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== History == == History ==
{{Main|History of Kuwait}} {{Main|History of Kuwait}}
كله طيز.

The Kuwaiti island of ] was first inhabited by ]s in 2000 BC.<ref name=ur>{{cite web|url=http://www.archaeology.org/issues/79-1303/features/kuwait/548-meopotamian-ur-traders|title=Traders from Ur?|work=] |accessdate=21 July 2013}}</ref> In the 4th century BC, the ] colonized Failaka, naming it "]".<ref>{{cite news|last=Arun |first=Neil |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6930285.stm |title=Alexander's Gulf outpost uncovered |publisher=BBC News |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> Kuwait was historically the site of settlements from the Mesopotamian ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabtimesonline.com/Portals/0/PDF_Files/pdf12/nov/30/04.pdf|title=Kuwait-Polish team finds Ubaid era village|work=arabtimesonline.com |accessdate=8 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Carter |first=Robert |title=Boat remains and maritime trade in the Persian Gulf during the sixth and fifth millennia BC |journal=Antiquity |volume=80 |issue=307 |year=2006 |url=http://www.academia.edu/173149/Boat_remains_and_maritime_trade_in_the_Persian_Gulf_during_the_sixth_and_fifth_millennia_BC }}</ref> The earliest evidence of ] has been found in Kuwait indicating that sailing was known by the Ubaid period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/kuwait/1314980/Secrets-of-worlds-oldest-boat-are-discovered-in-Kuwait-sands.html |title=Secrets of world's oldest boat are discovered in Kuwait sands|work=] |accessdate=21 August 2013}}</ref> By 123 BC, Kuwait came under the influence of the ].<ref name=parthian/> In 127 BC, the ] was founded in Kuwait and neighboring ].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kaveh Farrokh|title=Shadows in the Desert: Ancient Persia at War|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=p7kltwf9yrwC|accessdate=2013-06-23|year=2007|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-1-84603-108-3}}</ref>

In 224 AD, Kuwait fell under the control of the ].<ref name=parthian>{{cite web|url=http://gulfartguide.com/essay/kuwait/ |title=Kuwait |publisher=gulfartguide.com|accessdate=2013-07-29}}</ref> In 636 AD, the ] between the Sassanid Empire and ] was fought in Kuwait near the town of ].<ref>{{cite book|author=Kurt Ray|title=A Historical Atlas of Kuwait|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RvXDiWHSxN4C&pg=PA10&dq|page=10|year=2003}}</ref><ref name=trade/> As a result of the Rashidun victory in the seventh century, an early Islamic settlement known as ''Kazima'' or ''Kadhima'' was founded in Kuwait.<ref name=trade/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dur.ac.uk/archaeology/research/projects/?mode=project&id=482 |title=Kadhima : an Early Islamic settlement and landscape on Kuwait Bay |publisher=]|accessdate=2013-07-28}}</ref> Kuwait was controlled by the kingdom of ].<ref>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=TdZtAAAAMAAJ|title=Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies Volumes 9–12 |page=53 |year= 1979 |quote=Although the town of al-Hira might have been too far northward to be considered a part of Eastern Arabia it is dealt with here as such because the kingdom of al- Hira controlled Kazima (Kuwait).}}</ref> During the early Islamic period, Kuwait was well known for being a fertile area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?isbn=0130900729|title=Culture in rehabilitation: from competency to proficiency |work=Jeffrey L. Crabtree, Abdul Matin Royeen|page=194 |year=2006 |quote=During the early Islamic period, Kazima had become a very famous fertile area and served as a trading stations for travelers in the region.}}</ref> During the 7th century, Muslim armies were stationed in Kuwait due to its strategic location.<ref name=trade/> Kuwait became a famous trading station by the 9th century.<ref name=trade>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=ACS3J9mVInMC&pg=PA20&dq|title=Kuwait in Pictures|work=Francesca Davis DiPiazza|year=2008|pages=20–21}}</ref>

