Economies Of The Middle East. Essay Example for Free

Economies Of The Middle East. Essay tally to the CIA world Fact record book Bahrain is located in the Middle East on the eastern side of Saudi Arabia. Bahrains climate is arid though characterized by hot and humid summers while the winters are pleasant. (CIA,2008). According to the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, Bahrain is an archipelago which is comprised of 33 islands and is sandwiched between the east coast of Saudi Arabia and the Qatar peninsula. Bahrain has an advant fester in as far as tourism is concerned given her richness in geographical features wish well the sandy beaches as well as the coral reefs. It also has various museums, archaeologic sites and traditional markets which are all a plus to her competitiveness. Bahrain is also well known for her liberalistic tendencies in the Middle East region. (Council for International Exchange of Scholars). macrocosm an Arab country, Islam is the most(prenominal) practiced religion although other religions which form less than 25% of the total population are allowed to take place. They include Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism as well as Judaism. In much(prenominal) a set up, where 85% of the total population is Muslim it is only natural that Arabic is the official language.However, English is apply in the learning institutions as well as when conducting business. This paper will give an in depth analysis of Bahrain. The US department of State, Bureau of Near easterly Affairs pointed out that in 2007 the population of Bahrain was 708,535 out of which a tune of 32% comprised of non nationals. Statistics of the same year also indicated that annual population growth aim was at 1. 39%. In accessing the composition of the Bahrain population by ethnic background it was ceremonious that Bahrainis recorded the largest proportion at 63%, Asians were next with 19% while the Arabs and Iranians were 10% and 8% respectively.The US department of State estimated that Islam is the religion observe d by well-nigh 98% of the total population. It also estimated that other languages used in addition to English and Arabic included Farsi and Urdu. A unique characteristic of the education system in Bahrain is the detail that although it is not compulsory, it is offered for free at all levels. Estimates taken in the period 1991 to 2001 indicated that there was a high station of school attendance at 84%. In the year 2003 it was established that the overall adult literacy levels for those aged 15 old age and above stood at 89.1% while the treasure differed across the genders. (Bureau of habitual Affairs, 2007). Males had a higher rate at 91. 9% while females registered a set out rate at 85%. Bahrain finances her citizens educational needs from incomes attained from her generous enthronization in oil reserves. The importance of the year 1920 in as far as the education of Bahrain cannot be underscored as it was at this time that the first cosmos school which served both(prenomin al) sexes was introduced. There are 2 universities or high learning institutions where people are able to improve their credibility levels in the trading market.To cater for the health needs of her population there is a health science college which offers specified skills in the various medical fields like nursing, pharmacy. According to the 2007 statistics the infant mortality rate rate was at 16. 18 deaths/1000 live births while the life expectancy for males was 5 years lower than that of the females which was 77 years. Statistics from 2006 estimated that well-nigh 352,000 people formed the Bahrain labor or work force out of which a tune of 44% was foreigners.The US department of State also estimates that Bahrain is among the exceedingly dense populated states and most of her population settled in the capital city Manama. A considerable percentage of Bahrains workforce is comprised of foreigners due to the foreigner friendly policies by the government. Although the naturaliza tion process evokes contrasting views among the Bahrainis it has seen approximately 10% of the total populations attain Bahraini nationality.Critics argue that the procedures or alternatively criteria applied could jeopardize the countrys security curiously when foreigners previously wor world power with sensitive departments like security are naturalized. There are 2 types of Muslims in the Bahrain state. About 2/3 of the people from the indigenous group are shia Muslims while prominent people in the society like the ruling family, numerous members of the government and the military as well as leaders in the state form the Sunni Muslim. (Bureau of Public Affairs, 2007).According to the CIA world fact book, the birth rate using 2008 estimates was 17. 26/1000 population while the death rate at the same year was at 4. 29deaths/1000 population. The rate of net migration was estimated to be 0. 4 migrants/1000 population. CIA also estimated that the sex ratios for the total population stood at 1. 