The Government of Bahrain
Overview
- Capital: Manama
- Administrative regions: 4 governorates: Capital, Muharraq, Northern, and Southern
- Government & legal system: Constitutional hereditary monarchy — the King holds broad executive authority. Bicameral National Assembly, consisting of an elected Council of Representatives and an appointed Consultative (Shura) Council. Civil law system, with Sharia law governing family and personal-status matters. (government site)
- Head of state / government: King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King (head of state, since 2002, previously Emir since 1999); Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister (head of government, since 2020) (official page)
- Official language(s): Arabic (official)
- National Day: December 16 (National Day, marking Sheikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa’s 1961 accession); Accession Day is marked the following day, December 17
- Independence: August 15, 1971 (from Britain)
- Other official holidays: Accession Day (Dec 17), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: UN, Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
- Visa / entry requirements: Most nationalities can obtain a two-week visa on arrival or apply in advance through Bahrain’s e-Visa portal, run by the Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA). (visa info)
- Currency: Bahraini dinar (BHD) — one of the highest-valued currency units in the world. Notes depict national landmarks such as Qal’at al-Bahrain (Bahrain Fort) and the Al Fateh Grand Mosque rather than portraits of individuals.
- Flag symbolism: Red field with a white band along the hoist, separated from the red by a serrated line of five white triangles — red is a traditional color of the Gulf states, and the five points represent the five pillars of Islam
