The Host Country

Area, Geography, and Climate

The State of Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 small, low-lying islands in the Persian Gulf, halfway down the east coast of Saudi Arabia and about 15 miles from the Saudi mainland. Total land area is about 300 square miles.

Five of the six principal islands are linked by a causeway system. Bahrain Island, where the capital city of Manama is located, is the largest and is about 30 miles long and 10-12 miles wide. A four-lane causeway links Manama with the island and town of Muharraq, site of the newly expanded international airport. Bridges also connect Sitra, Nabih Saleh, and Um al-Nassan Islands to Bahrain Island, which is linked to the mainland of Saudi Arabia by a causeway to Dhahran and Al-Khobar.

Bahrain has a desert climate in one of the world’s hottest areas. The hottest weather is from May to September, although some respite is experienced in May when a north wind blows. Summer discomfort is increased by high humidity, particularly in the evenings from June through September. Most buildings and all Embassy staff housing are air-conditioned. The weather is pleasant from November through May. During this period, infrequent rainfall, combined with poor soil drainage and few storm sewers, causes muddy city streets and pools of standing water in some areas.

A narrow strip of land along the northern and northwestern coasts of Bahrain Island is cultivated with date palms, alfalfa, and vegetables. A desert, punctuated by a north-south plateau, extends south of the cultivated area. Surrounding this plateau is a rolling basin in turn surrounded by overhanging bluffs sloping into the sea. The ground is hard and infertile with a gravel surface. In the spring, however, a pale, soft green covering appears on the desert following the winter rains, providing a welcome contrast to summer’s aridity.

Population

If not quite a melting pot, Bahrain is certainly a composite of peoples. The population is estimated at 666,000 (1999 census), of whom 38% are non-Bahrainis. Bahrainis are Muslims, divided between a Shi’a population and the ruling Sunnis. The Shi’a community is itself principally split between ethnic Arabs and Iranians. Asians, principally Indians and Pakistanis, comprise the majority of resident foreigners. Bahrain has a large Western community, which includes about 6,000 British and approximately 3,000 Americans. The majority of the indigenous population is under 25.

Bahrainis are cosmopolitan people, noted for their hospitality, moderation, and tolerance. Although many still wear traditional Arab dress, others wear Western clothing. Modern Bahraini culture is the latest in a succession of civilizations dating back thousands of years. The island of Bahrain was originally called Dilmun in the Babylonian and Sumerian eras, Tylos in the Seleucid era, then Awal, and finally, Bahrain.

Public Institutions

The extended Al-Khalifa family has ruled the State of Bahrain since the late 18^th century and dominates Bahrain’s society and Government. The constitution confirms the Amir as hereditary ruler. He governs with the assistance of his uncle, the Prime Minister, and an appointed Cabinet.

Bahrain maintained a treaty relationship with the U.K. from the mid-19^th century until 1971, when the Government declared its independence. During that period, Britain conducted Bahrain’s foreign relations and ensured its defense. The Amir also employed a British adviser from 1926 to 1956. As a result of these formal and informal ties with Great Britain, combined with the mercantile and adaptive spirit of the Bahraini people, Bahrain was able to build its own society. It established public schools, an effective and efficient modern bureaucracy, a Western legal system, and a sophisticated economy at an earlier stage than its Arabian Gulf neighbors. Bahrainis continue to welcome foreign contributions to the economic and social life of the country.

Since independence, Bahrain has joined the U.N., the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 to coordinate developmental, educational, commercial, and security affairs among its six Arab Gulf state members.

Art, Science, and Education

The first public school in Bahrain opened in 1919. The literacy level is high by regional standards. Bahrain was the first country in the area to introduce co-education in public schools. Many Bahrainis are well educated and well traveled. Many have studied at the American University of Beirut or in England, Egypt, or the United States. English is widely spoken, especially in the business community. Knowledge of Arabic is not essential, but the ability to use Arabic opens many doors in Bahrain and increases social access for Westerners.

Bahrain has a national university and a college of health sciences. The regional Arabian Gulf University is also situated in Bahrain. Its medical school opened in the fall of 1984. Its campus is a modern architectural marvel, with separate facilities for men and women.

Bahrain features a number of talented artists whose works are displayed and sold at frequent exhibitions.

The role of Bahraini women is changing: their position in society is expanding and developing. Many opportunities in both education and business, never before open to Arabian Peninsular women, have become available. Although such change is slow, it is, nevertheless, an important fact. Some women still wear the "abaya," a traditional black cloth covering the whole body, outside their homes. Other Bahraini women dress in the latest European fashions, drive cars, and occupy positions of responsibility, including mid-level Government posts.

Commerce and Industry

Bahrainis view their country as the Gulf’s natural commercial center and have inherited an ancient tradition of trade, travel, and receptivity to cultural influences from abroad. They are cosmopolitan and accept many Western customs.

Much of Bahrain’s current prosperity can be traced to the discovery of oil in 1932, the first find on the Arab side of the gulf. Bahrain does not have a large oil reserve and, therefore, has sought to diversify its industrial base. Banking, communications, oil-related services, general commerce, and industries – including aluminum smelting and downstream product production, – have broadened the base of economic activity in the country.

