Short facts about the government of Bahrain

Country name:

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

Government type:

constitutional 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); note - 15 August 1971 is the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 is the date of independence from British protection

Constitution:

adopted late December 2000 (new constitution calls for a partially elected legislature, a constitutional monarchy, and an independent judiciary)

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; the National Action Charter created a bicameral legislature on 23 December 2000; approved by referendum of 14 February 2001

Judicial branch:

High Civil Appeals Court

Political parties and leaders:

political parties prohibited

Political pressure groups and leaders:

Shi'a activists fomented unrest sporadically 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

International organization participation:

ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, 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 (vacant) chancery:  3502 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:  [1] (202) 342-0741 FAX:  [1] (202) 362-2192 consulate(s) general:  New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission:  Ambassador Johnny YOUNG embassy:  #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

Flag description:

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

Source: World Factbook