Kuwait City مدينة الكويت Madinat Al Kuwayt
Skyline of Kuwait City
Kuwait City Location of Kuwait in Kuwait
Coordinates: 29°22′11″N 47°58′42″E / 29.36972°N 47.97833°E / 29.36972; 47.97833Coordinates: 29°22′11″N 47°58′42″E / 29.36972°N 47.97833°E / 29.36972; 47.97833
Country	Kuwait
Governorate	Al Asimah
Area
• Metro	200 km2 (80 sq mi)
Population (2005 estimate)
• City	151,060 (2,008)[1]
• Metro	2,380,000
Time zone	EAT (UTC+3)

Kuwait City (Arabic: مدينة الكويت, transliteration: Madīnat al-Kuwayt), is the capital of Kuwait. It has a population of 2.38 million in the metropolitan area. Located at the heart of the country on the shore of the Persian Gulf, and containing Kuwait's parliament (Majlis Al-Umma), most governmental offices, the headquarters of most Kuwaiti corporations and banks, it is the political, cultural and economic center of the emirate.

Kuwait City’s trade and transportation needs are served by Kuwait International Airport, Mina Al-Shuwaik (Shuwaik Port) and Mina Al Ahmadi (Ahmadi Port) 50 kilometers to the south, on the Persian Gulf coast.

History[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Kuwait Gate, historically surrounded Kuwait City, built in 1929

Kuwait City was first settled in the early 18th century by the Al-Sabāh clan, later the ruling family of Kuwait and a branch of the Al-Utūb tribe (that also included the Al-Khalīfah clan, the ruling family of Bahrain), and their leader, Sheikh Sabāh I. Its name may have derived from an earlier abandoned fort located there, called "Kūt" (كوت) – Arabic for a fortress by the sea.

The settlement grew quickly, and by the time its first wall was built (1760), the town had its own dhow fleet of about 800 and trading relations to Baghdad and Damascus. It was a successful and thriving sea port by the early 19th century.

It was unclear whether Kuwait was part of the Ottoman Empire, and as a result, tensions often broke out between the sheikdom and the empire. These tensions peaked when, in 1896, Sheikh Mubārak Al-Sabāh assassinated his brother, the emir Muhammad Al-Sabāh, over Mubārak's deep suspicion that the Ottoman Empire was willing to annex Kuwait.

In exchange for British naval protection, Mubārak was not to negotiate or give territory to any other foreign power without British consent. With the discovery of oil in 1936, the city’s standard of living improved dramatically, including health and education services.

On August 2, 1990, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait and seized the city. On August 8, Iraq annexed the emirate.^[2] During the occupation, the city was extensively damaged and many buildings were destroyed after it, including the Kuwait National Museum.

When U.S.-led United Nations (UN) forces expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in February 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, foreign investors and the Kuwaiti government were actively involved in modernizing the city and turning it into a world-class business hub. Many hotels, shopping malls and offices were built in the city indicating the economic growth since the war.

In April 14–16, 1993, former U.S. President George H. W. Bush was visiting the city to celebrate a coalition's victory over Iraq in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. However, a day before the visit, agents of the Iraqi Intelligence Service (IIS) smuggled a car bomb into Kuwait in intent of killing Bush during his visit to that city. However the plan was foiled and Kuwaiti officials arrested 17 persons suspected of carry out the plot after a car bomb was found. Later, Saddam's agents admitted of carrying out the attack under the direction from the IIS.^[3]

On June 26–27 of that year, U.S. President Bill Clinton responded to an attempted assassination by the IIS on Bush by firing 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles against the Iraqi Intelligence headquarters in downtown Baghdad. Around 8 civilians were killed in the attack.

Geography and climate[link]

Astronaut View of Kuwait

Kuwait City has an arid climate, with very hot summers, little rainfall, and frequent dust storms.

Summer temperatures range from 38 to 46 degrees Celsius (100 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit). Temperatures over 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) are not uncommon in the summer, especially in heat waves. Winters are much cooler than summer.

Summer rainfall is very rare, and normally non-existent. The wettest month is January, typically with only five days of any rain. Rain may occur in the spring and its frequency increases around November. On average, Kuwait City sees about 22 wet days, and 343 dry days.

Dust storms occur at times during summer from the shamal wind. Dust storms can occur anytime of year but occur mostly during summer, and less frequently during autumn.