Some 90 American firms are well established in Bahrain, capitalizing on the geographic, service, and environmental advantages of having regional offices in Bahrain.

Despite modernization, traditional enterprises have not disappeared. Handmade Arab dhows ply the seas as they have for more than 1,000 years. From the sea come a variety of fish, including delicious shrimp. Expensive natural pearls, once the economic mainstay of the island, are still found in limited commercial quantities, and Bahrainis take great pride in their quality and color. A limited number of craftsmen continue to make traditional baskets, cloth, and pottery. A variety of imported handicrafts from Middle Eastern and South Asian countries are also available in local markets.

Transportation

Automobiles

All family members 18 and over, who intend to drive in Bahrain, should bring a valid U.S. driver’s license. Local authorities permit U.S. license holders to drive for one month until a permanent Bahraini license is obtained.

Bahrain’s climate and roads shorten a car’s life span and many people find a used car adequate in this small country. Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors products are available in Bahrain.

New cars are expensive compared to U.S. prices. European and Japanese autos are still somewhat cheaper than U.S. models, and diplomatic passport holders can obtain a 20% import duty rebate on the wholesale price of a new car bought from a local dealer. Resale values at the end of tour are average. The local market for used cars is active, and personnel seeking a secondhand vehicle quickly find a suitable car. A medium-sized, light-colored compact car, with six or fewer cylinders and air-conditioning, is considered ideal. Do not import cars with darkly tinted windows that do not permit passengers to be seen from the outside. The Bahrain Traffic Directorate does not normally register cars with darkly tinted windows, although in recent years they have permitted registration on the condition that U.S. government employee owners sign a waiver promising to export the vehicle prior to departing Bahrain.

Although it is difficult to drive large cars in many parts of Manama, they are very common. A mechanically simple car is preferable since maintenance/repair can be expensive, and spare parts are often in short supply. Air-conditioning is a necessity here for 10 months of the year. Tubeless tires are repaired with tubes, and radial/steel-belted tires deteriorate quickly in the extreme heat. Local third-party insurance is required and is available for less than $100 for most cars, while full coverage costs about 5% of the value of the car. Gasoline prices are comparably lower than U.S. prices. A U.S. gallon of regular costs about $0.85; high-test about $1.06. There is no unleaded gasoline available at this time.

Rental cars are available locally, from about $397 to $550 a month, depending on condition and comfort options requested.

Local

A network of roads connects Manama with other villages on Bahrain Island and to the three neighboring islands. Most major roads in the northern third of Bahrain are four-lane and well maintained. In the older parts of Manama and Muharraq, many streets are narrow and twisting and often in poor condition. Pedestrians, hawkers, and cars congest the minor streets, making driving difficult and dangerous, particularly in the market ("souq") area. Roundabouts (traffic circles) are found at most intersections. Even though Bahrain’s 140,000 registered vehicles are beginning to congest the streets, the drive to work from most residential areas where Embassy staffers live takes no more than 15-20 minutes. Taxis are readily available but most are not metered, so fares are subject to intense negotiation. An official tariff list is published and available at the Embassy, but few drivers adhere to it.

Buses operate regularly, but are often crowded and sometimes require lengthy waiting periods in extreme heat. They are not air-conditioned and are not considered a suitable alternative to taxis by most Westerners.

Regional

Bahrain International Airport’s ultra-modern new terminal is one of the busiest in the Gulf. Approximately 22 carriers serve Bahrain with connections to other Middle Eastern destinations, Europe, Africa, and the Far East. There are no direct flights between Bahrain and North or South America. Bahrain also has a modern, busy port, offering direct and frequent cargo shipping connections to the U.S., Europe, and the Far East. The four-lane causeway linking Bahrain with Saudi Arabia is open to vehicle traffic, affording access to most parts of the mainland. Only males are permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia.

Communications

Telephone and Telegraph

Bahrain has one of the most efficient telephone networks in the Middle East. A radio and telecommunications station links the Gulf, via INTELSAT, with the rest of the world. A call to the U.S. usually takes only a few seconds to place, with good connections, and costs about $1.29 a minute. Reduced rates ($1.04 a minute) are in effect between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily, and all day Friday. INET services are available, in addition to AT&T and MCI "Dial America." Obtain a telephone credit card before coming to post.

Mail and Pouch

Correspondence directed to non-U.S. addresses goes through international mail. To U.S. addresses, authorized U.S. Embassy staff use the Fleet Post Office (FPO) provided by the U.S. Navy in Bahrain. The FPO currently provides reasonable service, including package mail. It usually takes 7 days for a letter to be delivered. The FPO address is as follows:

Name

American Embassy

PSC 451

FPO AE 09834-5100

Bahraini international mail is also a quick and safe method of corresponding with the U.S. The international mailing address is:

Name

American Embassy

Post Office Box 26431

Manama, Bahrain

Radio and TV

Several TV stations can be received clearly in Bahrain. Channel availability is strictly dependent on each housing compound, and the selection varies widely. The Bahraini Government-owned station has both Arabic- and English- language services. The latter airs from 5 to 11 p.m. and includes a 30 minute English-language newscast, as well as American series, movies, cartoons, and British and Indian programs. BBC World Service Television from Hong Kong is broadcast over open TV channels. CNN is available on a pay-for-service channel, as are a large number of other stations broadcasting American films and T.V. shows. Another English-language station is transmitted by ARAMCO from neighboring Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. This station presents mostly rerun American programs, but also offers several recently taped sports events on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Programming is provided only during the late afternoon and evening and is entirely English. With a suitable antenna, you can pick up four other stations, including Qatar, Dubai, and Kuwait. The English-language newspapers carry tentative schedules for some of these stations.

