Located in the Middle East at the top of the Gulf, Kuwait is a small,
oil-rich country enclosed by dominant neighbours - Saudi Arabia to
the south, Iraq to the north and Iran to the east. From 1899 until
its independence in 1961, the foreign relations and defence were under
the control of Britain.
Though Kuwait sided with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War, it was invaded
and overrun by Iraq in 1990. The Iraqi forces were ousted by a massive
US-led UN military campaign in the following year. Since then the
AL-SABAH family has been ruling the country. Kuwait is the first Arab
country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament which is now apparently
wielding its power.
Travel overview
History weighs heavily on Kuwait. After it was invaded by Iraq that
racked the country, this small but beautiful; country is beginning
to emerge from the shadows.
As the number of tourists visiting the country soars, the word is
out that this is a land of modern cities, islands, and ancient archeological
sites.
For the majority of visitors, the capital city of Kuwait provides
a head-spinning introduction to the country. Famous for its skyscrapers,
shopping plazas, well-planned boulevards and beautiful gardens and
parks, the city is boasts some spectacular landmarks including the
19th century Seif Palace, the Kuwait Towers, Kuwait National Museum
and Grand Mosque. A short trip from Kuwait City Failaka Island is
known for its Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites.
Red Fort and the Oil Display Centre at Mina Al Ahmadi should also
not be missed.
For adventure tourists, power boating, horse riding, swimming, sailing
and scuba diving are there in Kuwait.
Capital: Kuwait
Location: Middle East
Climate: desert, hot,
Total Area: 17,820 sq km
Total Population: 2,505,559
Population Growth Rate: 3.561%
Sex Ratio: 1.526 male(s)/female
Literacy: 93.3%
Ethnic Groups: Kuwaiti, Arab, South Asian, Iranian
Irrigated land: 130 sq km
Languages: Arabic, English
Time Zone: UTC+3
Currency: Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
Neighbouring countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Type of govt.: constitutional emirate
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Nasir Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Major Political Parties: none
Participation in International Organizations: ABEDA, AMF, BDEAC, AfDB,
AFESD, CAEU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, G-77, GCC, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFRCS,
IHO, ILO, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, ITU, ITUC, Interpol, IOC, IPU,
ISO, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, OPEC, OAPEC, OIC, PCA, UN, UNIDO, UNITAR,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNWTO
Major Agricultural Products: fish
Natural Resources & Minerals: petroleum, fish, natural gas , shrimp
Industry & Transport: petroleum, cement, shipbuilding and repair,
petrochemicals, water desalination, construction materials, food processing,
Airports: 3
Roadways: 5,749 km
Major Trade Partners: US, Germany, Japan , Saudi Arabia , UK, France,
China , Japan , South Korea , US , Taiwan , Singapore , Netherlands
Exports: $56.06 billion
Imports: $19.12 billion
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