Suburbs[link]

Traffic sign demonstrating Kuwait City

Adiliya indicated by a traffic sign

Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:

Al-Salam ""السلام""

Economy[link]

Kuwait’s booming economy has allowed many international hotel chains to enter agreements to open hotels in the country. According to the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, over twenty-five new hotels are planned or in construction, including the following:

• Hotel Missoni Kuwait – now open
• Golden Tulip Kuwait – opening late 2011
• Hilton Olympia Kuwait – opening late 2011
• Ibis Sharq – now open
• Jumeirah Messilah Beach Kuwait – opening mid-2011
• InterContinental Kuwait Downtown – opening late 2010
• InterContinental Kuwait at The White – opening early 2013
• The Square Capital Tower – opening late 2011
• Novotel Mina Abdullah Resort – opening late 2011
• Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at The Gate of Kuwait – plans are in motion to open within the next few years.

By 2012, over 3,000 rooms are expected to be added to Kuwait’s current hotel inventory.

The city is also home to a large variety of shopping malls, which serve as the basis of Kuwaiti social life. Famous malls such as the Avenues, Marina World and the 360 Mall house many internationally-renowned retail and food/beverage brands, as well as provide sheltered, indoor areas to relax. Several more, such as the Mall of Kuwait, the Al Hamra Center and Symphony Centre are expected to enter service within the next five years.

Transport[link]

In 2008, a railway network connecting Arab states of the Persian Gulf was proposed, although work is yet to start.^[6] A metro network was designed, with four lines and stations across the entire city and suburbs. Although it has faced considerable delays, the project is expected to commence construction sometime in 2011 and open parts of the first two lines by July 2016.

Kuwait International Airport is the primary airport for the country serving a wide variety of local and international destinations.

Twin towns — sister cities[link]

Kuwait City is twinned with:

• Tunis, Tunisia
• Beirut, Lebanon^[7]
• Beverly Hills, USA
• Cannes, France
• Dubai, UAE
• Gaziantep, Turkey
• Monaco, Monaco
• Marbella, Spain
• London, England
• Paris, France

Gallery[link]

• 

  Built in 1979, the Kuwait Towers are the most famous landmark in Kuwait City.

• 

  Kuwait City as seen from Shuwaikh

• 

  A highway in Kuwait City

• 

  Majlis Al-Umma (مجلس الأمة, "The Council of the Nation"), the Kuwaiti parliament

• 

  Al-Hashemi-II Marine Museum

• 

  Aqua Park, water-theme park

• 

  Minaret of the Grand Mosque

• 

  Al-Hashemi-II Marine Museum

• 

  The Avenues Mall

• 

  Al Raya Tower complex

• 

  Water Tanks are a feature of Kuwait City

• 

  Aqua Park, water-theme park

• 

  Kuwait Towers

• 

  City skyline

• 

  Kuwait Stock Exchange

• 

  Kuwait Science and Natural History Museum

• 

  Sunset at souq sharq

See also[link]

Middle East portal

• JW Marriott Hotel
• Madinat al-Hareer
• List of diplomatic missions in Kuwait
• Tourism in Kuwait

External links[link]

• (German) Kuwait City at "goruma"
• Kuwait Directory Kuwait Business Links

References[link]

v t e Kuwait City Suburbs Abdullah Al-Salem Al Andalus Bayan Bneid Al-Qar Al Da'iya Al Dasma Al Fayha Farwaniya Al Ahmadi Hawalli Jabriya Kaifan Khaitan Mahboula Al Mansouriah Mishref Al-Nuzha Al Qadisiya Qurtoba Rumaithiya Salmiya Abu Halifa Mangaf Sabah Al-Salem Salwa Al Shamiya Sharq Al Shuwaikh South Khaitan Al Surra Al Yarmouk Al Khaldiya Al Jahra Adiliya Esherj Sabiya Buildings Kuwait Telecommunications Tower National Assembly of Kuwait Kuwait Towers Bayan Palace Seif Palace Grand Mosque Kuwait National Museum Kuwait Science and Natural History Museum Souq Al Mubarakeya Souq Sharq MarineTime Museum Kuwait Scientific Center Sadu House Fahaheel Fish Market Golden Tulip Kuwait Hotel Missoni Kuwait Hilton Olympia Kuwait Ritz Sharq Hotel Jumeirah Messilah Beach Kuwait InterContinental Kuwait Downtown Square Capital Tower Kuwait Central Blood Bank Novotel Mina Abdullah Resort Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait Alrefai Hotel Ahmed Tower Alawadi Tower Albahr Tower Aldaw Tower Alhasawy Hotel Alraya Office Tower Asfour Tower Cemmercial CRC Tower Invesment Dar Tower Jawharet Alkhaleej Tower Al Diera Tower (KFH Tower) Kuwait Trade Center Rakan Tower-28F Watiya Complex Central Bank of Kuwait