In 1521, Kuwait was under ] control.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameu.org/getattachment/af6d61e0-5cab-4344-a857-5b8987636fb7/Kuwait.aspx|title=Kuwait: Prosperity from a Sea of Oil |work=G. Aloun Klaum |year=1980 |page=30}}</ref> In the late 16th century, the Portuguese built a defensive settlement in Kuwait.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=apU3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA572&dq|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam|page=572 |work=Sir H. A. R. Gibb |year=1980}}</ref> One of the earliest settlers in the region came from the ] clan, who later helped establish the state of Kuwait. The region became part of the Ottoman Empire in the early 17th century. In 1756, Kuwait's merchants elected ] as the first ], who enjoyed a degree of semi-autonomy under the Ottomans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20080228204101/http://www.kuwait-info.com/sidepages/nat_history.asp |title=Kuwait's History |publisher=Wayback.archive.org |date= |accessdate=2013-06-23}}</ref> The current monarchy of Kuwait, ], are descendants of Sabah I.

Kuwait became a major center of trade and commerce following its establishment in the late 17th century.<ref name=kw/> By the mid 18th century, Kuwait had already established itself as a major trading route from the ] to ] and between the years 1775 and 1779, the Indian trade routes with ], ], ] and ] were diverted to Kuwait due to the Persian invasion of ].<ref name=kw/>

The Persian invasion of Basra in 1775 greatly benefited Kuwait's economy.<ref name=kw>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=R0NH1CbXf24C&printsec=frontcover|title=Constancy and Change in Contemporary Kuwait City: The Socio-cultural Dimensions of the Kuwait Courtyard and Diwaniyya|work= Mohammad Khalid A. Al-Jassar|year=2009|pages=66–71}}</ref> In addition to the diversion of trade routes, many of Basra's leading merchants moved to Kuwait.<ref name=kw/> ] was diverted to Kuwait in 1792, which consequently expanded Kuwait's resources beyond fishing and pearling.<ref name=kw/> The English Factory secured the sea routes between Kuwait, ] and the east coasts of ].<ref name=kw/> This allowed Kuwaiti vessels to venture all the way to the pearling banks of ] and trade goods with ] and ].<ref name=kw/>

The strategic location of Kuwait and geopolitical turbulence in the region helped foster economic prosperity in Kuwait.<ref name=kw/> Kuwait became wealthy due to neighboring instability.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=iT_8KzTECwMC&pg=PA19&dq|title=Waqai-i manazil-i Rum: Tipu Sultan's mission to Constantinople |work= Mohibbul Hasan |year= 2007 |page=18}}</ref> It was estimated that Kuwait's sea trade reached 16 million Bombay rupees by 1800, a substantial amount at that time for a small town.<ref name=kw/> Economic prosperity during the late 18th century attracted many immigrants from ] and ] to Kuwait.<ref name=kw/> Kuwait's pre-oil population was ethnically diverse.<ref name=et>{{cite web|url=http://pubcouncil.kuniv.edu.kw/jgaps/home.aspx?id=8&Root=yes&authid=1383 |title=The Hypothetical Population Pattern of the Population Growth of the State of Kuwait in the pre-oil era |publisher=] |date= |accessdate=2013-07-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DRtWm-UkS-oC&pg=PA46&dq|title=Seafaring in the Arabian Gulf and Oman: People of the Dhow|page=46 |work=Dionisius A. Agius |year=2005}}</ref> The population consisted of ], ], ], ] and ].<ref name=et/> Until the advent of Japanese ], Kuwait had the largest sea fleet in the region and a successful pearling industry.

=== British Kuwait ===
].]]

In 1899, fearing direct rule from the Ottomans, Sheikh ], the lion of the Arabic island and the killer of his two brothers, entered into a treaty with Britain by which Kuwait became a protectorate. Britain provided naval protection and an annual subsidy in return for allowing London to control its foreign affairs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35876.htm|title=US Department of State|work=State.gov|date=4 May 2010|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> This treaty was primarily prompted by fears that the proposed ] would lead to an expansion of ] influence in the ]. After the signing of the ], Sheikh Mubarak was diplomatically recognized by both the Ottomans and British as the ruler of the autonomous ] of the city of Kuwait and the hinterlands.<ref name=autogenerated9>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/35876.htm |title=Kuwait (06/07)|publisher=State.gov|date=4 May 2010|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> However, soon after the start of ], the British invalidated the convention and declared Kuwait an independent principality under the protection of the ].<ref name=Cleveland>{{cite book|author=William L. Cleveland|title=A history of the modern Middle East|year=2000|publisher=Westview Press|isbn=978-0-8133-3489-9}}</ref>{{page needed|date=June 2013}} The ] set Kuwait's border with Saudi Arabia and also established the ], an area of about 5,180&nbsp;km² adjoining Kuwait's southern border.

