ITT Technical Institute

Technology programs at more than 85 campus locations. Programs at ITT Technical Institute offer a variety of degree options, from Associate to Masters degrees.

Bahrain Government

Bahrain Government: A summary of information about Bahrain Government, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.

You are here:
All Countries > Bahrain > Bahrain Government

Bahrain: Government

Country name

conventional long form: State of Bahrain
conventional short form: Bahrain
local long form: Dawlat al Bahrayn
local short form: Al Bahrayn

Data code

BA

Government type

traditional monarchy

Capital

Manama

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

15 August 1971 (from UK)

National holiday

National Day, 16 December (1971)

Constitution

26 May 1973, effective 6 December 1973

Legal system

based on Islamic law and English common law

Suffrage

none

Executive branch

chief of state: Amir 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 monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed
by the monarch

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly was dissolved 26
August 1975 and legislative powers were assumed by the Cabinet;
appointed Advisory Council established 16 December 1992

Judicial branch

High Civil Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders

political parties prohibited

Political pressure groups and leaders

Shi'a activists have fomented
unrest sporadically since late 1994, demanding the return of an
elected National Assembly and an end to unemployment; several small,
clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF,
ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Muhammad ABD AL-GHAFFAR Abdallah
chancery: 3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:  (202) 342-0741
FAX:  (202) 362-2192
consulate(s) general: New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Johnny YOUNG
embassy: Building Number 979, Road 3119 (next to Al-Ahli Sports Club),
Block 311, Zinj District, Manama
mailing address: American Embassy Manama, PSC 451, FPO AE 09834-5100;
International Mail: American Embassy, Box 26431, Manama
telephone:  273-300
FAX:  272-594

Flag description

red with a white serrated band (eight white points)
on the hoist side