v t e Kuwait Subdivisions Terminology Coat of arms History Timeline History of Kuwait Law Courts Nationality Legislation Politics Government Legislature Emir Prime Minister Departments Constitution Human rights (LGBT rights) Elections Parties Foreign relations Geography Geology Rivers Economy History Kuwait Stock Exchange Kuwaiti dinar Banks (Central Bank of Kuwait) Transport Communications Energy Tourism Military History Navy Police Coast Guard Military Kuwait Air Force Demography Demographics Languages Religion Cities Towns Culture Art Cinema Cuisine Education Literature Media Music Sport Television Public holidays Portal Topics

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State of Kuwait دولة الكويت Dawlat al-Kuwait
Flag Emblem
Anthem: Al-Nasheed Al-Watani National anthem of Kuwait
Capital (and largest city)		Kuwait City 29°22′N 47°58′E / 29.367°N 47.967°E / 29.367; 47.967
Official language(s)		Arabic
Ethnic groups		33.9% Kuwaiti Arabs 45.9% Other Arabs 13.5% South and East Asian 1.9% Iranian 4.8% Europeans and Americans
Demonym		Kuwaiti
Government		Unitary hereditary Constitutional monarchy[1][2]
-	Emir	Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
-	Prime Minister	Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
Legislature		Majlis al-Umma
Establishment
-	First Settlement	1613
-	Anglo-Ottoman Convention	1913
-	Independence from the United Kingdom	19 June 1961
Area
-	Total	17,820 km2 (157th) 6,880 sq mi
-	Water (%)	negligible
Population
-	2010 estimate	3,566,437[3] (131st)
-	Density	200.2/km2 (61st) 518.4/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2011 estimate
-	Total	$153.501 billion[4]
-	Per capita	$41,690[4]
GDP (nominal)		2011 estimate
-	Total	$176.667 billion[4] (52nd)
-	Per capita	$47,982[4] (16th)
HDI (2011)		0.760[5] (high) (63rd)
Currency		Kuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Time zone		AST / KSA (UTC+3)
-	Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+3)
Date formats		dd/mm/yyyy (CE)
Drives on the		Right
ISO 3166 code		KW
Internet TLD		.kw
Calling code		965

Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait ⁱ/kuːˈweɪt/ (Arabic: دولة الكويت‎, Dawlat al-Kuwayt) is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the Arabic أكوات ākwāt, the plural of كوت kūt, meaning a fortress built near water.^[6] The country covers an area of 17,820 square kilometers (6,880 sq mi) and has a population of about 3.5 million.^[3]

Historically, the region was the site of Characene, a major Parthian port for trade between Mesopotamia and India. The Bani Utbah tribe were the first permanent Arab settlers in the region, and laid the foundation of the modern emirate. By the 19th century, Kuwait came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire, and after World War I, it emerged as an independent sheikhdom under the protection of the British Empire. Kuwait's large oil fields were discovered in the late 1930s.

After Kuwait gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, the state's oil industry saw unprecedented economic growth. In 1990, Kuwait was invaded and annexed by neighboring Iraq. The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after a direct military intervention by United States-led forces. Around 773 Kuwaiti oil wells were set ablaze by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe.^[7] Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt.^[8]

Kuwait is a constitutional emirate^[1] with a parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country's political and economic capital. The country has the world's fifth largest oil reserves^[9] and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income.^[1] Kuwait is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. In 2007, it had the highest human development index (HDI) in the Arab world.^[10] Kuwait is classified as a high income economy by the World Bank and is designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States.^[11]

History[link]

Historic coins from Failaka Island

Mubarak Al-Sabah, established Modern Kuwait

Kuwait Gate, historically surrounded Kuwait City, Built in 1929

This article contains Arabic text, written from right to left in a cursive style with some letters joined. Without proper rendering support, you may see unjoined Arabic letters written left-to-right instead of right-to-left or other symbols instead of Arabic script.

