Bahrain intro
Bahrain, Special Report, 9/22/1997

The first references to Bahrain in recorded history go back to the third millennium BC when it was known as Dilmun, the paradise described in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The island was a natural stopover for vessels trading between Sumer and the Civilizations of Indus valley because of the perennial availability of sweet water. Archaeological evidence indicates that Bahrain was first inhabited some 50,000 years ago and possibly up to 100,000 years ago. Some of the flint tools found suggest that agriculture may have been practiced on the island as long ago as 8,000 BC.

Bahrain, an archipelago of over 35 islands, with a total land area in excess of 700 sqare km, is the site of the fabled 4,000 year-old.

Bahrain has a one of the highest standards of living in the world, and Manama, the capital, is a key banking center in the global financial network.

Bahrain's population of around 550,000 consists of a significant percentage of expatriates from all over the world. The locals and expatriates live together and interact in a rare bond of fraternity and brotherhood.

Bahrain has made tremendous progress in health care, education, social welfare and housing. And has a modern industrial and business infrastructure in place, including advanced telecommunications facilities and is actively promoting foreign investment. Oil production and refining continue to be an important economic sector in Bahrain..

The Bahrain dinar is linked to the US dollar at 1 US dollar =0.377 dinar. The dinar is divided into 1,000 fils. Notes are available in denominations of 1/2 dinar, one dinar, five dinars, ten dinars and twenty dinars. In Bahrain there is no restrictions on the import and export of currency.

Arabic is the official language, although English is widely understood and used by most businessmen.

Islam is the religion of Bahrain the 70% of them Shiite and most of them from Iranian roots.

The non-Bahraini in Bahrain make up 36% of the total population, and the labor force is 22,600.

Imports recorded in Bahrain total 4.252 million US dollars per year and exports 456 million US dollars.

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