25 males/females in 2008. 2008 estimates also had it that the total infant mortality rate was at 15. 64 deaths/1000 live births while that of females was at 12. 93 deaths/1000 live births.In 2006, the school life expectancy of both primary levels to tertiary education was 15 years though it varied across the genders with males recording a lower expectancy at 14 years while females lagged behind at 16 years. 2001 statistics indicated that approximately 86. 5% of the total population could read and write with males recording a higher rate at 88. 6% and females at 83. 6%. In 1991 the government spent approximately 3. 9% of the GDP to finance the education sector. (CIA,2008). The government in Bahrain is a perfect monarchy with 5 administrative divisions namely Asamah, Janilyah, Muharraq, shamliyah and wasat.She attained her independence on the 15th of August 1971from the UK. In 2002, on the 14th of February she adopted a constitution that was to be followed. The laws consi st of the English law just blended with the Islam laws. The universal suffrage is at 20 years meaning any one above that age has the right to vote. There are three branches of government, the executive, legislative as well as the judiciary. The executive is comprised of the King Hamad bin Isa al- Khalifa who took over in March 1999. the big businessman is the chief of the Bahrain state.The Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman al Khalifa is the head of government and he has held this position since 1971. The monarchy has the responsibility of appointing the cabinet and the prime minister too but the monarchy is hereditary. (CIA,2008). King Hamad Isa al- Khalifa succeeded his father who died in 1999 afterward being in power for approximately 38 years. King Hamad can be commended for various reforms in Bahrain especially his zest to introduce democracy by changing the current system that was purely a hereditary emirate to a constitutional monarchy. (CIA,2008).His efforts precipitated t o a referendum in 2001 for the matter Action Charter which approximately 94. 8% of the Bahrain voters endorsed. Another significant act by King Hamad was setting free of most political detainees and prisoner most of whom had been exiled, detained or imprisoned from as early as in the 1970s for posing security threats to Bahrain. Kind Hamad did away with the state security law and greet which made it possible to detain people for up to 3 years without trial. The constitutional reforms Hamad introduced saw to it that a bicameral parliament which had a representative from the lower house was operational.Another aspect different from what was initially the trend was the creation of an independent body which was to act as watchdog over corruption allegations such as the embezzlement of public funds. This was a way of increasing accountability and transparency in the region. (Bureau of Public Affairs, 2007). Hamads efforts were however not without challenges as for interpreter there we re protests against the provisions he enacted on the constitution from members of the Shia community. The 2002 election made a mark in the political history of Bahrain as it was at this time when the first woman was elected in parliament.The legislature branch comprises of the 40 member consultative council and the 40 member chamber of deputies. The election of the twain councils is different in the sense that the former is elected by the kind while the latter is determined through a direct election. Elections are held after 4 years with the last one in 2006. The judicial system of Bahrain is comprised of a combination of courts adhering to the English laws as well as the Islamic laws or religious and tribal laws. Hamad also made significant reforms in the judiciary when he set a separate branch to over see it.The kings son or crown prince is the head of the commander in chief of the states defense force and the kings successor. (Bureau of Public Affairs, 2007). Democracy in Bahrai n, however is limited to the fact that political parties are discouraged and this had been the case for many decades but with the rise of Hamad to power political societies were allowed to master (CIA) According to the CIA world fact book Bahrain attracts foreign direct investment a factor that has made various multinational companies settle there and shake out business. This is to the countrys advantage economically.Similar to other gulf countries the role of petroleum in stirring economic growth and development cannot be underscored. It is estimated that petroleum products attribute to over 60% of her total exports which contribute to a tune of 70% of the total government revenues. The petroleum industries directly contribute to approximately 11% of the countrys GDP. Bahrain is also rich in aluminum which is the second largest export. (CIA, 2008). The US department of state noted that other natural resources in Bahrain included textiles, natural gas, fish and pearls. (Bureau of Public Affairs, 2007).