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.


                                          National motto: None
                                       Official language  Arabic

                                       Capital            Kuwait
                                       Emir               Jabir Al Sabah
                                       Prime minister     Saad Al Sabah

                                       Area               Ranked 152nd
History                                Ê- Total           17,820 km2
                                       Ê- % water         Negligible
                                       Population         Ranked 141st
                                       Ê- Total (2001)    2,041,961
Kuwait has been a part of the Abbasid  Ê- Density         115/km2
empire from the 8th century, and was   Independence       June 19, 1961
later incorporated in the Ottoman
Empire (16th century), where it was    Currency           Dinar
eventually granted some degree of      Time zone          UTC +3
autonomy as a principality; the
current ruling family are descendants  National anthem    Al-Nasheed
from these princes.                                       Al-Watani
                                       Internet TLD       .KW
In 1899, growing British influence led Calling Code       965
to Kuwait becoming a British
protectorate. This status ended with 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.

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