Large oil reserves were discovered by the US-British ] in 1937. Exploration was delayed by World War II, but thereafter fuelled the country's development into a modern commercial centre. ] was abolished in Kuwait in 1947.<ref>"". '']''. January 25, 2013</ref> A major public-works programme began in 1951; Kuwait's infrastructure was transformed, and residents began to enjoy a high standard of living. By 1952, the country became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from ] and ].

=== Independence ===
On 19 June 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate; the sheikh ], became an emir, and the country joined the ].<ref name="autogenerated9"/> Iraq laid claim that Kuwait was part of its territory, but formally recognized Kuwait's independence and its borders in October 1963. Under the terms of a newly drafted ], Kuwait held its first ]. However, the Emir suspended the National Assembly in 1976, saying it was not acting in the country's interests.

The exploitation of large ], especially the ], transformed Kuwait into a rich country. Kuwait settled its boundary disputes with Saudi Arabia and agreed on sharing equally the ]'s petroleum reserves. During the 1970s, the Kuwaiti government nationalized the ], ending its partnership with ] and ].

In the early 1980s, Kuwait experienced a major economic crisis after the ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stock-market-crash.net/souk.htm |title=Kuwait’s Souk al-Manakh Stock Bubble |publisher=Stock-market-crash.net |date=2012-06-23 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> This prompted the Emir ] to recall the National Assembly in 1981. 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 due to the ]. The National Assembly was dissolved again in 1986.

During the ] in the 1980s, Kuwait supported Iraq. In 1983, the ] ] carried out ], in opposition to Kuwait's support of Iraq.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hunter|first=Shireen T.|title=Iran and the world : continuity in a revolutionary decade|year=1990|publisher=Indiana University Press|location=Bloomington|isbn=9780253328779|page=117}}</ref> After the war ended, Kuwait declined an Iraqi request to forgive its US$65 billion debt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_213.shtml|title=Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990|work=Acig.org|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> An economic rivalry between the two countries ensued after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.<ref name=autogenerated6>{{cite book|url=http://books.google.com/?id=DejCbO1mvCYC&pg=PA156&dq=Kuwait+slant+drilling |title=The colonial present: Afghanistan ... |publisher=Google Books|accessdate=28 June 2010|isbn=978-1-57718-090-6|year=2004}}</ref> Tensions between the two countries increased further in July 1990, after Iraq complained to ] that Kuwait was stealing its oil from a field near the border by ] of the ].<ref name=autogenerated6 />

] policy of ]i ] retreating from Kuwait.]]
On 2 August 1990, Iraqi forces ] Kuwait. After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the United States led a coalition to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait, in what became known as the ]. On 26 February 1991, the coalition succeeded in driving out the Iraqi forces. As they retreated, Iraqi forces carried out a ] policy by setting oil wells on fire.<ref name=autogenerated10>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120429014811/http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Iraq/Iraqtext |title=Iraq and Kuwait: 1972, 1990, 1991, 1997 |publisher=Earthshots: Satellite Images of Environmental Change |date= |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> During the Iraqi occupation, about 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed and more than 300,000 residents fled the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayback.archive.org/web/20031025015555/http://www.jafi.org.il/education/actual/iraq/3.html |title=The Use of Terror during Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait |publisher=Jafi.org.il |date=15 May 2005 |accessdate=24 October 2010}}</ref>

The Emir and the government returned in March 1991 and imposed a three-month period of martial law.<ref name=autogenerated7>{{cite web|url=http://ehistory.osu.edu/middleeast/CountryView.cfm?ID=115|title=Kuwait|work=Ehistory.osu.edu|accessdate=28 June 2010}}</ref> Kuwait paid the coalition forces US$17 billion for their war efforts.<ref name=autogenerated7 /> Under domestic and international pressure, Emir Jaber gave the green light to ]. In 1993 the UN demarcated the new Kuwait-Iraq border, and Iraq officially recognised Kuwait's independence and the UN-demarcated borders in 1994.

