Urbanization":{"urban population":{"quantity":89,"unit":"% of total population"},"rate of urbanization":{"quantity":1.8,"unit":"% annual rate of change"}},"Major cities - population":"MANAMA (capital) 163,000 (2009)","Sex ratio":{"at birth":{"quantity":1.028,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"under 15 years":{"quantity":1.02,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"15-64 years":{"quantity":1.33,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"65 years and over":{"quantity":1.13,"unit":"male(s)/female"},"total population":{"quantity":1.24,"unit":"male(s)/female"}},"Infant mortality rate":{"total":{"quantity":10.43,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"},"country comparison to the world":"","male":{"quantity":11.68,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"},"female":{"quantity":9.14,"unit":"deaths/1,000 live births"}},"Life expectancy at birth":{"total population":{"quantity":78.15,"unit":"years"},"country comparison to the world":"","male":{"quantity":76.03,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":80.33,"unit":"years"}},"Total fertility rate":{"quantity":1.88,"unit":"children born/woman"},"HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate":{"quantity":0.2,"unit":"%"},"HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS":"fewer than 600 (2007 est.)","HIV/AIDS - deaths":"fewer than 200 (2003 est.)","Sanitation facility access":{},"Nationality":{"noun":"Bahraini(s)","adjective":"Bahraini"},"Literacy":{"definition":"age 15 and over can read and write","total population":{"quantity":86.5,"unit":"%"},"male":{"quantity":88.6,"unit":"%"},"female":{"quantity":83.6,"unit":"%"}},"School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)":{"total":{"quantity":14,"unit":"years"},"male":{"quantity":13,"unit":"years"},"female":{"quantity":14,"unit":"years"}},"Education expenditures":{"quantity":2.9,"unit":"% of GDP"},"ethnicGroups":["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"]},"government":{"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, State of Bahrain"},"Government type":"constitutional monarchy","Capital":{"name":"Manama","geographic coordinates":{"N":{"deg":26,"min":14},"E":{"deg":50,"min":34}},"time difference":"UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)"},"Administrative divisions":{"Administrative divisions":"5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat"},"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","Legal system":"mixed legal system of Islamic law and English common law","International law organization participation":"has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt","Suffrage":"20 years of age; universal; note - Bahraini Cabinet in May 2011 endorsed a draft law lowering eligibility to 18 years","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","elections":"the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch"},"Legislative branch":{"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 - Wifaq (Shia) 18, Asala (Sunni Salafi) 3, 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":{"Political pressure groups and leaders":"Shia activists; Sunni Islamist legislators","other":"several small leftist and other groups are active"},"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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stephanie WILLIAMS","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":{"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":{"name":"\"Bahrainona\" (Our Bahrain)","lyrics/music":"unknown"},"internationalOrganizations":["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"]},"economy":{"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)":{"GDP (purchasing power parity)":{"usd":29710000000},"country comparison to the world":""},"GDP (official exchange rate)":{"usd":22660000000},"GDP - real growth rate":{"quantity":4.1,"unit":"%"},"GDP - per capita (PPP)":{"GDP - per capita (PPP)":{"usd":null},"country comparison to the world":""},"GDP - composition by sector":{"agriculture":{"quantity":0.5,"unit":"%"},"industry":{"quantity":56.6,"unit":"%"},"services":{"quantity":42.9,"unit":"%"}},"Labor force":{"Labor force":611000,"country comparison to the world":""},"Labor force - by occupation":{"agriculture":{"quantity":1,"unit":"%"},"industry":{"quantity":79,"unit":"%"},"services":{"quantity":20,"unit":"%"}},"Unemployment rate":{"quantity":15,"unit":"%"},"Population below poverty line":"NA%","Household income or consumption by percentage share":{"lowest 10%":"NA%","highest 10%":"NA%"},"Investment (gross fixed)":{"quantity":26.6,"unit":"% of GDP"},"Budget":{"revenues":{"usd":5933000000},"expenditures":{"usd":5948000000}},"Public