The Kingdom of Bahrain is an island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is not part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a federal, elective monarchy composed of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital. In contrast, Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral National Assembly, and is headed by the king, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Country | Kingdom of Bahrain |
Population | 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023 |
Area | 760 square kilometres (290 sq mi) |
Capital | Manama |
Official Language | Arabic |
Religion | Islam |
Government | Semi-constitutional monarchy |
GDP | N/A |
Main Exports | Petroleum and petroleum products, aluminium, textiles |
Main Imports | Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food |
Main Trading Partners | UAE, Saudi Arabia, USA, Oman, China, Qatar, Japan |
What You'll Learn
- Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, while the UAE is a federal monarchy composed of seven emirates
- Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, while the UAE is a constitutional monarchy
- Bahrain has a bicameral legislature, while the UAE has a unicameral Federal Supreme Council
- Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is also a founding member
- Bahrain has a population of 1.5 million, while the UAE has a population of over 10 million
Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, while the UAE is a federal monarchy composed of seven emirates
Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and the northeastern coast of Saudi Arabia. It is officially known as the Kingdom of Bahrain and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, with Bahrain Island making up around 83% of the country's landmass. The country is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family and has a population of around 1.5 million people, with over half of the population residing in the capital, Manama. Bahrain's economy has diversified beyond oil and gas, with a focus on banking, finance, and tourism.
On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federal monarchy composed of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital. It is located in West Asia, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and shares land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. The UAE has a population of over 10 million, with Dubai being the most populous city. The UAE has the most diversified economy among the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with a focus on tourism and business.
In summary, while Bahrain and the UAE are both located in the Persian Gulf region and share cultural similarities, they are distinct countries with their own unique characteristics. Bahrain is an island country with a smaller population, while the UAE is a federal monarchy composed of seven emirates with a larger population.
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Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, while the UAE is a constitutional monarchy
Bahrain and the UAE are both monarchies, but they differ in the degree to which their monarchs hold power. Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, while the UAE is a constitutional monarchy.
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision-maker. In other words, they are bound to exercise their powers within the limits prescribed by an established legal framework.
Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, which means that while it has some features of a constitutional monarchy, the monarch retains substantial powers. Bahrain's monarch, Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has wide-ranging executive powers, including the ability to appoint the prime minister and ministers, command the army, and chair the Higher Judicial Council. The country's National Assembly consists of two chambers: the Shura Council, with 40 appointed members, and the Council of Representatives, with 40 elected members. The Shura Council effectively holds veto power over the Council of Representatives, as draft legislation must be approved by both chambers to become law.
The UAE, on the other hand, is a constitutional monarchy, with the president serving as the head of state and the prime minister as the head of government. The UAE is a federation of seven constituent monarchies: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. The ruler of Abu Dhabi is typically the president of the UAE, while the ruler of Dubai is the prime minister. The UAE's Federal Supreme Council, composed of the rulers of the seven emirates, is the highest constitutional body and is responsible for establishing general policies and sanctioning federal legislation.
While the UAE's constitution provides for a federal presidential elected monarchy, it has been described as an authoritarian state and a tribal autocracy, with no democratically elected institutions and limited freedom of speech. The UAE's Federal National Council, the legislative body, has only advisory powers, and political parties are banned.
In summary, while both Bahrain and the UAE are monarchies, Bahrain's monarch holds more power and influence over governance compared to the UAE's constitutional monarchy, where power is more distributed among the various emirates and federal institutions.
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Bahrain has a bicameral legislature, while the UAE has a unicameral Federal Supreme Council
The Kingdom of Bahrain is not part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, situated east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar. The UAE, on the other hand, is an amalgamation of seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, located along the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
While Bahrain and the UAE are distinct countries, they do share some similarities in their systems of government. Both nations are constitutional hereditary monarchies, with a bicameral or unicameral legislature being one of the key differences between them.
Bahrain has a bicameral legislature, which means it has two separate chambers or houses. The lower house, known as the Council of Representatives, is popularly elected by Bahraini voters. The upper house, called the Shura Council or the Consultative Council, is appointed by the king and holds equal power to the lower house. This model was adopted in 2002, and it allows the government to limit the possibilities of popular rule and entrench greater authoritarianism.
In contrast, the UAE has a unicameral legislature called the Federal Supreme Council, which is the highest constitutional authority in the country. It is composed of the rulers of each of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. The Federal Supreme Council holds legislative and executive powers, formulating general policies and sanctioning federal legislation. It is responsible for approving various federal laws, ratifying treaties, and appointing key officials such as the prime minister and the president and judges of the Federal Supreme Court.
The differences in legislative structures between Bahrain and the UAE reflect their unique political histories and contexts. Bahrain's bicameral model, with an appointed upper house, allows the monarchy to maintain a strong influence on governance, while the UAE's unicameral Federal Supreme Council gives the rulers of each emirate a direct role in the country's highest legislative and executive body.
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Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council, of which the UAE is also a founding member
Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which the UAE is also a founding member. The GCC is a political and economic alliance of countries in the Arabian Peninsula, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The GCC was founded in 1981, and its members are known for their significant oil and natural gas reserves.
Bahrain and the UAE have a close relationship, and both countries have strong economic ties with the United States. However, Bahrain is not part of the UAE. The UAE is a federal constitutional monarchy composed of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital, while Bahrain is a separate country and a semi-constitutional monarchy with its own king and capital, Manama.
The UAE has a diverse economy, with Dubai being an international hub, while Bahrain has developed one of the first post-oil economies in the Persian Gulf, focusing on banking and tourism. Bahrain is also known for its pearl fisheries, which were historically considered the best in the world.
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Bahrain has a population of 1.5 million, while the UAE has a population of over 10 million
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It is not part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but it does have close relations with its Middle Eastern neighbour. Bahrain has a population of around 1.5 million, with the latest figures from 2023 and 2024 showing a population of 1,501,635 and 1,619,730, respectively. In contrast, the UAE has a much larger population of over 10 million.
Bahrain's population includes a significant number of non-nationals, with over 50% of its residents being non-citizens. The country has a high population density, with most people living in the northern part of the main island. The capital and largest city, Manama, is home to a diverse range of ethnic and religious groups.
On the other hand, the UAE's population is predominantly made up of expatriates, with immigrants accounting for 88% of the total population. The country has a high urbanisation rate, with over 80% of its population living in urban areas. Dubai, the most populous city in the UAE, is an international hub and attracts people from all over the world.
While Bahrain has a relatively small population compared to the UAE, both countries have experienced population growth and continue to be important players in the region. Their populations have diverse backgrounds and contribute to the cultural and economic landscape of the Middle East.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Kingdom of Bahrain is not part of the UAE. Bahrain is an independent island country in West Asia, situated in the Persian Gulf. The UAE is a federal, elective monarchy composed of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi as its capital.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a semi-constitutional monarchy, with a bicameral National Assembly. The UAE is a federal constitutional monarchy, with a Federal Supreme Council made up of the ruling Sheikhs of the seven emirates.
The population of Bahrain was 1,501,635 as of May 14, 2023, of whom 712,362 are Bahraini nationals.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama.