Official name | Kingdom of Bahrain |
Date established | 14 August 1971 (Independence from UK) |
Region | Asia — Middle East (Gulf) |
Capital city | Manama |
Population (2024 est.) | ~1.55 million |
Area | 780 km² |
Density | ~1,987/km² |
Currency | Bahraini dinar (BHD) |
Official language | Arabic |
Time zone | AST (UTC+3) |
Calling code | +973 |
Major religions | Islam (Shia and Sunni) |
Emergency – Police | 999 |
Emergency – Rescue/Ambulance | 998 |
National symbol | Red-white flag, Dilmun heritage |
National flower | Sunflower (locally symbolic) |
National animal | Arabian oryx |
National sport | Football (soccer) |
Literacy rate | ~95% |
Human Development Index | 0.875 |
GDP (nominal, 2024) | ~$49.6 billion |
Major industry | Oil refining, banking, tourism |
National festival | National Day — 16 December |
Climate | Arid desert, very hot summers |