Popular locations in Bahrain

Location: Middle East, archipelago in the Persian Gulf, east of Saudi Arabia

Population: 708,573

Religions: Muslim (Shi'a and Sunni) 81.2%, Christian 9%, other 9.8% (2001 census)

Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Urdu

National holiday: National Day, 16 December (1971); note - 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection

Currency (code): Bahraini dinar (BHD)

Exchange rates: Bahraini dinars per US dollar - 0.376 (2007), 0.376 (2006), 0.376 (2005), 0.376 (2004), 0.376 (2003)