A Kuwait M-84 tank during Operation Desert Shield in 1991. Kuwait continues to maintain strong relations with the coalition of the Gulf War.

In the 4th century BC, the ancient Greeks colonized an island off Kuwait's coast, now known as Failaka, and named it "Ikaros".^[12] By 123 BC, the region came under the influence of the Parthian Empire and was closely associated with the southern Mesopotamian town of Charax.^[13] In 224 AD, the region fell under the control of Sassanid Empire and came to be known as Hajar.^[14] By the 14th century, the area comprising modern-day Kuwait became a part of the Islamic caliphate.^[15]

The first permanent settlers in the region came from Bani Khalid tribe of Nejd and established the state of Kuwait.^[15] In 1756, the people elected Sabah I bin Jaber as the first Emir of Kuwait.^[16] The current ruling family of Kuwait, al-Sabah, are descendants of Sabah I. During the rule of the Al-Sabah, Kuwait progressively became a center of trade and commerce. It now served as a hub of trade between India, the horn of Africa, the Nejd, Mesopotamia and the Levant. Until the advent of Japanese pearl farming, Kuwait had one of the largest sea fleets in the Persian Gulf region and a flourishing pearling industry. Trade consisted mainly of pearls, wood, spices, dates and horses.

In 1899, Kuwait entered into a treaty with the United Kingdom that gave the British extensive control over the foreign policy of Kuwait in exchange for protection and annual subsidy.^[17] This treaty was primarily prompted by fears that the proposed Berlin-Baghdad Railway would lead to an expansion of German influence in the Persian Gulf. After the signing of the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, then Emir of Kuwait, Mubarak Al-Sabah, was diplomatically recognized by both the Ottomans and British as the ruler of the autonomous caza of the city of Kuwait and the hinterlands.^[18] However, soon after the start of World War I, the British invalidated the convention and declared Kuwait an independent principality under the protection of the British Empire.^[19] The 1922 Treaty of Uqair set Kuwait's border with Saudi Arabia and also established the Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone, an area of about 5,180 km² adjoining Kuwait's southern border.

On 19 June 1961, Kuwait became fully independent following an exchange of notes between the United Kingdom and the then Emir of Kuwait, Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah.^[18] The Gulf rupee, issued by the Reserve Bank of India, was replaced by the Kuwaiti dinar. The discovery of large oil fields, especially the Burgan field, triggered a large influx of foreign investments into Kuwait. The massive growth of the petroleum industry transformed Kuwait from a poor pearl farming community into one of the richest countries in the Arabian Peninsula and by 1952, the country became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from Egypt and India.

Kuwait settled its boundary disputes with Saudi Arabia and agreed on sharing equally the neutral zone's petroleum reserves, onshore and offshore. After a brief stand-off over boundary issues, Iraq formally recognized Kuwait's independence and its borders in October 1963. During the 1970s, the Kuwaiti government nationalized the Kuwait Oil Company, ending its partnership with Gulf Oil and British Petroleum.

In 1982, Kuwait experienced a major economic crisis after the Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash and decrease in oil price.^[20] However, the crisis was short-lived as Kuwait's oil production increased steadily to fill the gap caused by decrease in Iraq's and Iran's oil production levels following the events of the Iran–Iraq War. In 1983, a series of six bomb explosions took place in Kuwait killing five people. The attack was carried out by Shiite Dawa Party to retaliate Kuwait's financial support to Iraq during its war with Iran.^[21]

Kuwait had heavily funded Iraq's eight year-long war with Iran. After the war ended, Kuwait declined an Iraqi request to forgive its US$65 billion debt.^[22] An economic warfare between the two countries followed after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.^[23] Tensions between the two countries increased further after Iraq alleged that Kuwait was slant drilling oil from its share of the Rumaila field.^[23]

On 2 August 1990, Iraqi forces invaded and annexed Kuwait. A long-time ally of Saddam Hussein, Yemen's President, Ali Abdullah Saleh was quick to back Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.^[24] Saddam Hussein, then President of Iraq, deposed the Emir of Kuwait, Jaber Al-Sabah, and initially propped up a puppet régime before annexing Kuwait and installing Ali Hassan al-Majid as the new governor of Kuwait.^[25] During the Iraqi occupation, about 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed and more than 300,000 residents fled the country.^[26] After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the United States-led coalition of thirty-four nations fought the Gulf War to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait. On 26 February 1991, the coalition succeeded in driving out the Iraqi forces, restoring the Kuwaiti Emir to power.^[27] Kuwait paid the coalition forces US$17 billion for their war efforts.^[27]

