King: Sheikh Hamad Bin-Isa Al-Khalifah

Born on 28 January, 1950, Sheikh Hamad was educated at public school in Cambridge, England, and went on to study at Mons Officer Cadet School in Aldershot, England, and at the U.S. Army Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

In 1968, he founded and became Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF). He also served as Minister of Defence from 1971 to 1988.

He had been Crown Prince since 1964, when, on the death of his father, Sheikh Isa, in March 1999, he became Emir of Bahrain and Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF).

His title was changed to king when the country officially changed its status from an emirate to a monarchy in February 2002.

Country Profile: Bahrain

An archipelago made up of some 30 islands, Bahrain was once viewed by the ancient Sumerians as an island paradise to which the wise and the brave were taken to enjoy eternal life.

With the current harsh Gulf climate, however, it is mostly desert. It still plays a traditional role as an important trading centre.

BAHRAIN FACTS
Population: 724,000 (UN, 2003)
Capital: Manama
Major language: Arabic
Major religion:Islam
Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Bahraini dinar = 1,000 fils
Main exports: Petroleum and petroleum products, aluminium
Annual average income: US $11,130 (World Bank, 2001)
Internet domain: .bh
International dialling code: +973