POPULATION 656,397
MUSLIM 85 percent
OTHER 15 percent

Country Overview

Introduction

The Kingdom of Bahrain (the official name since 2002) is an archipelago of more than 36 islands in the Persian Gulf east of Saudi Arabia. It is a Muslim country represented by both Sunni and Shiite sects, and the background of its culture and society is religion. Islamic beliefs pervade the sociopolitical life of the people. Unlike in neighboring countries, where Sunnis predominate, Shiite Muslims make up more than two-thirds of Bahrain's population. Even so, Sunni Islam is the belief held by those in the government, military, and corporate sectors. The country has been controlled by the Al-Khalifa dynasty for the past two centuries.

The country's official language is Arabic, and the word "Bahrain" in Arabic means "two seas." English, Persian, and Urdu are also spoken. Foreigners, including Christians, Buddhists, and Hindus, along with a tiny congregation of indigenous Jews, make up...