During their retreat from the coalition, the Iraqi armed forces carried out a scorched earth policy by damaging 737 oil wells in Kuwait, of which approximately 600 were set on fire.^[28] It was estimated that by the time Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation, about 5 to 6 million barrels (950,000 m³) of oil was being burned in a single day because of these fires.^[29]

Oil and soot accumulation had affected the entire Persian Gulf region and large oil lakes were created holding approximately 25 to 50 million barrels (7,900,000 m³) of oil^[30] and covering 5% of Kuwait's land area.^[28] In total, about 11 million barrels (1,700,000 m³) of oil was released into the Persian Gulf^[31] and an additional 2% of Kuwait's 96 billion barrels (1.53×10¹⁰ m³) of crude oil reserves were burned by the time the oil fires were brought under control.^[32] The fires took more than nine months to extinguish fully and it took Kuwait more than 2 years and US$50 billion in infrastructure reconstruction to reach pre-invasion oil output.^[33] Kuwait has since largely recovered from the socio-economic, environmental, and public health effects of the Persian Gulf War.

Politics[link]

The Bayan Palace serves as the seat of the Government of Kuwait

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy and has the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. Currently the country is under the reign of the Al Sabah family. The head of state is the Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office. A council of ministers, also known as cabinet ministers, aids the Prime Minister, and appoints and dismisses diplomats. Legislative power is vested in the Emir and the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. The Emir of Kuwait can dissolve the National Assembly and call a national election, or in cases of national emergency can dismiss the National Assembly outright and assume supreme authority over the country. The Emir is the commander in chief of Kuwait's armed forces. The Emir has authority to grant pardon from the death penalty or prison.

The National Assembly consists of fifty elected members, who are chosen in elections held every four years. Government ministers are also granted membership in the parliament and can number up to sixteen excluding the fifty elected members. According to the Constitution of Kuwait, nomination of a new Emir or Crown Prince by the ruling Al-Sabah family has to be approved by the National Assembly. If the nominee does not win the votes of the Assembly, and the Assembly must approve one of them to hold the post. Any amendment to the constitution can be proposed by the Emir but it needs to be approved by more than two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly before being implemented.^[34]

There have been several conflicts between the Emir, the government and the National Assembly over various policies. The National Assembly was suspended from 1976 to 1981, from 1986 to 1991 and from May 1999 to July 1999, due to irresolvable conflicts between some members of the government and the Assembly.^[35] The Assembly was dissolved again in May 2009 by the Emir leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheik Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the rest of the Cabinet.^[36] Nationwide elections were held on 16 May 2009.^[37]

More than two-thirds of those who reside in Kuwait do not hold Kuwaiti citizenship and thus cannot vote in parliamentary elections. Additionally, prior to 2005, only 15% of the Kuwaiti population were allowed to vote, with all "recently naturalized" citizens (i.e., less than thirty years of citizenship) and members of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces excluded. On 16 May 2005, Parliament permitted women's suffrage by a 35–23 vote.

The decision raised Kuwait's eligible voter population from 139,000 to about 339,000. In 2006, the number of Kuwaiti citizens was estimated to be more than 960,000. In 2005, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah announced the appointment of the first female cabinet minister, Massouma Mubarak. She was designated Planning Minister and Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs.^[38] During the 2008 parliamentary elections, 27 of the 275 candidates were women. However, none of them won.^[39] In the parliamentary elections on 16 May 2009, 16 female candidates contested for 50 seats for a four-year term. Four female candidates won their seats and became Kuwait's first female lawmakers.^[40]

In April 2010, Kuwait's government, unhappy about possible democratic change in Egypt by Mohamed ElBaradei's National Association for Change, deported 17 Egyptians for trying to organize a local chapter of the Association in Kuwait.^[41]

Heads of Kuwait[link]

Emir: Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Prime Minister: Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah

Speaker of the National Assembly: Ahmed Al-Sadoun

Judicial Branch: Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Foreign relations and military[link]

Location of diplomatic missions of Kuwait:

  Kuwait

  Embassy

The State of Kuwait became the 111th member state of the United Nations on 14 May 1963. It is a long-standing member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. It is also a key member of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), along with Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia. Having modeled the GCC on the European Union, member states enjoy free trade and citizens of GCC member states can travel to other GCC countries with their civil identification, not requiring visas.

