| Climate |
Summer: July-September, very hot
and humid (Avg. 36°C). Winter: December to February, cool
or mild with occasional rain (10°C - 20°C). Remaining
months: March to May and October to November, warm with occasional
pleasant breezes (20°C - 30°C). |
| Time |
Three hours ahead of GMT
(+3GMT) |
| Language |
Arabic is the official language
although English is widely used for business purposes and is usually
understood. |
| National Anthem |
|
| Religion |
Islam is practised by 85% of the population. However freedom of worship is permitted to other faiths including Hinduism, Parseeism, Judaism, Buddisim and Christianity. |
| Currency |
Bahraini Dinar (BD), constituted of 1000 fils. Fixed against the US dollar at 1US$ = BD0.3768 |
| Bank Notes |
500 fils, 1, 5, 10 and 20 Dinar More Details |
| Coins |
5, 10, 25, 50,100 and 500 fils |
| Flag |
Flag Description: Red with a White serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam.  |
| Business Hours |
Government offices - 07:00-14:15
(Saturday-Tuesday), 07:00-14:00 (Wednesday).
Banks - 07:30-12 noon (Saturday-Thursday), selected branches
also open a few hours some afternoons
Central Post Office (Manama, near Bab Al Bahrain) - 0700-1930
(Saturday-Thursday)
Shops - hours vary, but
typically 08:30-12:30 and 16:00-20:00 (Saturday to Thursday).
Many shops open half or full day on Friday as well. |
| Weekly Holiday |
Friday.
Government offices also close Thursday.
Many company offices also close half day on Thursday or all
day on Saturday. |
| Electricity Supply |
230 volts, 50 Hz except in Awali
where it is 110 volts, 60 Hz. Bahrain uses UK style 3-pin
power outlets. |
| Water |
Tap water is clean and free from
contamination. However for drinking
purposes "sweet water" is recommended. This is
widely sold by shops in bottles, or can be delivered to homes in
large containers. |
| Medical Facilities |
Bahrain has good quality modern
medical facilities. Treatment by the Kingdom medical services is available
to citizens and residents free, or at a nominal cost. There
are also several private hospitals. Well stock pharmacies
exist all over the Kingdom. |
| Visa's |
Required by all except nationals
of GCC states. 72 hours or seven day visa's are available at
the airport immigration desk and King Fahd Causeway. Visa's
are available at all Bahrain Embassies and Consulates.
Extensions are available from Department of Immigration, Manama. |