All local TV stations use the European scan (PAL/SECAM 625 lines); American NTSC TV’s are not compatible and will not work. In addition to regular programs, an active video rental market with many current movies is available.

ARAMCO also maintains an excellent AM/FM radio service. On two wavelengths ARAMCO presents popular, classical, country-western, and rock music. Radio Bahrain has an AM/FM stereo service with strong signals broadcasting modern and classical music, topical programs, and English newscasts on two channels. English programming from Qatar and Dubai is also received. The latest news is broadcast on short-wave and medium-wave by VOA’s Middle East and African services during the morning and evening, as well as by the World Service of the BBC and by Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS). A dependable short-wave receiver is desirable due to atmospheric conditions around Bahrain, which frequently cause poor reception, especially of VOA. Equipment must be adjustable to the local 220V, 50-cycle power. An all-channel TV antenna that also serves for FM stereo might be the best buy, and these are available locally.

Newspapers, Magazines, and Technical Journals

The Gulf Daily News and Bahrain Tribune are the two daily English-language papers published in Bahrain and directed toward the English-speaking community. The English-language Gulf News is available daily from the U.A.E. The International Herald Tribune usually arrives a day after publication and costs about $2 per issue.

International newsmagazines such as Time, Newsweek, and The Economist are available uncensored locally at several bookstores. Women’s magazines, mostly British, and hobby and sports magazines are found on many newsstands. These are expensive, so it is preferable to subscribe to magazines using the FPO mailing address. Weekly magazines arriving via FPO are normally only 1-2 weeks late. Bookstores have a limited selection of titles, which are more expensive than in the United States.

Health and Medicine

Medical Facilities

Embassy personnel needing medical attention may use, on a limited basis, the clinic at the U.S. Naval Support Activity (NSA), which has Navy doctors, nurses, and corpsmen. The doctors refer patients to local specialists for consultations, x-rays, and certain diagnostic care. Medical emergencies that cannot be handled in Bahrain, as well as medical cases requiring specialist care or sophisticated diagnostic care, are usually evacuated to London.

The oldest hospital in Bahrain, the American Mission Hospital – run by the Mission of the Reformed Church in America – and the newest, the International Hospital, have both been used by Embassy employees requiring basic and emergency hospital care. Emergency services are also available at the Bahrain Defence Force hospital in Riffa, and Awali Hospital.

Routine dental care is available at the NSA upon referral by the Embassy nurse and at local Bahraini medical facilities, but it is advisable to have a thorough checkup and treatment of serious problems before leaving the United States.

Community Health

The Government of Bahrain provides free public health care to all Bahrainis and foreigners through six hospitals and a network of clinics throughout the island. Most health care provided at the facilities is professional, competent, and modern, although doctors and staff cannot always handle large numbers of people.

Common insects are mosquitoes, cockroaches, flies, ants, and meal mites. Flies are troublesome during the spring, late summer, and early fall. Insecticides are available in local stores. Rats and mice are also found, particularly near uncollected and decaying garbage heaps throughout the city. In this regard, cleanliness and precautions, such as storing food in airtight containers, are advisable. Brownish-green lizards (geckos) are useful, silent friends who populate the upper reaches of house walls. Common in many parts of the world, they bother no one except the squeamish and feed on insects that find their way into houses despite screening and the use of insecticides.

Fleas, sand ticks, and wood ticks are prevalent in Bahrain and are a problem for pets. There is no heartworm in Bahrain. Veterinarians are available and competent, although expensive.

An extensive drainage system is currently under construction in Bahrain but some houses still have septic tanks that can occasionally overflow.

When enjoying beach activities or indulging in water sports, wear either plastic or canvas shoes, and be alert for sharp pieces of shell, buried pieces of metal or glass, and sea urchins, stonefish, and cone shells, which can sting painfully and sometimes dangerously. Sea snakes, jellyfish, stingrays, and sharks are found in Bahrain waters but rarely pose a threat close to shore. Minor ear infections, usually contracted through swimming in polluted water, are fairly common and should receive prompt medical attention to prevent the development of more serious ailments. Polluted areas are well known. Seek advice on where clean, safe swimming areas are. Irritation to ears and eyes may, also, simply be caused by the draft from fans and air-conditioners or by dust and sand carried in strong winds.

Preventive Measures

Health precautions include preventing sunstroke and heatstroke, which are real risks during the summer and fall. Outdoor activities must be carefully planned and exertion kept to a minimum during the daytime in this period.

