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Language: Arabic is the official language, although English is widely understood and is used by most businesses.
Currency: The official currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD), divided into 1,000 fils. Notes come in denominations of 20, 10, 5 and 1 dinars and 500 fils. The Bahraini Dinar is linked to the US Dollar at a rate of US$1=BD 0.375. Money can be exchanged at the airport, bureaux de change (which usually offer the best rates), commercial banks in Manama or at moneychangers operating in the souq. ATMs are available in the larger towns. Credit cards and travellers cheques
are widely accepted at hotels and the larger retail stores, but smaller shops generally prefer cash. It is easiest to carry travellers cheques in US dollars to avoid additional charges. Most offices, businesses and government departments are closed on Fridays, as it is a weekly holiday. Banks are usually open 7.30am to 12pm and 3.30pm to 5.30pm, Saturday to Wednesday, and 7.30am to 11am Thursdays.
Time: GMT +3.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz except in Awali where it is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. Bahrain uses UK style 3-pin power outlets.
Communications: The international direct dialling code for Bahrain is +973, and the outgoing code 00. There are no city or area codes. Public phone booths are easily located, some accepting freely available phone cards and some coins. The country is covered by a GSM 900 and 1800 mobile phone network. There are several Internet service providers and Internet is available at most of the larger hotels in Manama.
Duty Free: Travellers to Bahrain over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco (in open packets); perfume up to 237ml; 1 litre alcoholic liquor and 6 cans of beer for non-Muslim passengers only; and gifts to the value of BD 250. Arms and ammunition, methylated spirits, drugs and jewellery require an Import Permit.
Tourist OfficeBahrain Tourist Office, Manama: +973 715 713 or www.bahraintourism.com
EmergencyEmergencies: 999.
Embassies
Embassy of Bahrain, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 342 0741.
Embassy of Bahrain, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7201 9170.
Embassy of Bahrain, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7201 9170.
United States Embassy, Manama: +973 1724 2700.
British Embassy, Manama: +973 1757 4100.
Canadian Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also responsible for Bahrain): +966 (0)1 488 2288.
Australian Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also responsible for Bahrain): +966 (0)1 488 7788.
South African Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also responsible for Bahrain): +966 (0)1 442 9716/8.
Irish Honorary Consular, Manama: +973 (0)31 772 8146.
New Zealand Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (also responsible for Bahrain): +966 (0)1 488 7988.
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