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BAHRAIN TRAVEL PLANNER & ADVISORY
INTRODUCTION:
Bahrain's small size and central location among Persian Gulf countries require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Possessing minimal oil reserves, Bahrain has turned to petroleum processing and refining, and has transformed itself into an international banking center. The new amir is pushing economic and political reforms, and has worked to improve relations with the Shi'a community. In 2001, the International Court of Justice awarded the Hawar Islands, long disputed with Qatar, to Bahrain.
ECONOMY
In Bahrain, petroleum production and refining account for about 60% of export receipts, 60% of government revenues, and 30% of GDP. With its highly developed communication and transport facilities, Bahrain is home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. Bahrain is dependent on Saudi Arabia for oil revenue granted as aid. A large share of exports consists of petroleum products made from imported crude. Construction proceeds on several major industrial projects. Unemployment, especially among the young, and the depletion of both oil and underground water resources are major long-term economic problems.
MONEY & CURRENCY
The Bahraini Dinar is linked with the US dollar at US$ 1= BD 0.375 and is divided into 1000 fils. Notes are available in the following denominations: 500 fils (brown), one dinar (red), five dinars (blue), ten dinars (green), and twenty dinars (peach). Coins come in units of 10,25, 50, and 100 fils. Money can be
changed easily at any commercial bank or at one of the money changers found in the Soukh. There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency.
POINT OF INTEREST
The Soukh King Fahad Causeway
The Gold Soukh Jasra House
The Cloth Soukh Salman bin Ahmed Al fateh Fort
Siyadi House Horse-Riding
Al-Khamis Mosque
Horse Racing
Bahrain Fort Riffa Gulf Club
Barbar Temple Diving
Museum of Pearl Diving Dress
Bait Al Qur'an Arabic
Coffee & Hospitality
Arad Fort Oil Museum
Shaikh Isa's House Oil Well No.1
Tree of Life