In the summer, good health is best maintained by taking a lot of liquid, getting plenty of sleep, and taking extra salt on food, or, if preferred, salt tablets, with a physician’s guidance. The high summer humidity can be troublesome to those with asthmatic or bronchial ailments.

Summer colds are often brought on by sudden changes of temperature due to extensive air-conditioning in buildings and cars. Avoid direct drafts from air-conditioners.

Some medications are not available in Bahrain, so bring an initial supply from the U.S. and then they can be refilled through mail order by the RMO.

Employment for Spouses and Other Family Members

The Embassy staff is small and occasionally a need for temporary clerical assistance arises. Priority for these positions is given to Embassy spouses or other eligible family members, whenever possible. Many spouses have also found work on the local market, where skilled help in a variety of fields is in great demand. However, active efforts to encourage "Bahrainization" of the workforce in recent years have limited available opportunities, and this trend is expected to continue. Spouses with banking, legal, accounting, computer, or secretarial experience are likely to find suitable employment in the large international business community.

Manama

Manama is a cosmopolitan city of about 144,000. Central Manama is undergoing extensive urban development, featuring new banks, hotels, offices, and six-lane, divided highways on land reclaimed from the sea during the past 15 years. This growth has resulted in moderately increased traffic congestion and the distinct beginnings of urban sprawl. Yet, the city is livable and many consider it the preferred location in the Gulf. The discomfort of the outdoor summer weather and the real, as well as psychological, isolation of life on a small island community cause frustration for some.

Local and Western institutions and organizations, with long tenure and extensive administrative and financial resources, help in coping with day-to-day problems. Highly paid individuals in the private sector also relieve these frustrations with frequent travel outside Bahrain. Embassy personnel do not enjoy either advantage. Personnel assigned to post are eligible for two R&Rs per 3-year tour. The designated R&R point is London.

The Post and Its Administration

The U.S. Embassy is in Manama, the capital and major city of Bahrain. The Chancery is an attractive, modern, three-story structure, located in the residential suburb of Zinj, approximately 10 minutes from central Manama. The building, designed and built in conformance with Department of State security criteria, was dedicated on July 4, 1990, and was first occupied in December of that year.

The Embassy is organized along traditional lines with Executive, Consular, Political/Economic/Commercial, Political/Military, Public Affairs, and Administrative Sections. In addition to the Department of State, the mission includes the Office of Military Cooperation and VOA.

Embassy business hours are Saturday through Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., though the Consular Section closes to the general public at 1 p.m. The Embassy’s telephone number is 273-300. The after-hours telephone number is 275-126. The embassy unclassified FAX number is 275-418. The country code for Bahrain is 973. There is no city code.

Housing

Temporary Quarters

Every effort is made to immediately assign new personnel to their permanent quarters upon arrival. In rare cases, however, a short stay in a local hotel is necessary.

Permanent Housing

All residential housing in Manama is U.S. Government leased, and is scattered throughout the principal residential areas of Manama or nearby suburbs. The majority of homes are within a 20-25 minute drive of the Embassy. All are fully air-conditioned.

The Ambassador’s residence is a two-story villa located just outside Manama, about 20 minutes from the Embassy. It is set on an acre of land and is enclosed by a high boundary wall. The residence consists of six bedrooms, one "majlis" (living) room, a den, dining room, and two kitchens. It has a two-car garage, an enclosed- swimming pool, a sauna, and an extensive garden, with a gazebo. Separate servants quarters and a guardhouse are located on the premises.

The DCM’s home is a two-story, four-bedroom home located about 20 minutes from the Embassy. The house has ample representational space, a large garden, a swimming pool, a garage, and detached servants quarters.

Although some single employees live in comfortable two- and three-bedroom apartments, most personnel live in single-family homes. Housing in Manama is more spacious, but sometimes less functional and less aesthetically pleasing, than housing in the U.S. A typical single-family home is a one-story masonry structure with a flat roof, enclosed by a 4-5 foot high fence or perimeter wall. Garden and lawn areas are small. Most single-family homes have three bedrooms, and include a sitting room, separate living and dining rooms, kitchen, servants quarters, and a carport. Housing assignments are made by the Interagency Housing Board and are based on the employee’s grade and family size.

Furnishings

Government-provided furnishings include standard bedroom furniture (one queen-size bed and twin-size beds); dining and living room furniture; and major kitchen and laundry appliances, including microwave oven, water dispenser, vacuum cleaner, and ironing board. Draperies; sheer curtains in the living, dining, and bedroom areas; carpets in the living, dining, and bedroom areas; bedspreads, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, portable electric space heaters, and a step ladder are also part of the basic residential furniture and furnishings inventory.

Until the delivery of their unaccompanied baggage, new arrivals are loaned a modest Welcome Kit; which includes basic cooking and eating utensils, a clothes iron, blankets, and bed and bath linens.

In addition to the basic furnishings mentioned above, the Ambassador’s residence is also supplied with a TV and VCR, short-wave radio, sterling and stainless steel flatware, silver-plated coffee and tea service, crested china, crystal, glassware, stoneware family table service, cooking and serving utensils, and small kitchen appliances (toaster, blender, mixer). Blankets and bed, table, and bath linens are also provided. A full inventory is available from post or from the Department.

