POPULATION: 598,625 (official estimate 1996).

POPULATION DENSITY: 846.7 per sq km.

CAPITAL: Manama. Population: 140,401 (1992).

GEOGRAPHY: Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia's east coast and the Qatar peninsula. At the centre of the island is the highest point, Jebel Dukhan. The majority of Bahrain's oil wells are to be found in this area. The main island has the valuable asset of an adequate supply of fresh water, unique in the region, both on land and offshore. There are extensive date gardens to the north with irrigated vegetable and fruit gardens. The strategic 25km- (1.5-mile) long King Fahad Causeway links Bahrain with Saudi Arabia.

LANGUAGE: The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken.

RELIGION: Islam is practiced by around 85% of Bahranian society. Worship by other faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism is also permitted.

TIME: GMT + 3.

ELECTRICITY: 230 volts AC, 50Hz (Awali, 120 volts AC, 60Hz). Lamp fittings are of both the bayonet and screw types. Plug fittings are normally of the 13-amp pin type.

COMMUNICATIONS: Telephone: Full IDD service is available to over 204 locations. Country code: 973. Outgoing international code: 0. Blue phone booths are coin-operated while the red booths are phone-card operated. However, all phone booths are currently in the process of being changed to an all-silver colour. Phone cards can be purchased in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25 Dinars. Reduced rates are in operation between 1900-0700 Monday-Thursday and all day on Friday. BATELCO have mobile phones available for hire on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Facilities are provided for video conferencing, digital data networks, mobile links and satellite-linked skyphones for direct communication with airborne aircraft anywhere in the world. Fax: Bahrain Telecommunications Company (BATELCO) operates a service from the Batelco Building on Government Avenue. Telegram: Bahrain possesses one of the most modern international communications networks in the Gulf. A 24-hour service is run by Cable & Wireless, Mercury House, Al-Khalifa Avenue, Manama, as well as at the airport. Post: Airmail service to Europe takes three to four days. The main post office is near Bab al-Bahrian in Manama; opening hours 0700-1930 Saturday-Thursday. Efficient 1-day international courier services operate out of Bahrain. Press: There are two Arabic dailies – Al-Ayam and Akhbar Al Khaleej. The two English-language dailies are the Gulf Daily News and Bahrain Tribune. A number of Arabic and English language business magazines are published locally. Radio/TV: Radio Bahrain is broadcast in English 24 hours a day on 96.5 and 101 FM. American Armed Forces Radio can be heard on 104 FM and 107.9 Khz. There are 4 terrestrial channels, two in English (Channel 55 and BBC World Service) and two Arabic channels.

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