Bahrain Airport

Bahrain is working to develop other service industries such as information technology, healthcare and education. The government has used its oil revenues to build an advanced infrastructure in transportation and telecommunications. The transport and communications sector grew by almost 9% in 2002 and is likely to expand as the government proceeds with liberalization of the state-owned telecommunications industry. The state monopoly – Batelco – was broken in April 2003. Bahrain's international airport is one of busiest in the Gulf, serving an average of 580 flights a week. A new air traffic control tower, part of a program to upgrade and modernize the airport, is due for completion in June 2004. A modern, busy port offers direct and frequent cargo shipping connections to the U.S., Europe, and the Far East. ... [Read More]

Background Notes: Bahrain

Background Notes: BahrainPA/PCSource: Office of Public Communication, Bureau of Public AffairsDate: Nov 28, 199111/28/91Category: Country DataRegion: MidEast/North AfricaCountry: BahrainSubject: Military Affairs, Cultural Exchange, Travel, History, International Organizations, Trade/Economics[TEXT]Official Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size ofWashington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands,only 5 of them inhabited. Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 122,000--1985 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq. ... [Read More]

Bahrain

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  Passports and visas are required.  For U.S. citizens, two-week visas may be obtained for a fee upon arrival at the airport.  U.S. diplomatic passport holders receive a free two-week visa.  Prior to travel, visitors may obtain five-year multiple entry visas valid for stays as long as one month from Bahraini embassies overseas.  Visitors who fail to depart Bahrain at the end of their authorized stay are heavily fined.  The exact amount of the fine is determined by a formula related to the visa type, duration, and location of issuance.  An exit tax is charged all travelers upon departure.  Diplomatic passport holders do not pay the exit tax.  Residents of Bahrain who intend to return must obtain a re-entry permit before departing.  For further ... [Read More]

Background Notes Archive - Near East and North Africa

U.S. Department of StateBackground Notes: Bahrain, October 1996Bureau of Public AffairsOfficial Name: State of BahrainPROFILEGeographyArea: 693 sq. km. (268 sq. mi.); about four times the size of Washington, DC. Bahrain is an archipelago consisting of 33 islands, only six of them inhabited.Cities: Capital--Manama (pop. 145,000--1993 est.). Other city--Al Muharraq (81,000--1993 est.).Terrain: Low interior plateau and hill on main island.Climate: Hot and humid from May-September, temperate from October-April.PeopleNationality: Noun and adjective--Bahraini(s).Population (1996 est.): 586,000; 66% indigenous.Ethnic groups: Bahraini 63%, Asian 19%, other Arab 10%, Iranian 8%.Religions: Shi'a and Sunni Muslim.Languages: Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu.Education: Attendance--73%. Literacy (1990 est.)--77% (male 82%, female 69%).Work force (1987 est.): 197,000 (about 44% indigenous, 56% expatriate). Industry and commerce--74%. Services--19%. Agriculture--4%. Government--3% ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

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. PetsLast Updated:  2/4/2004 2:34 AM  ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Brazil is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women and girls are trafficked internally for sexual exploitation and to neighboring countries in South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, and the Middle East. The ILO estimated in 2002 that 450,000 children, mostly girls, are employed as domestic servants and vulnerable to abuse. Approximately 70,000 Brazilians, mostly women, are engaged in prostitution in foreign countries and many are trafficking victims; their major destinations are countries in Europe, particularly Spain, and South America and Japan. Sex tourists target young Brazilians, particularly in the resort areas and cities of Brazil’s northeast. Trafficking for forced agricultural labor remains a major problem, with most of the more than 25,000 victims recruited from small towns in Brazil’s northeast ... [Read More]

Bahrain

RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTSSection 1 Respect for the Integrity of the Person, Including Freedom From: a. Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life There were no reports of arbitrary or unlawful deprivation of life committed by the Government or its agents. On April 27, the High Civil Court ordered the Ministry of Interior to pay BD 40,000 ($106,100) to the family of the 21-year old Bahraini man killed in a demonstration in April 2002. b. Disappearance There were no reports of politically motivated disappearances. c. Torture and Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment The Constitution prohibits torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. During protests on May 21, two civilians were injured by rubber bullets fired by the police. On October 28, rubber bullets or tear gas canisters fired by the police injured two protest ... [Read More]

Foreign Entry Requirements

AUSTRALIA - *Passport, Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) or non-electronic label visa, proof of onward or return ticket, and sufficient funds are required. An ETA or non-electronic label visa is required for tourist or business stays of up to 3 months. An ETA is an electronically stored authority to travel to Australia and can be obtained online at www.ETA.immi.gov.au or through participating travel agencies or airlines. Minors not accompanied by a parent or traveling with only one parent need notarized written parental consent from the absent parent(s). AIDS test required for permanent resident visa for applicants age 15 and older; tests taken in the U.S. are acceptable. More information about entry requirements to Australia (including for longer stays) is available on the Embassy of Aus ... [Read More]

January - April

1111--04/15/02   Remarks upon arrival in Damascus, Syria; Secretary Colin L. Powell; Damascus International Airport; Damascus, Syria ... [Read More]

History of the Consulate - Consulate General of the US - Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

In 1944, Foreign Service Officer Parker T. Hart was dispatched from the American Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, where he was stationed, to the eastern shores of Saudi Arabia to set up a consulate to take care of American interests in the oil town of Dhahran and the small American community there. He did so on September 2 of that year and worked from an office within Aramco campus and later moved to an office where the old airport is. ... [Read More]