In addition to the basic residential inventory, the DCM’s home is furnished with a TV and VCR, official china, glassware, silver, and cooking and serving utensils. Blankets and bed, table, and bath linens are also provided. A full inventory is available from post or from the Department.

Utilities and Equipment

Electricity is 220-240v, 50 hertz. The Embassy provides transformers and adapter plugs for all government-owned appliances and three additional transformers to each house for 110v equipment. Voltage fluctuates, so delicate electrical equipment, such as stereos, should have voltage regulators. These are available locally at high prices.

Most tap water is not considered potable, therefore the Embassy delivers bottled drinking water to all homes for drinking and cooking purposes.

Supplies and Services

Supplies

Laundry soaps and bleaches, though fairly expensive, are readily available locally. Bring an iron with household effects (HHE); ironing boards are provided. Sundries are plentiful and varied. Small appliances, linens, utensils, tools, cosmetics, soaps, and perfumes are available but expensive. Specific brand names may not be available but suitable substitutes abound. Color film is expensive and may be processed locally or in the U.S. through FPO. Almost everything is available in Bahrain, but is invariably more expensive, and searching may be necessary to find preferred brands. Kitty litter and dog, cat, and bird food are available locally. Dog collars, leashes, and toys are usually available, but are expensive and selection is limited.

Basic Services

A large variety of personal and professional services are available in Bahrain; from picture framing to motor vehicle rust-proofing, from legal and tax counseling to insect extermination. Costs exceed that of comparable services in the U.S.

Shoe repair shops do reasonably priced and satisfactory work. Dry cleaners are adequate for materials not requiring special treatment. Men’s suits, for example, are cleaned and pressed for $5. For women’s silk clothing, however, reliable dry-cleaning is expensive ($7 for a dress).

Beauty shops are found throughout Manama. Their work is good and at prices comparable to those in the U.S. Barbershops are also common and fairly inexpensive.

Repairs for automobiles, radios, and electrical appliances are usually satisfactory. Long delays sometimes occur due to a prevailing lack of spare parts.

Finished carpentry products are inferior to and more expensive than U.S. products. Residential furniture is expensive.

Domestic Help

Most middle-class Bahraini families and most Westerners in Bahrain employ domestic servants. U.S. Government personnel currently in Bahrain employ servants ranging from the small permanent staff at the Ambassador’s and DCM’s residences to occasional maids/houseboys who work only a few hours a week. Going rates (as of 1999) for domestic servants are as follows:

Cooks/housemaids/

houseboys $160-$350/month

Part-time housemaids/

houseboys $2.65-$3/hour

Part-time gardeners $70-$100/month

Babysitter (American teenagers)

$2.50-$3/hour

Domestic servants are non-Bahrainis and therefore must be sponsored by an employer. Such sponsorship involves providing international transportation to the domestic’s country of origin at the conclusion of a tour, plus providing accommodation. The latter is not a problem since most residences have servant’s quarters; however, the former can be a significant expense. An employer of a part-time worker can avoid sponsorship responsibilities.

Food

Clean, modern, U.S.-style supermarkets are numerous. Excellent prawns and fish, superb dates, good eggs, fresh chickens, and fresh dairy products, including pasteurized milk, are grown or produced on the island. Depending on the season, a limited selection of fresh fruits and vegetables are also available. The latter is supplemented by abundance of imported fresh fruit and vegetables. Beef, mutton, lamb, veal, pork, poultry, cheeses and dairy products, cereals, and canned and dry goods are all imported, mainly from the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, and are readily available in the island’s supermarkets and shops. Prices, however, are often high, and smart shoppers spend time in the cheaper, covered central market in downtown Manama.

Clothing

Fabrics and sewing supplies are plentiful and moderately priced. Tailors are good at copying patterns and models, but most do not create or design clothing. Local stores offer expensive ready-made clothing of varying quality and limited selection from Europe and the U.S. An alternative is catalog shopping using the FPO. If possible, bring an adequate wardrobe to last the tour for all family members.

Bahrain has no real clothing taboos, but as guests of a society that traditionally is very strict among its own members, especially the women, Embassy personnel are expected to dress modestly. Shorts, short dresses, and bare shoulders are inappropriate outside the home. Skirts and dresses for women and long pants for men are recommended for general wear. Purchase shoes in the U.S. or from catalogs. Sneakers for tennis and other sports are available at high prices.

Men. Bring cool, lightweight suits for summer wear and many cotton shirts. Shirt and tie is the required Embassy workday dress. In the winter, medium-weight suits suitable for Washington, D.C., are sufficient.

Formal entertaining is rare in Bahrain. If you have black tie, bring it, but it is not essential except for the Ambassador and DCM. Neither white tie nor morning coat is required. Sweaters and a moderate supply of light winter clothes are necessary. Winter nights can be as chilly as 45°F. Since winter is also the rainy season and some streets are unpaved, boots and galoshes are useful to negotiate the many puddles that linger after heavy rains.

