Kuwait





The State of Kuwait is a small oil-rich monarchy on the coast of the Persian
Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia in the south and Iraq in the north.

                                       Official language  Arabic
                                       Capital            Kuwait
                                       Emir               Jabir Al Sabah
                                       Prime minister     Saad Al Sabah
History
                                       Area               Ranked 152nd
                                       Ê- Total           17,820 km2
                                       Ê- % water         Negligible
Kuwait has been a part of the Abbasid  Population         Ranked 141st
empire from the 8th century, and was   Ê- Total (2001)    2,041,961
later incorporated in the Ottoman      Ê- Density         115/km2
Empire (16th century), where it was    Independence       June 19, 1961
eventually granted some degree of
autonomy as a principality; the        Currency           Dinar
current ruling family are descendants  Time zone          UTC +3
from these princes.
                                       National anthem    Al-Nasheed
In 1899, growing British influence led                    Al-Watani
to Kuwait becoming a British           Internet TLD       .KW
protectorate. This status ended with   Calling Code       965
independence in 1961, by which time
the discovery of oil had made the nation a wealthy one, attracting many
immigrant laborers (which are not granted citizenship).

After being allied with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, it was occupied and
annexed by Iraq in August 1990. An American-led alliance liberated the tiny nation.

Politics

Chief of state is the Emir, a semi-heriditary title. The emir appoints the
prime minister, which is currently the emir's crown prince. A council of
ministers aids the prime minister in his task as head of government. The
parliament, or Majlis al-Umma, consists of 50 members, who are chosen in
elections held every four years. As Kuwaiti citizenship is very restricted,
only 10% of the population is eligible to vote.

Governorates

Kuwait is divided into 5 governorates (muhafazat):

   * Al Ahmadi
   * Al Farwaniyah
   * Al Asimah
   * Al Jahra
   * Hawalli

Geography

Kuwait consists mostly of desert, with little altitude difference. The
climate is dry and hot. On the north coast of the Persian Gulf, an number of
islands is situated, largest of which is Bubiyan.

The major cities are the capital Kuwait, Salmiya (most inhabitants) and Hawalli.

Economy

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil
reserves of 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts
for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government
income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with
the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75%
of potable water must be distilled or imported. Higher oil prices put the
FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only
nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02
envisioned higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general
categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to
develop fields in the northern part of the country.

Demographics

About 80% of the Kuwaiti population is Arab; the non-Kuwaiti Arabs contain a
large group of Palestinians. Other large groups of immigrants are made up by
Indians and Pakistani, and Iranians.

The official language is Arabic, although English is generally understood.
Some immigrants also speak their own local languages. About 85% of the
Kuwait are muslims, mostly Sunni.