The Kingdom of Bahrain is an archipelago of low lying island located in the Arabian Gulf of the eastern shore of Saudi Arabia. Frequently called the Pearl of the Arabian Gulf, Bahrain has a history of more than 5,000 years of civilisation, from the mists of time to a vibrant present under a stable and prosperous government. Bahrain is the site of immortal Dilmun, religious centre to Summerians, Babylonians and Assyrians, as dramatic excavations prove. Subsequent visitors include Greeks from the time of Alexander the Great, Portuguese, Omanis and the English. Marvellous old sites and buildings compete with modern office buildings and colourful traditional markets.The climate is hot in summer and mild in winter. From November to April is very pleasant, with temperatures from 15 to 24 degrees centigrade. Temperatures are coolest between December and March when northerly winds prevail. From July to September temperatures average 36 degrees centigrade with high humidity.
Population
650604 (2001 est.)
Area
711.9 sq.km
Ethnicity/ Race
Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%
Major Languages
Arabic (official), English, Farsi and Urdu
Religion
Islam 85%, other faiths including Hinduism, Parseeism, Judaism, Buddisim and Christianity.
Capital City
Al Manamah
Major Cities
Al Muharraq
Currency
Bahraini Dinar(BD) = 1000 fils = $ 2.666 (approx.)
GCC States Envisage Joint Company For $14bn Railway
Gulf Today: Gulf Arab states are considering setting up a joint company to build a railway costing more than $ 14 billion linking the six oil producers, according to a study discussed by regional ministers. The railway will boost local and overseas tourism.
The 1,940-kilometre railway would connect Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, each of which would contribute a share of the start-up capital, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said in a feasibility study.
"It is proposed that the ownership and funding of the GCC railway be through a jointly-owned railway company," read the study, due to be presented to Gulf finance ministers and foreign ministers at a joint meeting. "The contribution of each member state to the overall project would be represented through their shareholding in the company," read the document.
Diesel-powered trains operating at speeds of up to 200 kilometres an hour would carry passengers and freight between the six countries, which are in the process of forming a regional economic bloc, including a common market, customs union and single currency.
"The project will support other initiatives within the GCC member states towards customs and monetary union and trade facilitation," the document said.