Women. Shoe shopping presents a problem, for women especially. Only the latest European styles are available at local boutiques.

Because of the heat and humidity, natural clothing fibers (especially cotton) are best during summer. Double-knits and synthetic materials are very uncomfortable during the hot season.

Correspond with predecessors regarding specific clothing needs, as entertainment and representational responsibilities differ among staff members.

Children. Children’s shoes and clothing are available but are usually expensive and shoes are of poor quality. Children’s galoshes are hard to find.

Religious Activities

Bahrain allows freedom of worship. Although most Bahrainis are Muslims, several Christian churches serve the foreign community. Both Protestant and Catholic services are held every Friday and Sunday on the navy base (NSA). Protestant Sunday school is available for kindergarten through adult levels at the National Evangelical Church in Manama. Sacred Heart (Roman Catholic), St. Christopher’s (Anglican), and the Church of the Latter-day Saints, as well as Syrian Orthodox churches, have active congregations. Most churches hold services on Friday to correspond to the local Sabbath, but Sunday services are also held. Many churches have nurseries to care for children during services, and services are conducted in a variety of languages. Bahrain’s Jewish community is too small to sustain a synagogue.

Education

The Bahrain School is an international school of about 1000 pupils representing 50 nationalities for students in kindergarten through 12^th grade. The school is operated by the Department of Defense Dependents Schools, Europe (DODDSEUR). In addition to a standard American curriculum, it offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) program that is recognized in over 40 countries for university entrance. American colleges will generally give one year’s advance placement for IB diploma holders. The Secondary School meets the accreditation standards of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NCA). Under DODDS regulations, children of U.S. military personnel are accorded priority in admission, while other students, including children of U.S. civilian agency personnel, are accepted on a space-available basis. The Bahrain International School Association (BISA) is the local governing body, but management authority is held by DODDS.

The school year runs from early September through late June. The school week conforms to the Muslim week – Saturday through Wednesday, with a Thursday - Friday weekend. The school day is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all grades. NSA provides bus transportation.

Group registration is held before the beginning of the new school year. Thereafter, parents may register their children in the school’s administrative office upon arrival in Bahrain. Please notify the Embassy as early as possible, since it can assist with preliminary registration. Children must be accompanied by a parent or sponsor at registration and must present all records from prior schools, passport number, and immunization records. Placement tests are also required upon registration.

Dependents of Department of Defense employees may attend the school on a tuition-free basis, but some small material and activity fees can be expected. An education allowance is provided for the Embassy’s American employees, covering all tuition and associated costs.

The Habara School and the Nadeen School offer a pre-nursery and beginning primary school syllabus to a predominantly British and American enrollment, aged 2-7 years, at a cost of about $500-$600 a term (i.e., $1,500-$1,950 per school year). Half-day summer play school is available for kindergarten and primary school age children. NSA also operates a year-round day care center for children.

Other schools including St. Christopher's (British) and one with a French curriculum are also available.

Special Educational Opportunities

The University of Bahrain offers bachelor’s degrees in business, science, education, engineering, art, and health sciences. The language of instruction is Arabic.

The University of Maryland is a U.S. institution that offers undergraduate courses through the Bahrain School and on a part-time basis for adults wishing to begin or continue work toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Additionally, seminar classes are scheduled at various times. These classes are one semester hour of credit that requires 16 hours of classroom instruction.

The Bahrain Government and some private schools offer Arabic-language, secretarial, business management, and computer classes. Several schools offer hands-on computer courses.

The Bahrain Arts Society offers classes in drawing, painting, and poetry. The Music Institute provides instruction in a variety of musical instruments to adults and children at reasonable cost. As funds permit, the Embassy also maintains an Arabic-language program. Classes are also available through the Bahrain Ministry of Education or various schools and individuals. For the fitness-minded, ballet, ice skating, karate, aerobics, and yoga are available. Most of the five-star hotels also have thriving health clubs for men and women.

Recreation and Social Life

Summer is difficult for children and parents because the intense heat and humidity preclude outdoor activities. Bring games, handicrafts, hobby supplies, and beach toys. An outdoor grill and equipment for light camping are useful in winter.

Sports

Power boating and sailing are popular with many Westerners in Bahrain. There are four sailing clubs on the island. Used pleasure boats and sailboats are sold at high prices when available. Periodically, groups rent Arab dhows for a day of water sightseeing, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Only saltwater fishing is done; bring your own gear, as it is expensive here. Scuba diving is popular, and the sea floor around Bahrain is interesting in parts, but the water is often murky. Rental costs are prohibitive. U.S.–certified scuba diving classes are available, and two clubs offer courses at reasonable tuition.

NSA has two swimming pools open to the Embassy’s American personnel. The BAPCO (Bahrain Petroleum Company) Club at Awali permits some foreigners in the business and diplomatic communities to hold memberships (about $300 yearly) to use its beach, bowling, dining, and swimming facilities. All the major hotels in Bahrain (Meridien, Hilton, Sheraton, and Holiday Inn) offer memberships in their swimming pool, health club, and tennis facilities, but the cost is high. Several private clubs (Al-Bandar and the Marina) offer membership to foreigners and have attractive, well-located facilities. Embassy personnel may also participate in an active tennis league, and the tennis court at NSA is open on a first-come, first-served basis to government employees. There is a small indoor ice-skating rink open to the public. Horseback riding and riding lessons are available.