The Emir once again dissolved the National Assembly in 1999; liberals predominated in the resulting ].<ref>Nohlen, D, Grotz, F & Hartmann, C (2001) ''Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I'', p. 161-162 ISBN 978-0-19924-958-9</ref> In March 2003 Kuwait became the springboard for the US-led ]. Islamist and pro-government candidates fared well in the ]. In May 2005, parliament approved a law allowing women to vote and run for parliament for the first time. In June the first woman cabinet minister, ], was appointed.

Upon the death of the Emir Jaber, in January 2006, ] succeeded him but was removed nine days later by the Kuwaiti parliament due to his ailing health. ] was sworn in as Emir. Sheikh ] was named as crown prince and his nephew ] was named as prime minister.

Parliamentary elections were held in ]. The opposition – a loose alliance of reformists, liberals and Islamists – won nearly two-thirds of the seats despite government attempts to curb media freedoms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14647211 |title=BBC News – Kuwait profile – Timeline |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2012-10-17 |accessdate=2013-01-14}}</ref> The ] was dissolved by the Emir due to constant clashes between the government and the elected MPs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/03/19/us-kuwait-government-idUSL1911122520080319 |title=Kuwait dissolves parliament, sets May election |work=] |date=19 March 2008}}</ref> The parliament was dissolved again in 2009 due to corruption allegations. Four women MPs – Kuwait's first – won seats in the ].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/18/world/middleeast/18kuwait.html?ref=middleeast|work=The New York Times|title=First Women Win Seats in Kuwait Parliament | first=Robert F. | last=Worth | date=2009-05-18 | accessdate=2013-07-30}}</ref>

In 2011–2012 there were ] inspired by the ]. The parliament was dissolved in December 2011 due to protests against the parliament. The prime minister stepped down following protests and allegations of high-level corruption. In ], the opposition won a majority. In October 2012, the Emir dissolved the parliament, paving the way for snap elections. The ] were boycotted by the opposition protesting against proposed changes to the electoral law which would give official candidates an advantage.


== Geography == == Geography ==

Revision as of 11:53, 8 November 2013

This article is about the modern country in the Persian Gulf. For the former autonomous state in southern Arabia, see Qu'aiti.

State of Kuwaitدولة الكويت
Dawlat al-Kuwait
Flag of Kuwait Flag Emblem of Kuwait Emblem
Anthem: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani"
"National Anthem"
File:Kuwait.ogg
Location and extent of Kuwait (red) on the Arabian Peninsula.Location and extent of Kuwait (red) on the Arabian Peninsula.
Capitaland largest cityKuwait City
Official languagesArabic
Ethnic groups
Demonym(s)Kuwaiti
GovernmentUnitary hereditary
constitutional monarchy
• Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
• Prime Minister Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah
LegislatureNational Assembly
Establishment
Area
• Total17,820 km (6,880 sq mi) (157th)
• Water (%)negligible
Population
• 2013 estimate2,695,316 (140th)
• 2005 census2,213,403
• Density200.2/km (518.5/sq mi) (61st)
GDP (PPP)2011 estimate
• Total$163.671 billion (58th)
• Per capita$58,080 (5th)
GDP (nominal)2012 estimate
• Total$173.240 billion (52nd)
• Per capita$45,824 (8th)
HDI (2013)Increase 0.790
high (54th)
CurrencyKuwaiti dinar (KWD)
Time zoneUTC+3 (AST / KSA)
• Summer (DST)UTC+3 (not observed)
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy (CE)
Drives onRight
Calling code+965
ISO 3166 codeKW
Internet TLD.kw
  1. Nominal succession within the House of Sabah.
  2. Emirate / princedom.

Template:Contains Arabic text

Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait /kuːˈweɪt/ (Template:Lang-ar Dawlat al-Kuwayt ), is an Arab country in Western Asia. Situated in the northeastern edge of the Arabian peninsula at the tip of the Persian Gulf, it shares borders with Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. The name "Kuwait" is the diminutive of Arabic كوت kūt, meaning "fortress". The country covers an area of 17,820 square kilometers (6,880 square miles) and has a population of 2.6 million as of 2012.

Historically, the region was the site of the kingdom of Characene, of which the capital city, Charax Spasinu, was a major Parthian port for trade between Mesopotamia and India. By the 19th century, Kuwait came under the influence of the Ottoman Empire. 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 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. Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt. Twelve years later, Kuwait saw another massive foreign military presence as it served as a springboard for the U.S.-led campaign in 2003 to oust Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Kuwait City serves as the country's political and economic capital. Kuwait is often described as the most liberal country in the region. The country has the world's fifth largest oil reserves and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues and 80% of government income. Kuwait is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. 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.

History

Main article: History of Kuwait

كله طيز.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Kuwait
Satellite image 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. It has nine islands, all of which, with the exception of Failaka Island, are uninhabited. With an area of 860 km (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. The land area is considered arable and sparse vegetation is found along its 499 km long coastline. 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 (1.1×10 m) 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 km (13.8 sq mi). 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. The oil spills during the Gulf War also drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.

Climate

Main article: Climate of Kuwait

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. The temperature in Kuwait during summer is above 25 (77 F). The highest recorded temperature was 54.4 (129.9 F) which is the highest of any Middle Eastern country.

Climate data for Kuwait City
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.5
(67.1) 		21.8
(71.2) 		26.9
(80.4) 		33.9
(93.0) 		40.9
(105.6) 		45.5
(113.9) 		46.7
(116.1) 		46.9
(116.4) 		43.7
(110.7) 		36.6
(97.9) 		27.8
(82.0) 		21.9
(71.4) 		34.3
(93.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 8.5
(47.3) 		10
(50) 		14
(57) 		19.5
(67.1) 		25.4
(77.7) 		28.9
(84.0) 		30.7
(87.3) 		29.5
(85.1) 		26.2
(79.2) 		21.5
(70.7) 		14.5
(58.1) 		9.9
(49.8) 		19.9
(67.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 30.2
(1.19) 		10.5
(0.41) 		18.2
(0.72) 		11.5
(0.45) 		0.4
(0.02) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		1.4
(0.06) 		18.5
(0.73) 		25.5
(1.00) 		116.2
(4.58)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5 3 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 3 22
Mean monthly sunshine hours 198.4 223.2 217 228 272.8 303 306.9 300.7 285 251.1 216 192.2 2,994.3
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization
Source 2: Hong Kong Observatory

Politics

Main articles: Politics of Kuwait and Human rights in Kuwait See also: Al-Sabah, Elections in Kuwait, and Political Issues in Kuwait
United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Martin Dempsey, with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah in 2011.
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. 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. The Al Sabah family has been Kuwait's monarchy since 1938, before 1938 Kuwait's local merchants enjoyed a supremacy over the Al Sabah family.

Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly parliament and the Emir in accordance with the Constitution. The appointment of a new Emir needs the approval of the Kuwaiti parliament (per article 3 of the Constitution), therefore the parliament has the authority to remove an Emir from his post. The parliament effectively removed Saad al-Sabah from his post in 2006 due to his illness. Kuwait's judiciary system is independent from government influence and is often viewed as the most independent judiciary system in the Arab world. The judicially independent Constitutional Court and the Emir both have the authority to dissolve the National Assembly but must subsequently call a national election.

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 Al-Sabah monarchy has to be approved by the National Assembly. 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.

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. Approximately half of those who reside in Kuwait do not hold Kuwaiti citizenship and thus cannot vote in parliamentary elections.

When voting was first introduced in Kuwait in 1985, Kuwaiti women had the right to vote. Moves to change the male-dominated political structure culminated in the re-granting of full political rights to women in 2005. In May 2005, the Parliament decided by a 35–15 vote to give women the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections. 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 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. During the 2008 parliamentary elections, 27 of the 275 candidates were women. However, none of them won. In the parliamentary elections in May 2009, four female candidates won their seats and became Kuwait's first female lawmakers.

More generally, the growing assertiveness of parliament has led to frequent confrontations with the government. The Assembly was dissolved again by the Emir in May 2009, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah and the rest of the Cabinet. Nationwide elections were held on 16 May 2009.

