_#_Religion: Muslim (Shia 70%, Sunni 30%)

_#_Language: Arabic (official); English also widely spoken; Farsi, Urdu

_#_Literacy: 77% (male 82%, female 69%) age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 140,000; 42% of labor force is Bahraini; industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 3% (1982)

_#_Organized labor: General Committee for Bahrain Workers exists in only eight major designated companies

_*Government #_Long-form name: State of Bahrain

_#_Type: traditional monarchy

_#_Capital: Manama

_#_Administrative divisions: 12 municipalities (baladiyat, singular—baladiyah); 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, Mintaqat Juzur Hawar, Sitrah

_#_Independence: 15 August 1971 (from UK)