Attending the weekly horse races at the racetrack about 5 miles south of Manama, is a pleasant way to spend a winter afternoon. Races are run using an excellent stock of Arabian horses and are free to all who wish to attend. Betting and alcoholic beverages are prohibited at the racing grounds.

A new sporting era has dawned in Bahrain. The Riffa Golf Club has created an 18-hole course on more than 150 acres. What was once a desert is now a green oasis of sporting excellence.

Touring and Outdoor Activities

Local travel agents offer a range of tours, usually 3-7 days, to places in the Middle East, India, the Far East, or Europe. These package trips are popular among Westerners. In addition, excellent half-day tours in Bahrain are available through the NSA or private tour companies. Camping is possible in the central part of the island during the winter and spring. Embassy personnel or private groups frequently arrange dhow trips into the Gulf during the non-winter months.

Many interesting archeological and historical sites are in Bahrain. This is the largest ancient necropolis in the world with over 100,000 grave mounds, ancient forts, temples, and city sites going back to the Dilmun era, circa 2500 BC. The Bahrain National Museum has an excellent display of both ancient Bahrain and the more recent Arab traditions. Two restored houses can be toured and traditional craftsmen still work in some villages. At Jasra is a handicraft center where visitors can watch traditional Arab artisans plying their craft. Finished pieces can be purchased at the gift shop.

Entertainment

Several air-conditioned movie theaters, including a small theater at the NSA, show recent films in English, French, Italian, Arabic, and Hindi at modest admission prices. Several video rental outlets carry the latest U.S. and European films and most Westerners own video equipment. The NSA has a small selection of video equipment for rent for short periods to Navy and Embassy personnel.

Many good but expensive restaurants feature international cuisine and music groups. The major hotels schedule well-known entertainers for brief engagements in the fall, spring, and winter. Some medium-priced restaurants specialize in tasty Chinese, Thai, Turkish, Arabic, and Indian foods. American fast food is available at high prices from Kentucky Fried Chicken, Hardee’s, Burger King, Baskin-Robbins, Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, Chili’s, Pizza Hut, Dominoes Pizza, Fuddrucker’s, Hole-in-One Donuts, and Subway for deli-style sandwiches. Much entertaining is done at home.

Social Activities

Bahrain has a well-developed tradition of club life directed mainly at the sporting community. The BAPCO Club, Dilmun Club, Yacht Club, and British Club have extensive recreational facilities. High fees at the Marina Club make membership unattractive; however, pier and mooring facilities are available at various other locations on the island.

The American Women’s Association is a focal point for American community activities, and the American Association arranges monthly luncheon meetings, an annual picnic, and other social events.

Bahrain abounds with attractive special interest clubs: the Historical and Archeological Society, Natural History Society, drama groups, the Garden Club, bridge groups, tennis league, and cross country and motor groups, plus some possibilities for Americans to enjoy rugby, soccer, and cricket.

Official Functions

Embassies in Bahrain normally celebrate their principal national holiday with a reception. Men usually wear business suits and women wear cocktail dresses. Formal attire is rarely required. Dinner gatherings are frequently buffet-style and informal. Business and calling cards are used extensively and are available locally.

Notes for Travelers

Getting to Post

Before arriving in Bahrain, obtain an entry visa, which is currently available from the Permanent Mission of the State of Bahrain, Consulate Section 605 – 3^rd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, tel.: (212) 751-8805; or from the Bahrain Embassy, 3502 International Drive, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, tel.: (202) 342-0741. If this is not possible, a 3-7 day entry visa may be obtained on arrival at the airport. The extension of these short-term visas may be arranged by the Embassy before obtaining a full-resident visa.

Sponsors meet and assist new personnel upon arrival. Notify the Embassy of arrival information, including date, time, and flight numbers.

Make sure flight reservations are fully confirmed. If temporary housing is required, hotel reservations will be made by the Embassy. As soon as possible, mail documentation on personal effects shipments to allow the Embassy time to clear them through customs before arrival. Packing lists are needed for customs clearance of imported personal effects.

Customs, Duties, and Passage

Passage

Those with diplomatic and official passports have no difficulty clearing personal accompanied luggage through customs upon initial arrival or upon return from leave. Diplomatic-list personnel are accorded duty-free entry for all parcel post and freight shipments throughout their tours.

The following items are strictly prohibited: firearms and ammunition or other weaponry, including decorative knives; cultured, bleached, or tinted pearls and undrilled pearls produced outside the Arabian Gulf; pornography or seditious literature; and habit-forming or hallucinatory drugs. Videocassettes will be inspected and viewed on arrival and should not be shipped in hand or checked baggage.

Travelers should note that the local definition of pornography is considerably stricter than in the Western world. Magazines such as Playboy are likely to be confiscated at the airport. Adults may import two bottles of alcohol, and the duty-free shop at Bahrain’s International Airport is open to arriving, as well as departing, passengers.