Kuwait's relationship with its neighbors has been influenced by the Sunni-Shia conflict. After the Iranian revolution of 1979, Sunni-majority Kuwait began supporting the Sunni regime of Iraq's Saddam Hussein in its subsequent eight-year war with the hardline Shia regime of Iran. Despite prior tensions, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia provided considerable financial support to Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Kuwait's ties with Iraq remained severed after the 1991 Gulf War, until the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Kuwait enjoys a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia, which provided considerable support for the deposed royal family of Kuwait. Although fairly cordial, Kuwait's relations with Iran remain hinged on the stability of the Shia-Sunni conflict and rival goals for the control of the Persian Gulf. Kuwait's ties with states that supported Saddam Hussein's invasion, such as Yemen and the Palestine Liberation Organization, remain testy, although Kuwait has always refused to establish ties with Israel.

Kuwait enjoys a strong relationship with the United States, playing host to major U.S. military bases. Following U.S. leadership in the effort to liberate Kuwait, both nations have forged close political and economic relations. Although most Arab nations expressed opposition to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Kuwait supported it and provided its territory as a launching pad for the invasion.

The State of Kuwait spends close to US$ 5 billion for defense. Its military consists of the Kuwaiti Army, with an estimated strength of 15,000 personnel, the Kuwaiti Navy, with 2,000 naval personnel and 400 coast guards, and the Kuwaiti Air Force, with an estimated strength of 2,500 personnel. The Kuwaiti National Guard is the main internal security force. Owing to its demographics and small population, Kuwait has not been able to build a sizeably large military and therefore collaborates extensively with foreign nations to preserve its security. After liberation from Iraq, Kuwait signed long-term defense cooperation agreements with the United States, Britain and France, and purchased military equipment from Egypt, Russia and the People's Republic of China as well.

[edit] Geography and climate

Map of Kuwait

Located in the north-east corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. It lies between latitudes 28° and 31° N, and longitudes 46° and 49° E. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. The country is generally low lying, with the highest point being 306 m (1,004 ft) above sea-level.^[1] It has nine islands, all of which, with the exception of Failaka Island, are uninhabited.^[42] With an area of 860 km² (330 sq mi), the Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380 m (7,808 ft) long bridge.^[43] The land area is considered arable^[1] and sparse vegetation is found along its 499 km long coastline.^[1] Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor.

Kuwait has some of the world's richest oil fields with the Burgan field having a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (1.1×10¹⁰ m³) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwaiti oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km² (13.8 sq mi).^[44] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.^[29] The oil spills during the Gulf War also drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.^[45]

The spring season in March is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cold in winter and spring and hot in summer. Southeasterly winds, usually hot and damp, spring up between July and October; hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.^[46]

• 

  Sandstorm over Kuwait in April, 2003

• 

  Topography of Kuwait

• 

  Sandstorm over Al Ahmadi in 2011

• 

  The Burqan Field

• 

  Nine Islands of Kuwait

Governorates[link]

Kuwait is divided into 6 governorates (muhafazah). The governorates are further subdivided into districts.

Subdivision	Capital	Area km²	Population Census of 2005	Created
Al Ahmadi1)	Al Ahmadi	5 120	393 861	1946 from Al Asimah
Al Asimah (Al Kuwayt)2)	Al Kuwait	200	261 013	original Governorate
Al Farwaniyah	Al Farwaniyah	190	622 123	1988 from Al Asimah
Al Jahra3)	Al Jahra	12 130	272 373	1979 from Al Asimah
Hawalli	Hawalli District	84	487 514	original Governorate
Mubarak Al-Kabeer	Mubarak Al-Kabeer	94	176 519	November 1999 from Hawalli
TOTAL		17 818	2 213 403
1) The Neutral Zone was dissolved on 18 December 1969, and the northern part with 2590 km² was added to Al Ahmadi (with small part in the northwest added to Al Jahra)
2) including the islands of Failaka, Miskan, and Auhah
3) including the islands of Warbah and Bubiyan

Economy[link]

Kuwait City, the main economic hub of the country

Graphical depiction of Kuwait's product exports in 28 color coded categories.

