| Country name: |
conventional long form:
State of Bahrain
conventional short form:
Bahrain
local long form:
Dawlat al Bahrayn
local short form:
Al Bahrayn
former:
Dilmun
|
| Government type: |
constitutional monarchy
|
| Administrative divisions: |
12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah
note:
all municipalities administered from Manama
|
| Independence: |
15 August 1971 (from UK)
|
| National holiday: |
National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection
|
| Constitution: |
adopted late December 2000 (new constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)
|
| Legal system: |
based on Islamic law and English common law
|
| Executive branch: |
chief of state:
Amir 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 NA 1971)
cabinet:
Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections:
none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
|
| Legislative branch: |
unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26 August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet; appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992; the National Action Charter created a bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum of 14 February 2001
|
| Judicial branch: |
High Civil Appeals Court
|
| Political parties and leaders: |
political parties prohibited
|
| Political pressure groups and leaders: |
Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
|
| International organization participation: |
ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
|
| Diplomatic representation in the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador (vacant)
chancery:
3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 342-0741
FAX:
[1] (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general:
New York
|
| Diplomatic representation from the US: |
chief of mission:
Ambassador Johnny YOUNG
embassy:
#979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address:
American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone:
[973] 273-300
FAX:
[973] 272-594
|
| Flag description: |
red with a white serrated band (eight white points) on the hoist side
|
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