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Compare Christmas Island (2006) - Bahrain (2007)

Compare Christmas Island (2006) z Bahrain (2007)

 Christmas Island (2006)Bahrain (2007)
 Christmas IslandBahrain
Administrative divisions none (territory of Australia) 5 governorates; Asamah, Janubiyah, Muharraq, Shamaliyah, Wasat


note: each governorate administered by an appointed governor
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA (2006 est.)
0-14 years: 26.9% (male 96,217/female 94,275)


15-64 years: 69.5% (male 284,662/female 207,555)


65 years and over: 3.7% (male 13,451/female 12,413) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products NA fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Airports 1 (2006) 3 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 2


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2007)
Area total: 135 sq km


land: 135 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 665 sq km


land: 665 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about three-quarters the size of Washington, DC 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Named in 1643 for the day of its discovery, the island was annexed and settlement began by the UK in 1888. Phosphate mining began in the 1890s. The UK transferred sovereignty to Australia in 1958. Almost two-thirds of the island has been declared a national park. In 1782, the Al Khalifa family captured Bahrain from the Persians. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Facing declining oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining and has transformed itself into an international banking center. King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa, after coming to power in 1999, pushed economic and political reforms to improve relations with the Shi'a community and Shi'a political societies participated in 2006 parliamentary and municipal elections. Al Wifaq, the largest Shi'a political society, won the largest number of seats in the elected chamber of the legislature. However, Shi'a discontent has resurfaced in recent years with street demonstrations and occasional low-level violence.
Birth rate NA 17.53 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget revenues: $NA


expenditures: $NA
revenues: $4.894 billion


expenditures: $4.516 billion (2006 est.)
Capital name: The Settlement


geographic coordinates: 18 44 N, 64 19 W


time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
name: Manama


geographic coordinates: 26 14 N, 50 34 E


time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical with a wet and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds; wet season (December to April) arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Coastline 138.9 km 161 km
Constitution Christmas Island Act of 1958-59 (1 October 1958) as amended by the Territories Law Reform Act of 1992 adopted 14 February 2002
Country name conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island


conventional short form: Christmas Island
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain


conventional short form: Bahrain


local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn


local short form: Al Bahrayn


former: Dilmun
Death rate NA 4.21 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external - $7.159 billion (2006 est.)
Dependency status non-self governing territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador J. Adam ERELI


embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 331, Zinj District, Manama


mailing address: PSC 451, Box 660, FPO AE 09834-5100; international mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama


telephone: [973] 1724-2700


FAX: [973] 1727-0547
Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of Australia) chief of mission: Ambassador Nasir bin Muhammad al-BALUSHI


chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 342-1111


FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international none none
Economic aid - recipient $NA $103.9 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from the UAE and Kuwait (2004)
Economy - overview Phosphate mining had been the only significant economic activity, but in December 1987 the Australian Government closed the mine. In 1991, the mine was reopened. With the support of the government, a $34 million casino opened in 1993. The casino closed in 1998. The Australian Government in 2001 agreed to support the creation of a commercial space-launching site on the island, projected to begin operations in the near future. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Petroleum production and refining account for over 60% of Bahrain's export receipts, over 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied industries), underpinning Bahrain's strong economic growth in recent years. Other major segments of Bahrain's economy are the financial and construction sectors. Bahrain is actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its economy to reduce the country's dependence on oil. As part of this effort, in August 2006 Bahrain and the US implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
Electricity - consumption - 7.614 billion kWh (2005)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2005)
Electricity - production - 8.187 billion kWh (2005)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: Murray Hill 361 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Environment - current issues loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining desertification resulting from the degradation of limited arable land, periods of drought, and dust storms; coastal degradation (damage to coastlines, coral reefs, and sea vegetation) resulting from oil spills and other discharges from large tankers, oil refineries, and distribution stations; lack of freshwater resources, groundwater and seawater are the only sources for all water needs
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10%


note: no indigenous population (2001)
Bahraini 62.4%, non-Bahraini 37.6% (2001 census)
Exchange rates Australian dollars per US dollar - 1.3095 (2005), 1.3598 (2004), 1.5419 (2003), 1.8406 (2002), 1.9334 (2001) Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003), 0.376 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by the Australian governor general


head of government: Administrator Neil LUCAS (since 30 January 2006)


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia and represents the monarch and Australia
chief of state: King 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 1971); Deputy Prime Ministers ALI bin Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, MUHAMMAD bin Mubarak al-Khalifa, Jawad al-ARAIDH