Kuwait has a GDP (PPP) of US$167.9 billion^[48] and a per capita income of US$81,800,^[48] making it the 5th richest country in the world, per capita.^[10]

According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the Middle East.^[49] In March 2007, Kuwait's foreign exchange reserves stood at US$213 billion.^[50] The Kuwait Stock Exchange, which has about 200 firms listed, is the second-largest stock exchange in the Arab world with a total market capitalization of US$235 billion.^[51] In 2007, the Kuwaiti government posted a budget surplus of US$43 billion.^[52]

Kuwait has proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels (15 km³),^[48] estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. According to the Kuwaiti constitution, all natural resources in the country and associated revenues are government property.^[53] Being a tax-free country, Kuwait's oil industry accounts for 80% of government revenue. Petroleum and petrochemicals accounts for nearly half of GDP and 95% of export revenues. Increase in oil prices since 2003 resulted in a surge in Kuwait's economy.^[54]

Kuwait currently pumps 2.9 million bpd and its full production capacity is a little over 3 million bpd, including oil production in the neutral region that it shares with Saudi Arabia.^[55] Kuwait oil production is expected to increase to 4 million bpd by 2020.^[56] To realize this production target, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation plans to spend US$51 billion between 2007 to 2012 to upgrade and expand the country's existing refineries.^[57] However, the country's economy was badly affected by the global financial crisis of 2008.^[58] In 2009, the Central Bank of Kuwait devised a US$5.15 billion stimulus package to help boost the economy.^[59]

Other major industries include shipping, construction, cement, water desalination, construction materials and financial services.^[48] Kuwait has a well developed banking system and several banks in the country date back to the time before oil was discovered. Founded in 1952, the National Bank of Kuwait is the largest bank in the country and one of the largest in the Arab world.^[60] Other prominent financial institutions based in Kuwait include the Gulf Bank of Kuwait and Burgan Bank, which is named after the largest oilfield in the country.

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. The government is keen on decreasing Kuwait's dependence on oil to fuel its economy by transforming it into a regional trading and tourism hub. The planned US$77 billion Madinat al-Hareer (City of Silk) is the largest real estate development project in the Middle East.^[50] The Central Bank issues Kuwait's currency, the Kuwaiti dinar. As of May 2012, the dinar is the highest-valued currency unit in the world.^[61]

In 2011, estimated exports stood at US$94.47 billion and imports were around US$22.41 billion.^[62] Petroleum, petrochemical products, fertilizers and financial services are major export commodities. Kuwait imports a wide range of products ranging from food products and textiles to machinery. Kuwait's most important trading partners are Japan, United States, India, South Korea, Singapore, China, European Union and Saudi Arabia.^[48] Japan is the largest customer of Kuwaiti oil followed by India, Singapore and South Korea.^[63]

On 5 January 2010, Kuwait has started the construction of Salmiya Park in Salmiya. The Heads said "it would take at least 4 years to complete Salmiya Park"

Education[link]

The State of Kuwait is directing its attention towards Inclusive Education, which provides opportunity to all children, irrespective of their social class, including children with special needs. Kuwait education system is marked by several achievements in recent years. As of 2005/06 Kuwait allocates 13 percent of all public expenditure to education, which is comparable to the allocation of public funds to education in many OECD countries but lower than other Arab countries. For the same years the public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP was 3.9 percent in 2005/12 which is well below the percentage of GDP spent by OECD countries on education.

As of 2005, the literacy rate of Kuwait is 93.3 percent. Kuwait is facing challenges in improving the quality of education at all levels and to build capacities of students' from a young age. The Ministry of Education is also making efforts to incorporate women into the educated workforce through various programs, for instance the 1989 initiative to establish daytime literacy clinics for women. The Kuwaiti government also offers scholarships to students accepted in universities in United States, United Kingdom and other foreign institutes.

There is also higher education, which has improved drastically in the past years. The largest university is Kuwait University which is free for Kuwaitis and has over 1,500 faculty members and approximately 30,000 students. There are also a number of private institutions such as American University of Kuwait, Gulf University for Science and Technology, the Australian University of Kuwait. The American University of The Middle East, Box Hill College Kuwait and Maastricht Business School Kuwait. A new project called "Sabah Al Ahmed University City" is also being initiated and is expected to be completed in a few more years.

Kuwait has the highest literacy rate among the Arab world with 94%, up from 93.3% in 2005 (as stated above).^{[citation needed]}

Demographics[link]