Bahrain Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Bahrain, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military personnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Bahrain. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP). This handbook has been published as a joint effort within the Department of Defense (DoD). This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Production Community position on Bahrain. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for training. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS . 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy. 2 U.S. Consulate . 2 Entry Requirements . 2 Passport and Visa Requirements . 2 Immunization Requirements . 4 Customs Restrictions . 4 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 4 Geography . 4 Boundaries . 4 Topography . 5 Climate . 8 Environment . 9 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 9 Transportation . 9 Roads . 9 Rail . 11 Air . 11 Maritime . 12 Communication . 13 Radio and Television . 13 Telecommunications . 13 Newspapers and Magazines . 14 iii Contents (Continued) Postal Service . 14 Internet . 14 Satellite . 14 CULTURE . 14 Society . 14 People . 15 Education and Literacy Rates . 17 Religion . 17 Islam . 17 Shari’a or Islamic Law . 20 Sunni vs. Shi’a Islam . 20 Customs and Courtesies . 21 Greetings . 21 Gestures . 22 Basic Arab Religious Attitudes. 22 Basic Arab Self-Perceptions . 22 Rules of Etiquette . 23 Dress . 24 Eating . 24 Friendship . 25 Professional Relationships . 26 Family . 27 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 28 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel . 28 Food- or Waterborne Diseases . 28 Insect-, Tick-, and Miteborne Diseases . 29 Respiratory Diseases. 29 Sexually Transmitted and/or Blood-borne Diseases . 29 Animal-associated Diseases . 29 Other Diseases Present . 29 Medical Capabilities . 29 Key Medical Facilities . 30 iv Contents (Continued) HISTORY . 31 Chronology of Key Events . 33 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 34 Government . 34 Key Government Officials . 34 National Level . 34 Local Level . 35 Politics . 35 Elections . 35 Suffrage . 37 Parties and Pressure Groups . 37 Foreign Relations . 37 ECONOMY . 39 Statistics. 41 Resources . 41 Oil and Gas Reserves . 43 THREAT . 44 Crime . 44 Travel Security . 44 Terrorism . 44 Threat to U.S. Personnel . 44 ARMED FORCES . 45 Organization and Personnel . 45 Mission . 45 Training . 46 Equipment . 46 Key Defense Personnel . 47 Deployment . 47 Army . 48 Organization . 48 Equipment . 49 v Contents (Continued) Air Force . 50 Organization . 50 Equipment . 50 Navy . ..