Everything You Need to Know About Bahrain - Term Paper Example

Modern History of Bahrain Profile Islands with an intriguing history and a celebratory independence since 1971 Bahrain is located in the Persian Gulf just off the coast of Saudi Arabia. Geologically referred to as an archipelago of 36 islands Bahrain means ‘two seas’ and is 274 square miles. For the most part, Bahrain’s geologic formation is comprised of mostly level expanses of rock and sand. Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting facts about it has to be its many aliases throughout history-Dilmun, Tylos and Mishmahig just to name a few and has been the subject to a myriad of ruling powers prior to its independence such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, Greeks and Persians. Bahrain’s Economy With a 19.36 billion dollar GDP, and a real time GDP growth rate of 2.9%, Bahrain’s major natural resources include; oil, aluminum, textiles, natural gas, fish and pearls. Financial services are responsible for nearly 25% of the GDP, with government services holding firm with 14.8%. Oil and gas and manufacturing are lagging behind them with 13.1% and 12.4% respectively. Acknowledged as the first Gulf state to discover oil in 1931, their reserves are expected to last over a decade. Revenues from the state’s oil and natural gas capabilities account for an estimated 10% of the GDP. In addition, revenues from oil have been used to fund health and educational projects and accounts for an estimated 60% of the country’s exports. Bahrain is no stranger to economical successes since it was the important center linking trade routes between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley as early as 5,000 years ago. As reported by the US Department of State, in keeping with its financial sector which is their largest GDP contributor, Bahrain holds a reputable regional and international financial business center that operates both on and offshore. Undoubtedly, Bahrain is a leader in its field with over 370 banking units offshore. In addition, regulations are being implemented to ascertain the title leading financial center in the Arab world. With reference to literature consulted it can be concluded that Bahrain has experienced a blossoming economy driven by its abundance of natural resources. Politics in Bahrain As mentioned before, Bahrain has been the subject to multiple ruling powers prior to their independence from the United Kingdom and a Constitutional Hereditary monarchy type of government. Bahrain was first ruled by Persia in the 4th century A.D, after which the Arabs took control until 1541, when the Portuguese invaded them. Then Persia regained control of these islands in 1602. By 1783 Shaikh Isa bin Hamad Al Khalifa took over and the al-Khalifas remained the ruling family until today. By 1820 Bahrain became a British protectorate. With reference to the US Department of State, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa acceded to the throne in March 1999, after the death of his father Shaikh Isa bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain's ruler since 1961-10 years prior to their independence. Shaikh Hamad channeled a democratic reform to transform Bahrain from a hereditary emirate to a constitutional monarchy shortly after he took the throne. His actions were publicly endorsed by his people. Bahrain was pronounced a constitutional monarchy on February 14, 2002. Now operating under a constitutional monarchy, it has an executive appointed by the King of Bahrain and a bicameral legislature with the Chamber of Deputies elected by universal suffrage, and the Shura Council which is also appointed directly by the King. Like many other countries, Bahrain has had their fair share of political unrest, which started as far back as 1994 and still continues today. Particularly this year, it can be said that Bahraini protestors were influenced by events in Egypt and Tunisia. Euronews.net reported that reasons for this political unrest are; a new constitution, the release of all political prisoners, an enquiry into torture allegations, freedom of speech and an independent justice system. Social Life 1.1 Education The Bahraini Government introduced a free public education system to the Gulf region in 1919. Their main aim is to provide free educational opportunities for all children. Their literacy rate is marked at 91% while their youth unemployment rate is marked at 19.1%. Among them, Arabian women have the highest literacy rate in the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain’s primary language is Arabic but English is widely practiced. Encyclopedia of the Nations reported that primary level of education lasts for six years, intermediate for three years, and secondary—general, industrial, or commercial—for three years. The primary and secondary curriculum includes a nine-year course in Religious Study. In addition it was estimated that about 100% of primary-school-age children attend school, while 85% attend secondary school. Bahrain's national university is the University of Bahrain, established in 1986 after a merger between the University College and Gulf Polytechnic. Composed of, primarily five colleges and an English language center: colleges of arts, sciences, engineering, education, and business administration. On the other hand the Arabian Gulf University (founded in 1980) has faculties in science, engineering and medicine, and is in fact a joint venture project among the six Gulf Cooperation Council members and Iraq. With reference to the said source each nation is allocated 10% of the seats (total 70%) and the remaining 30% are given to other countries. Furthermore important is the Bahrain Training Institute, which currently has over 50% female students. 1.2 Healthcare Healthcare is regarded as the paramount to the kingdom’s evolution into a service oriented-economy in Bahrain. To this day, they have managed to excel and currently have the best highly skilled practitioners and comprehensive facilities around. Their modern technology-advanced healthcare system is staffed and supported a large number of Bahraini doctors, of whom many have studied abroad and returned home to practice. Currently Bahrain has three full service private hospitals, four government hospitals, 19 government health centers, five government maternity hospitals and numerous private specialty clinics. One can expect that the health care services offered here are regarded as the best. These hospitals are equipped with the latest technology all in an effort to improve patient satisfaction. Conclusion On completion of research conducted, it is revealed that Bahrain has evolved since the 1970s. It’s had major economical successes which really had started before the 1970s. However, Bahrain is currently facing some political unrest which makes it safe to assume that the country is overcome with some amount of prejudice among the people. There are two major groups/denominations in Bahrain-the Shiite which accounts for 70% and the Sunni Monarchy. The Shiite is complaining of being exempted from top positions in the military and government and that the Sunnis are given preference in hiring. As a result there have been several major protests around the square. Works Cited Page ‘Background Note-Bahrain’, The US Department of State, (Jan 20, 2011), www.state.gov, retrieved from: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/26414.htm ‘Bahrain’, informationplease.com, (2008) Pearson Education Inc, retrieved from: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0856817.html ‘Bahrain’s causes of unrest’, (Feb 16, 2011), Euronews.net, retrieved from: http://www.euronews.net/2011/02/16/bahrain-causes-of-unrest/ ‘Education in Bahrain’, Encyclopedia of the Nations, (2011), nationalencyclopedia.com, retrieved from: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Bahrain-EDUCATION.html ‘Healthcare in Bahrain’, (2011), bahraingateway.org, retrieved from: http://www.bahraingateway.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=section.home&id=25 Read More