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Compare Western Sahara (2005) - Bahrain (2003)

Compare Western Sahara (2005) z Bahrain (2003)

 Western Sahara (2005)Bahrain (2003)
 Western SaharaBahrain
Administrative divisions none (under de facto control of Morocco) 12 municipalities (manatiq, singular - mintaqah); Al Hadd, Al Manamah, Al Mintaqah al Gharbiyah, Al Mintaqah al Wusta, Al Mintaqah ash Shamaliyah, Al Muharraq, Ar Rifa' wa al Mintaqah al Janubiyah, Jidd Hafs, Madinat Hamad, Madinat 'Isa, Juzur Hawar, Sitrah


note: all municipalities administered from Manama
Age structure 0-14 years: NA


15-64 years: NA


65 years and over: NA
0-14 years: 28.8% (male 97,294; female 94,930)


15-64 years: 68% (male 266,351; female 187,473)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,807; female 10,383) (2003 est.)
Agriculture - products fruits and vegetables (grown in the few oases); camels, sheep, goats (kept by nomads) fruit, vegetables; poultry, dairy products; shrimp, fish
Airports 11 (2004 est.) 4 (2002)
Airports - with paved runways total: 3


2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 3


over 3,047 m: 2


1524 to 2437 m: 1 (2002)
Airports - with unpaved runways total: 8


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1


914 to 1,523 m: 4


under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)
total: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2002)
Area total: 266,000 sq km


land: 266,000 sq km


water: 0 sq km
total: 665 sq km


land: 665 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative about the size of Colorado 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Background Morocco virtually annexed the northern two-thirds of Western Sahara (formerly Spanish Sahara) in 1976, and the rest of the territory in 1979, following Mauritania's withdrawal. A guerrilla war with the Polisario Front contesting Rabat's sovereignty ended in a 1991 UN-brokered cease-fire; a UN-organized referendum on final status has been repeatedly postponed. 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. The new amir, installed in 1999, has pushed economic and political reforms and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In February 2001, Bahraini voters approved a referendum on the National Action Charter - the centerpiece of the amir's political liberalization program. In February 2002, Amir HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself king. In October 2002, Bahrainis elected members of the lower house of Bahrain's reconstituted bicameral legislature, the National Assembly.
Birth rate NA births/1,000 population 19.02 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Budget revenues: NA


expenditures: NA, including capital expenditures of NA
revenues: $1.8 billion


expenditures: $2.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $700 million (2002 est.)
Capital none Manama
Climate hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew arid; mild, pleasant winters; very hot, humid summers
Coastline 1,110 km 161 km
Constitution - adopted late December 2000; Bahrani voters approved on 13-14 February 2001 a referendum on legislative changes (revised constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)
Country name conventional long form: none


conventional short form: Western Sahara


former: Spanish Sahara
conventional long form: Kingdom of Bahrain


conventional short form: Bahrain


local long form: Mamlakat al Bahrayn


local short form: Al Bahrayn


former: Dilmun
Currency - Bahraini dinar (BHD)
Death rate NA deaths/1,000 population 3.99 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Debt - external NA $3.7 billion (2002)
Diplomatic representation from the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald E. NEUMANN


embassy: Building #979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club), Block 321, Zinj District, Manama


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


telephone: [973] 273-300


FAX: [973] 272-594
Diplomatic representation in the US none chief of mission: Ambassador Khalifa bin Ali bin Rashid AL KHALIFA


chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 342-0741


FAX: [1] (202) 362-2192


consulate(s) general: New York
Disputes - international Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, whose sovereignty remains unresolved - UN-administered cease-fire has remained in effect since September 1991, administered by the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), but attempts to hold a referendum have failed and parties thus far have rejected all brokered proposals none
Economic aid - recipient NA $150 million; note - $50 million annually since 1992 from each of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait (2002)
Economy - overview Western Sahara depends on pastoral nomadism, fishing, and phosphate mining as the principal sources of income for the population. The territory lacks sufficient rainfall for sustainable agricultural production, and most of the food for the urban population must be imported. All trade and other economic activities are controlled by the Moroccan Government. Moroccan energy interests in 2001 signed contracts to explore for oil off the coast of Western Sahara, which has angered the Polisario. Incomes and standards of living in Western Sahara are substantially below the Moroccan level. In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from refining imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
Electricity - consumption 83.7 million kWh (2002) 5.819 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - exports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - imports 0 kWh (2002) 0 kWh (2001)
Electricity - production 90 million kWh (2002) 6.257 billion kWh (2001)
Electricity - production by source - fossil fuel: 100%


hydro: 0%


nuclear: 0%


other: 0% (2001)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 m


highest point: unnamed location 463 m
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m


highest point: Jabal ad Dukhan 122 m
Environment - current issues sparse water and lack of arable land 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: none of the selected agreements


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups Arab, Berber Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%
Exchange rates Moroccan dirhams per US dollar - 8.868 (2004), 9.5744 (2003), 11.0206 (2002), 11.303 (2001), 10.6256 (2000) Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.38 (2002), 0.38 (2001), 0.38 (2000), 0.38 (1999), 0.38 (1998)
Executive branch none 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 NA 1971)


cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch


elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch
Exports NA NA (2001)
Exports - commodities phosphates 62% petroleum and petroleum products, aluminum, textiles
Exports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts US 4.5%, India 3.2%, Saudi Arabia 2.1% (2002)
Fiscal year calendar year calendar year
Flag description - red with a white serrated band (five white points) on the hoist side; the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
GDP - purchasing power parity - $9.91 billion (2002 est.)
GDP - composition by sector agriculture: NA