Pets

The Bahrain Minister of Commerce and Agriculture issued a Ministerial decree in 1984 that banned the importation of dogs, cats, and monkeys into Bahrain from countries where rabies is found. Exceptions to this rule, however, are allowed and the Embassy has had no serious problems importing pets for personnel.

Bahrain is rabies free and certain rules have to be met when importing a pet. Within one month of your departure date, obtain a veterinary health certificate, which identifies the pet, states the origin and name of exporter; verifies that the animals/birds were examined prior to shipment, and confirms that the animal is free from all contagious diseases (as well as ecto-parasites) and is fit for travel. The following vaccination certificates must accompany the animal when it arrives in Bahrain:

Cats Dogs

Rabies Rabies

Feline Enteritis Distemper

PARVOV

Please inform post prior to making any shipping arrangements if you plan to import a pet from the U.S. or from any other country. Fax copies of documents listed above and the details of your pet’s arrival to the GSO (973-242464). Carry all original documents with you. Prepare to quarantine your pet for up to 30 days in your home.

If an animal is not permitted entry into Bahrain, it is the responsibility of the owner to pay for its return shipment.

Firearms and Ammunition

Firearms and ammunition are not to be imported into Bahrain under any circumstances.

Currency, Banking, and Weights and Measures

Citibank is the only American bank currently established in Bahrain that provides full commercial banking services (individual Bahraini dinar and U.S. dollar checking and savings accounts, fund transfers). Citibank and several other banks, as well as commercial money changers, accept U.S. Treasury dollar checks or travelers checks and will disburse either U.S. dollars or Bahrain dinars at the established rate, often with a surcharge. However, banks usually do not cash personal checks. Personal checks can be cashed at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Dinar Exchange office.

The Embassy provides accommodation exchange.

The exchange rate is: US$1.00 = Bahrain Dinar (BD) .377 (or 377 fils); BD1=US$2.65. The Dinar is pegged to the US$; it will not fluctuate.

Bahrain officially adopted the metric system of weights and measures in December 1977.

Taxes, Exchange, and Sale of Property

Bahrain does not have personal or sales tax.

An active resale market in Bahrain is open to those seeking to sell personal property, including automobiles.

Bahrain has a free exchange of currency. Moneychangers will quickly convert dollars or travelers checks to virtually any currency desired. Some people may consider opening a dinar checking account in a local bank for convenience. Several U.S. banks in Bahrain will handle dollar accounts, but service charges are high.

Recommended Reading

These titles are provided as a general indication of the material published on this country. The Department of State does not endorse unofficial publications.

Abercrombis, T.J. and S. Raymer. "Bahrain: Midas Touch on the Persian Gulf." National Geographic, September 1987

Belgrave, James. Welcome to Bahrain. Augustan Press: Manama, 1975

Bibby, T.G. Looking for Dilmun. Penguin Books: New York, 1970

Bullock, J. The Gulf: A Portrait of Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and U.A.E. Century Publishing: London, 1984

Cottrell, Alvin J., ed. The Persian Gulf States: A General Survey. The Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, 1980

Clark, Angela. Bahrain – Oil and Development 1929-1989. Immel Publishing, Ely House: London, 1986

Clark, Angela. Bahrain – A Heritage Explored. Meed Books: London, 1986 (Reprinted, Gulf Public Relations Company: Bahrain, 1991)

Jenner, M. Bahrain: Heritage in Transition. Longman: London, 1984

Khuri, Fuad I. Tribe and State in Bahrain. University Press of Chicago: Chicago, 1980

Lawson, Fred. Bahrain: Modernization of Autocracy. Westview Press, Inc.: Boulder, Colorado, 1989

Nakhleh, Emile A. Bahrain: Political Development in a Modernized Society. Lexington Books: Lexington, 1976

Owen, R. The Golden Bubble: Arabian Gulf Documentary. Collins: London, 1986

Parsons, A. They Saw the Lion: Britain’s Legacy to the Arabs: A Personal Memoir. Jonathan Cape: London, 1986

Runaihi, M.G. Bahrain, Social and Political Change Since the First World War. Bowker Press: London and New York, 1976

For More Information

The Overseas Briefing Center has slides and videotapes of Bahrain available.

Local Holidays

The Embassy observes the holidays listed below. Local religious holidays are lunar and the dates provided are approximate. These lunar holidays progress 11-13 days each year.

January 1 New Year’s Day

January – Third Saturday

Martin Luther King’s Birthday

February – Third Saturday

Washington’s Birthday

Varies by Lunar Calendar Eid al Fitr

May – Last Saturday Memorial Day

Varies Eid al Adha

Varies Islamic New Year

Varies Ashura

July 4 Independence Day

Varies Prophet’s Birthday

September – First Saturday Labor Day

October 12 Columbus Day

November 11 Veteran’s Day

November – Fourth Thursday

Thanksgiving Day

December 16 National Day

December 25 Christmas Day

The Administrative Section will confirm/amend these holiday dates by memo, as they approach.