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Exports $NA NA bbl/day
Exports - commodities phosphate petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners Australia, NZ (2004) Saudi Arabia 3.2%, US 3%, Japan 2.3%


note: excludes oil exports (2006)
Fiscal year 1 July - 30 June calendar year
Flag description territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper hoist to lower fly; the upper triangle is green with a yellow image of the Golden Bosun Bird superimposed, while the lower triangle is blue with the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia, superimposed; a centered yellow disk displays a green map of the island; the flag of Australia is used for official purposes red, the traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf states, with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 0.3%


industry: 45%


services: 54.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 7.1% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 10 30 S, 105 40 E 26 00 N, 50 33 E
Geography - note located along major sea lanes of Indian Ocean close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Heliports - 1 (2007)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports $NA NA bbl/day
Imports - commodities consumer goods crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners principally Australia (2004) Saudi Arabia 37.6%, Japan 6.8%, US 6.2%, UK 6.2%, Germany 5.1%, UAE 4.2% (2006)
Independence none (territory of Australia) 15 August 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate - 2% (2000 est.)
Industries tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, iron pelletization, fertilizers, offshore banking, insurance, ship repairing, tourism
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 16.18 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 18.89 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 2.1% (2006 est.)
International organization participation none ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land NA 40 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch Supreme Court; District Court; Magistrate's Court High Civil Appeals Court
Labor force NA 352,000


note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture: 1%


industry: 79%


services: 20% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km 0 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (mainly tropical rainforest; 63% of the island is a national park) (2005)
arable land: 2.82%


permanent crops: 5.63%


other: 91.55% (2005)
Languages English (official), Chinese, Malay Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Legal system under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law based on Islamic law and English common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Christmas Island Shire Council (9 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)


elections: held every two years with half the members standing for election; last held in May 2005 (next to be held in May 2007)


election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 9
bicameral legislature consists of the Consultative Council (40 members appointed by the King) and the Council of Representatives or Chamber of Deputies (40 seats; members directly elected to serve four-year terms)


elections: Council of Representatives - last held November-December 2006 (next election to be held in 2010)


election results: Council of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - al Wifaq (Shia) 17, al Asala (Sunni Salafi) 5, al Minbar (Sunni Muslim Brotherhood) 7, independents 11; note - seats by party as of February 2007 - al Wifaq 17, al Asala 8, al Minbar 7, al Mustaqbal (Moderate Sunni pro-government) 4, unassociated independents (all Sunni) 3, independent affiliated with al Wifaq (Sunni oppositionist) 1
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total population: 74.68 years


male: 72.18 years


female: 77.25 years (2007 est.)
Literacy NA definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 86.5%


male: 88.6%


female: 83.6% (2001 census)
Location Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Map references Southeast Asia Middle East
Maritime claims territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 12 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


contiguous zone: 24 nm


continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined
Merchant marine - total: 7 ships (1000 GRT or over) 220,264 GRT/314,289 DWT


by type: bulk carrier 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1


foreign-owned: 3 (Kuwait 3) (2007)
Military - note defense is the responsibility of Australia -
Military branches - Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF): Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Naval Force, Air Force, National Guard
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 4.5% (2006)
National holiday Australia Day, 26 January (1788) National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection
Nationality noun: Christmas Islander(s)


adjective: Christmas Island
noun: Bahraini(s)


adjective: Bahraini
Natural hazards the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard periodic droughts; dust storms
Natural resources phosphate, beaches oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Net migration rate NA 0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Pipelines - gas 20 km; oil 52 km (2006)
Political parties and leaders none political parties prohibited but political societies were legalized per a July 2005 law
Political pressure groups and leaders none Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97 and have recently engaged in protests with occasional low-level violence; protests related to a host of issues, including the 2002 constitution, elections, unemployment, and release of detainees; Sunni Islamist legislators support a greater role for Shari'a in daily life; several small leftist and other groups are active
Population 1,493 (July 2006 est.) 708,573


note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line - NA%
Population growth rate 0% (2006 est.) 1.392% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (2006) AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Religions Buddhist 36%, Muslim 25%, Christian 18%, other 21% (1997) Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.021 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.372 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.084 male(s)/female


total population: 1.255 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage - 20 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: service provided by the Australian network


domestic: GSM mobile telephone service replaced older analog system in February 2005


international: country code - 61-8; satellite earth stations - one INTELSAT earth station provides telephone and telex service (2005)
general assessment: modern system


domestic: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile-cellular telephones


international: country code - 973; landing point for the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) submarine cable network that provides links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, and US; tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 1 (2007)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 193,300 (2006)
Telephones - mobile cellular NA 898,900 (2006)
Television broadcast stations 0; note - TV broadcasts received via satellite from mainland Australia (2006) 4 (1997)
Terrain steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Total fertility rate NA 2.57 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate - 15% (2005 est.)
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