Kuwait
- This article is about the country of Kuwait. For the capital city with the same name, see Kuwait City
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. Kuwait is in Southwest Asia.
History
Main article: History of Kuwait
Kuwait was established in the 16th century when several clans from the Al Aniza tribe migrated to the northern shore of the Persian Gulf from the Najd, their famine-stricken homeland in central Arabia. They settled in what now known as Qatar for more than sixty years and then traveled the sea to settle in the Isle De Chader, where a small fort “kut” was there. Kuwait has never been a part of the Abbasid empire 8th century since it didn’t exist at that time and it never incorporate in the Ottoman Empire (16th century) as it was just forming as a small village with no significance at all which granted a degree of autonomy as a principality . The current rulers of the country are descended from Sabah I that was chosen by the community made up mainly of traders. They were tasked with administering the affairs of the State including foreign affairs and taxation/duties. This is unlike most other Arab emirates of the Persian Gulf where the rulers took and maintained authority by force.
The 17th century saw the Arabian Peninsula in tumultuous times. What is now Kuwait was land occupied by tribes being used for spice trades in India. In the 18th century, most locals made a living selling pearls. However, as pearl farming developed in Japan during the 1930s, Kuwait became impoverished. In 1899, growing British influence led to Kuwait becoming a British protectorate. Oil turned Kuwait into one of the richest countries in the Arab peninsula; in 1953 the country became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf, attracting many immigrant laborers who were rarely granted citizenship. Kuwait, having amassed great wealth, was the first of the Persian Gulf-Arab states to declare independence in 1961. This declaration was challenged by Iraq until 1963.
After being allied with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, Kuwait was invaded and annexed by Iraq in August 1990. The monarchy was deposed and an Iraqi governor installed. Authorized by the UN Security Council, an American-led coalition of 34 nations fought the Persian Gulf War to free Kuwait and reinstate the Emir.
Politics
Main article: Politics of Kuwait
Chief of state is the Emir, a semi-hereditary title. The emir appoints the prime minister, who until recently was also the 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.
See also: al-Sabah Royal Family
Governorates
Main article: Governorates of Kuwait
Kuwait is divided into 6 governorates (muhafazat):
Geography
Main article: Geography of Kuwait
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. It is considered to be one of the fifteen lands that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity"
The major cities are the capital Kuwait, Salmiya (most inhabitants) and Hawalli.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Kuwait
Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of 94 billion barrels (15 km³) - 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
Main article: Demographics of Kuwait
About 80% of the Kuwaiti population is Arab; the non-Kuwaiti Arabs contain a large group of Egyptians and also stateless Arabs, locally known as Bidoon (an Arabic word meaning without and different from Bedouin). Other large groups of immigrants include Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, and Filipinos. Kuwait formerly had a large Palestinian population, though most of them were forced out of the country after PLO leader Yassir Arafat's support of Iraq during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.
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.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Kuwait
- They share 12 league titles with Spartak Varna
Miscellaneous topics
External links
- Kuwait Information Office
- Kuwait Information Portal
- Kuwait News
- Kuwait Blogs - Listing and hosting of blogs from about about Kuwait
- Kuwait Electronic Guide - Kuwait's Municipality's Maps and Directions Guide
- The American International School of Kuwait - Home of the Lions
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