In April 2010, Kuwait's government deported 17 Egyptians for trying to organize a local chapter of Mohamed ElBaradei's National Association for Change in Kuwait.

After opposition candidates made major gains in the elections of February 2012, the Constitutional Court annulled the elections and later the Emir made changes to the election law, changing the number for votes given from a person from four to one. This prompted a largely opposition boycott of the new elections in December 2012.

Kuwait follows the civil law system based on French and Egyptian models. Kuwait's legal system is a mix of British common law, French civil law, Egyptian civil law and Islamic law. Kuwaiti courts are competent to hear all disputes concerning personal status, and civil, criminal and commercial matters. For the application of personal status laws, there are three separate sections: Sunni, Shia and non-Muslim.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Kuwait
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 Organisation 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 Arab-Iran conflict. After the Iranian revolution of 1979, Kuwait began supporting the Arab regime of Iraq's Saddam Hussein in its subsequent eight-year war with the hardline 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.

Kuwait and Iran have full diplomatic and trade relations although there was tension during the Iran-Iraq war. 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.

Military

Main article: Military of Kuwait

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.

Governorates

Main article: Governorates of Kuwait
Kuwait City as seen from Shuwaikh

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

No. Subdivision Capital Area
km² 		Population
Census
of 2005
1 Al Jahra Al Jahra 12 130 272 373
2 Al Asimah (Al Kuwayt) Al Kuwait 200 261 013
3 Al Farwaniyah Al Farwaniyah 190 622 123
4 Hawalli Hawalli District 84 487 514
5 Mubarak Al-Kabeer Mubarak Al-Kabeer 94 176 519
6 Al Ahmadi Al Ahmadi 5 120 393 861
TOTAL 17 818 2 213 403

Economy

Main article: Economy of Kuwait
Graphical depiction of Kuwait's product exports in 28 color-coded categories.

Kuwait has a GDP (PPP) of US$167.9 billion and a per capita income of US$81,800, making it the 5th richest country in the world, per capita. In 2011, estimated exports stood at US$94.47 billion and imports were around US$22.41 billion. 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. Japan is the largest customer of Kuwaiti oil followed by India, Singapore and South Korea.

According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the Middle East. In March 2007, Kuwait's foreign exchange reserves stood at US$213 billion. 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. In 2007, the Kuwaiti government posted a budget surplus of US$43 billion.

Non-petroleum industries include shipping, construction, cement, water desalination, construction materials and financial services. Kuwait has a well developed banking system. The National Bank of Kuwait is the largest bank in the country and one of the largest in the Arab world. 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.

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. 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.

Petroleum industry

Main article: Petroleum industry in Kuwait
An oil refinery in Mina-Al-Ahmadi, Kuwait

Kuwait has proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels (15 km³), 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. Being a tax-free country, Kuwait's oil industry accounts for 75% of government revenue. Petroleum and petrochemicals accounts for 43% of GDP and 90% of export revenues. Increase in oil prices since 2003 resulted in a surge in Kuwait's economy.

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. Kuwait oil production is expected to increase to 4 million bpd by 2020. 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. However, the country's economy was badly affected by the global financial crisis of 2008. In 2009, the Central Bank of Kuwait devised a US$5.15 billion stimulus package to help boost the economy.

Transportation

Main article: Transport in Kuwait
A highway in Kuwait City.

Kuwait has an extensive, modern and well-maintained network of highways. Roadways extended 5,749 km, of which 4,887 km is paved. In 2000, there were some 552,400 passenger cars, and 167,800 commercial taxis, trucks, and buses in use. On major highways the maximum speed is 120 km/h. Since there is no railway system in the country, most of the people travel by automobiles. The government plans to construct US$11 billion rail network which will include the Kuwait Metropolitan Rapid Transit System Project for its capital. Bus services are provided by private company Citybus and state-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Corporation.

Kuwait has speed cameras in all highways and main roads and traffic lights, which captures the cars that speed or cross a red light, the Kuwaiti government spent over US$450 million on these speed cameras in cooperation with the traffic police. There is only one civil airport in Kuwait. Kuwait International Airport serves as the principal hub for international air travel. State-owned Kuwait Airways is the largest airline in the country. In 2001, the airline carried 2,084,600 passengers on domestic and international flights. In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, Jazeera Airways, was launched. Another private airline, Wataniya Airways of Kuwait was founded in 2005 and ceased operations in March 2011.