debt":{"quantity":59.2,"unit":"% of GDP"},"Inflation rate (consumer prices)":{"quantity":3.3,"unit":"%"},"Commercial bank prime lending rate":"NA% (31 December 2009 est.)","Stock of narrow money":{"usd":6372000000},"Stock of broad money":{"usd":21020000000},"Stock of domestic credit":{"usd":18460000000},"Market value of publicly traded shares":{"usd":16930000000},"Industrial production growth rate":{"quantity":1.5,"unit":"%"},"Electricity - production":{"quantity":10250000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - consumption":{"quantity":10100000000,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - exports":{"quantity":0,"unit":"kWh"},"Electricity - imports":{"quantity":0,"unit":"kWh"},"Oil - production":{"quantity":48560,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - consumption":{"quantity":39000,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - exports":{"quantity":238300,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - imports":{"quantity":228400,"unit":"bbl/day"},"Oil - proved reserves":{"quantity":124600000,"unit":"bbl"},"Natural gas - production":{"quantity":12640000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - consumption":{"quantity":12640000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - exports":{"quantity":0,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - imports":{"quantity":0,"unit":"cu m"},"Natural gas - proved reserves":{"quantity":92030000000,"unit":"cu m"},"Current account balance":{"usd":589000000},"Exports":{"usd":15130000000},"Imports":{"usd":12140000000},"Reserves of foreign exchange and gold":{"usd":3766000000},"Debt - external":{"usd":14680000000},"Stock of direct foreign investment - at home":{"usd":15770000000},"Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad":{"usd":8398999999.999999},"Exchange rates":"Bahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar -","industries":["petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, Islamic and offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism"],"agricultureProducts":["fruit","vegetables","poultry","dairy products","shrimp","fish"],"exportCommodities":["petroleum and petroleum products","aluminum","textiles"],"exportPartners":["India 4.2%","Saudi Arabia 2.78%"],"importCommodities":["crude oil","machinery","chemicals"],"importPartners":["Saudi Arabia 22.91%","France 9.76%","US 7.95%","China 6.4%","South Korea 5.26%","Japan 5.19%","Germany 5.01%","UK 4.34%"]},"communications":{"Telephones - main lines in use":238400,"Telephones - mobile cellular":1578000,"Telephone system":{"general assessment":"modern system","domestic":"modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones","international":"country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth station - 1 (2007)"},"Broadcast media":"state-run broadcast media; Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC) operates 5 terrestrial TV networks; satellite TV systems provide access to international broadcasts; state-run BRTC broadcasts over several radio stations; 1 private FM station directs broadcasts to Indian listeners; radio and TV broadcasts from countries in the region are available (2007)","Internet country code":".bh","Internet hosts":53944,"Internet users":419500},"transport":{"Airports":4,"Airports - with paved runways":{"total":4,"over 3,047 m":3,"2,438 to 3,047 m":1},"Heliports":1,"Pipelines":"gas 20 km; oil 29 km (2010)","Roadways":{"total":{"quantity":3851,"unit":"km"},"country comparison to the world":"","paved":{"quantity":3121,"unit":"km"},"unpaved":{"quantity":730,"unit":"km"}},"Merchant marine":{"total":7,"country comparison to the world":"","by type":"bulk carrier 2, container 4, petroleum tanker 1","foreign-owned":5,"registered in other countries":"6 (Honduras 5, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1) (2010)"},"Ports and terminals":"Mina' Salman, Sitrah"},"military":{"Military branches":"Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense Force), Royal Bahrain Navy (RBN), Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF), Bahrain National Guard (BNG) (2011)","Military service age and obligation":"17 years of age for voluntary military service; 15 years of age for NCOs, technicians, and cadets; no conscription (2010)","Manpower available for military service":{"males age 16-49":508863,"females age 16-49":290801},"Manpower fit for military service":{"males age 16-49":423757,"females age 16-49":245302},"Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually":{"male":8988,"female":8117},"Military expenditures":{"quantity":4.5,"unit":"% of GDP"}},"issues":{"internationalDisputes":["none"]}}