Bahrain, a nation comprising more than 30 islands in the Arabian Gulf, has been at the center of major trade routes since antiquity. In its modern capital, Manama, the acclaimed Bahrain National Museum showcases artifacts from the ancient Dilmun civilization that flourished in the region for millennia. The city's thriving Bab al-Bahrain bazaar offers wares ranging from colorful handwoven fabrics and spices to pearls.
Languages: The official language of Bahrain is Arabic, which is spoken by the majority of the population. Arabic is used in government, education, and the media, and it is the language of instruction in schools. In addition to Arabic, many people in Bahrain also speak English, particularly in business and tourism. Finally, there are also a number of other languages spoken in Bahrain, including Farsi, Urdu, and Hindi, among others.
Ethnic Groups: Bahraini 46%, Asian 45.5%, other Arab 4.7%, African 1.6%, European 1%, other 1.2% (includes Gulf Co-operative country nationals, North and South Americans, and Oceanians) (2010 est.)
Belief Systems: Muslim 70.3%, Christian 14.5%, Hindu 9.8%, Buddhist 2.5%, Jewish 0.6%, folk religion <.1, unaffiliated 1.9%, other 0.2% (2010 est.)
Demographics:
Population:1.39 million people (World Rank: 154th) (2014 estimate)
Population Density:4734 people/mi^2 (People per Square Mile) (World Rank: 8th) (2014 estimate)
Population Growth: 1.31 %/yr (World Rank: 94th) (2013 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 76.6 years (World Rank: 74th) (2013 estimate)
Median Age: 30 years (World Rank: 74th) (2010 estimate)
Sites for More Information:
Map of Bahrain
Worldatlas.com
Bahrain - Facts and Information
Encyclopedia.com
Travel Info for Bahrain
Travelnotes.org
Bahraini Embassy
Washington D.C.
Bahraini Government Web Sites
by Gunnar Anzinger.