industry: NA


services: 40% (1996 est.)
agriculture: 1%


industry: 35%


services: 64% (2001 est.)
GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - NA purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2002 est.)
GDP - real growth rate NA 2.9% (2002 est.)
Geographic coordinates 24 30 N, 13 00 W 26 00 N, 50 33 E
Geography - note the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Heliports - 1 (2002)
Highways total: 6,200 km


paved: 1,350 km


unpaved: 4,850 km (1991 est)
total: 3,261 km


paved: 2,531 km


unpaved: 730 km (2000)
Household income or consumption by percentage share lowest 10%: NA


highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA%


highest 10%: NA%
Imports NA NA (2001)
Imports - commodities fuel for fishing fleet, foodstuffs crude oil, machinery, chemicals
Imports - partners Morocco claims and administers Western Sahara, so trade partners are included in overall Moroccan accounts Saudi Arabia 30.1%, US 11.7%, Japan 7.1%, Germany 6.5%, UK 5.6% (2002)
Independence - 15 August 1971 (from UK)
Industrial production growth rate NA 2% (2000 est.)
Industries phosphate mining, handicrafts petroleum processing and refining, aluminum smelting, offshore banking, ship repairing; tourism
Infant mortality rate total: NA


male: NA


female: NA
total: 18.59 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 15.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) NA 0.5% (2002 est.)
International organization participation none ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) - 1 (2000)
Irrigated land NA sq km 50 sq km (1998 est.)
Judicial branch - High Civil Appeals Court
Labor force 12,000 295,000


note: 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (1998 est.)
Labor force - by occupation animal husbandry and subsistence farming 50% industry, commerce, and service 79%, government 20%, agriculture 1% (1997 est.)
Land boundaries total: 2,046 km


border countries: Algeria 42 km, Mauritania 1,561 km, Morocco 443 km
0 km
Land use arable land: 0.02%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 99.98% (2001)
arable land: 4.35%


permanent crops: 4.35%


other: 91.3% (1998 est.)
Languages Hassaniya Arabic, Moroccan Arabic Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu
Legal system - based on Islamic law and English common law
Legislative branch - bicameral Parliament consists of Shura Council (40 members appointed by the King) and House of Deputies (40 members directly elected to serve four-year terms)


elections: House of Deputies - last held 31 October 2002 (next election to be held NA 2006)


election results: House of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - independents 21, Sunni Islamists 9, other 10


note: first elections since 7 December 1973; unicameral National Assembly dissolved 26 August 1975; National Action Charter created bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum 14 February 2001; first legislative session of Parliament held on 25 December 2002
Life expectancy at birth total population: NA years


male: NA years


female: NA years
total population: 73.72 years


male: 71.28 years


female: 76.24 years (2003 est.)
Literacy definition: NA


total population: NA%


male: NA%


female: NA%
definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 89.1%


male: 91.9%


female: 85% (2003 est.)
Location Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia
Map references Africa Middle East
Maritime claims contingent upon resolution of sovereignty issue contiguous zone: 24 NM


continental shelf: extending to boundaries to be determined


territorial sea: 12 NM
Merchant marine - total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 234,599 GRT/336,528 DWT


ships by type: bulk 3, cargo 1, container 2, petroleum tanker 1, includes a foreign-owned ship registered here as a flag of convenience: Kuwait 1 (2002 est.)
Military branches - Bahrain Defense Forces (BDF) comprising Ground Force (includes Air Defense), Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Police Force, Amiri Guards, National Guard
Military expenditures - dollar figure - $526.2 million (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 6.7% (FY01)
Military manpower - availability - males age 15-49: 222,242 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service - males age 15-49: 121,739 (2003 est.)
Military manpower - military age - 15 years of age (2003 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually - males: 6,126 (2003 est.)
National holiday - National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection
Nationality noun: Sahrawi(s), Sahraoui(s)


adjective: Sahrawi, Sahrawian, Sahraouian
noun: Bahraini(s)


adjective: Bahraini
Natural hazards hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility periodic droughts; dust storms
Natural resources phosphates, iron ore oil, associated and nonassociated natural gas, fish, pearls
Net migration rate - 1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)
Pipelines - gas 20 km; oil 53 km (2003)
Political parties and leaders - political parties prohibited but politically oriented societies are allowed
Political pressure groups and leaders none Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically in 1994-97, demanding the return of an elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active
Population 273,008 (July 2005 est.) 667,238


note: includes 235,108 non-nationals (July 2003 est.)
Population below poverty line NA NA%
Population growth rate NA 1.61% (2003 est.)
Ports and harbors Ad Dakhla, Cabo Bojador, Laayoune (El Aaiun) Manama, Mina' Salman, Sitrah
Radio broadcast stations AM 2, FM 0, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 2, FM 3, shortwave 0 (1998)
Railways - 0 km
Religions Muslim Shi'a Muslim 70%, Sunni Muslim 30%
Sex ratio NA at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1.42 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female


total population: 1.28 male(s)/female (2003 est.)
Suffrage none; a UN-sponsored voter identification campaign not yet completed 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: sparse and limited system


domestic: NA


international: country code - 212; tied into Morocco's system by microwave radio relay, tropospheric scatter, and satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) linked to Rabat, Morocco
general assessment: modern system


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


international: tropospheric scatter to Qatar and UAE; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; submarine cable to Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat (1997)
Telephones - main lines in use about 2,000 (1999 est.) 152,000 (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular 0 (1999) 58,543 (1997)
Television broadcast stations NA 4 (1997)
Terrain mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast mostly low desert plain rising gently to low central escarpment
Total fertility rate NA children born/woman 2.71 children born/woman (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate NA 15% (1998 est.)
Waterways - none
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