Kuwait has one of the largest shipping industries in the Persian Gulf region. The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait. The country’s principal commercial seaports are Shuwaikh and Shuaiba which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006. Mina Al-Ahmadi, the largest port in the country, handles most of Kuwait's oil exports. Construction of another major port located in Bubiyan island started in 2005. The port is expected to handle 1.3 million TEU when operation starts in 2008.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Kuwait
Shoppers at "The Avenues", a local mall

As of 2013, Kuwait's population was estimated to be 2.7 million people, which included 1.3 million non-nationals. The government rarely grants citizenship to foreigners to maintain status quo. The net migration rate of the country stood at 16.01, the third highest in the world.

Ethnic groups

The Kuwaiti citizen population consists of two main ethnic groups, Arab and Persian. Kuwait's Sunni citizens are mostly of Arab origin from Najd and Iraq. Most of Kuwait's Shia citizens are Persians, and there are Kuwaiti Sunni families of Persian origin as well. There are also Kuwaiti families of Balochi origin.

80% of the population in Kuwait is Arab, 9% South and East Asian, and 4% are Iranian. In 2009, 580,000 Indian nationals were residing in Kuwait, making them the single largest expatriate community in 2009. In 2003, there were also an estimated 250,000 Pakistanis, 260,000 Egyptians, 100,000 Syrians and 80,000 Iranians in Kuwait. After the Gulf War, nearly 200,000 Palestinians living in Kuwait were expelled due to political reasons. In 2012, there were 80,000 Palestinians residing in Kuwait.

Languages

Kuwait's official language is Modern Standard Arabic. Kuwaiti Arabic, a Gulf Arabic sub-dialect, is Kuwait's colloquial dialect. English is widely understood and often used as a business language. A dialect of Persian known as "Eimi" is spoken by Kuwaitis of Persian origin.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Kuwait
File:12306354.jpg
Mosque in Kuwait

The majority of Kuwait's citizen population is Muslim; there are no official figures, but it is estimated that 60–70% are Sunni and 30–40% are Shias. The majority of the Shi'as follow the Twelvers school. Kuwait has a native Christian community that is estimated to number 200 individuals. Expatriate Christians make up the majority of Christians in Kuwait, while Kuwaiti Christians make up a smaller community. There is also a small number of Bahá'í Kuwaiti citizens. Despite Islam being the state religion, the country also has a large community of expatriate Hindus (est. 600,000), Christians (est. 450,000), Buddhists (est. 100,000), and Sikhs (est. 10,000).

Christians who belong to groups recognised by the government are allowed to build places of worship, although there are restrictions; Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists are not. The government imposes quotas on the number of clergy and staff recognised religious groups can bring into the country. Members of unrecognised congregations reported that they were able to worship without government interference provided they did not disturb their neighbors or violate laws regarding assembly and proselytizing.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Kuwait See also: Music of Kuwait, Cinema of Kuwait, and Kuwaiti cuisine
MarineTime Museum in Kuwait City.
File:Kuweit-towers.JPG
Kuwait Towers, one of the country's most famous landmarks.

The influence of Islamic and Arab Culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle is prominent as well. The most distinctive characteristic of local Kuwaiti culture are diwaniya, which involve large reception rooms used for male social gatherings attended mostly by family members and close friends.

Seafood has been the mainstay of the Kuwaiti diet for centuries. The Arabs in the Persian Gulf region played a crucial role in the spice trade between India and Europe and spices have remained an important ingredient of Kuwaiti cuisine. Traditional Kuwaiti cuisine includes machboos diyay, machboos laham, and maraq diyay laham, which borrow heavily from South Asian cuisine and Arab cuisine. Imawash is another popular dish. As in other Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Kuwait takes part in the tradition of Qarqe'an during the month of Ramadan. About 74.2% of adults aged 15 and over are overweight in Kuwait, making the country the eighth fattest in the world.

Before the discovery of oil, pearling formed a crucial part of Kuwait's economy. Pearl fishery, known as ghaus, suffered decline after the advent of Japanese pearl farming. However, Kuwait's pearl industry laid the foundation of its rich maritime history. Dhows, large wooden ships made from teak wood imported from India, became an indistinct part of Kuwait's maritime fleet and dhow building is still practiced in this Persian Gulf state.

Kuwait's architecture is largely inspired by Islamic architecture. The most prominent landmark in country, the Kuwait Towers, were designed by Swedish architect Sune Lindström and are a unique blend of traditional minaret and modern architectural designs. The National Assembly of Kuwait, another famous landmark building, was designed by the famous Danish architect Jørn Utzon and completed in 1982.

Sawt is the most prominent style of Kuwaiti music and is performed by oud (plucked lute) and mirwas (a drum), with a violin later supplementing the arrangement. The Bedouins are known for an instrument called the rubabah, while the use of oud, tanbarah (string instrument) and habban (bagpipe) are also widespread.

Dress

The traditional attire for men is the dishdasha, an ankle-length garment woven from wool or cotton. This attire is particularly well-suited for Kuwait's hot and dry climate. The traditional male headdress involves the ghutrah headscarf and the agal circlet, often with a gahfiah skullcap underneath to help keep the headscarf in place. The ghutrah is a square scarf made from cotton; it may be worn differently according to the situation, but most commonly it is folded into a triangle and placed centrally on the head so that the ends hang down equally over the shoulders. The agal is a double circlet of black cord, worn on the ghutrah to hold it in place.

Women sometimes wear the aba, a black cloak covering most parts of the body, over a dress; the traditional floor-length daraa’ or the more festive thobe. A hejab headscarf is worn with this, with some adding a bushiya face veil or instead wearing the face-veil portion of the burqa.

Western style clothing is very popular among the youth of Kuwait.

Media

Kuwait has one of the most vocal and transparent media in the Middle East. In 2007, Kuwait was ranked first in the Middle East and the Arab League by Reporters Without Borders in the freedom of press index. Though the government funds several leading newspapers and satellite channels, Kuwaiti journalists enjoy greater freedom than their regional counterparts. The state-owned Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) is the largest media house in the country. The Ministry of Information regulates media and communication industry in Kuwait. In 2013, Kuwait was named the 77th freest country by Reporters Without Borders in the Press Freedom Index list out of 179 countries, making Kuwait the freest in freedom of press in the Middle East region.

In 1998, there were 15 media stations, which are 6 am and 11 FM radio stations and 13 television stations. In 2000, there were 624 radios and 486 television sets for every 1,000 people. In 2011, there were 514,700 land telephone line and 4.935 million mobile telephone subscribers. In 2009, there were 1.1 million Internet subscribers served by three service providers. Kuwait has ten satellite television channels of which four are controlled by the Ministry of Information. State-owned Kuwait Television (KTV) offered first colored broadcast in 1974 and operates five television channels. Government-funded Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in four foreign languages including Arabic, Urdu, Tagalog and English on the AM and SW.

In 2009, Kuwait had seventeen newspaper companies in circulation. Kuwait is represented by three English dailies: Kuwait Times, Arab Times and Al-Watan Daily. There are 16 Arabic daily newspapers besides the English newspapers. A press law forbids insulting references to God and Islamic prophet Muhammad. Another law which made leading newspaper publishers eligible for hefty fines for criticizing the ruling family was lifted in 1992. Leading newspapers continue to impose self-restraint while remaining uncritical of the emir. However, no such restraint is observed while criticizing the government.

Celebrations

Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha are two of the major festivals in Kuwait. Each year, the people of Kuwait celebrate 25 and 26 February, as the national and liberation day, respectively. On 10 November 2012, Kuwait marked the golden jubilee of its constitution with a spectacular KD 4.06-million ($15-million) fireworks display, featuring 77,282 fireworks, which earned the state a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Education

Main article: Education in Kuwait

The adult literacy rate in 2008 was 93.9%. 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% 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% in 2005/12 which is well below the percentage of GDP spent by OECD countries on education.

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.

According to the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the top-ranking universities in the country are Kuwait University (1871th worldwide), the College of Technological Studies (3769th) and Arab Open University Kuwait (6725th).

See also

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