Kuwait is a country in the Middle East. It is located at the head of the Persian Gulf, with Iraq to the north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the southwest.
Regions
Al AhmadiAl FarwaniyahAl 'AsimahAl Jahra'HawalliMubarak Al KabeerCities
Kuwait - the capitalUnderstand
Kuwait City is a bustling metropolis of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, wide boulevards and well-tended parks and gardens. Its seaport is used by oil tankers, cargo ships and many pleasure craft.
Its most dominant landmark is Kuwait Towers, and its oldest is Seif Palace, built in 1896, the interior of which features original Islamic mosaic tilework, though these suffered badly during the Iraqi occupation. The Kuwait National Museum was also stripped of many artefacts – part of it has been renovated and is now open to the public for display.
The Sadu House, near the museum, is made of coral and gypsum and is used as a cultural museum to protect the arts and crafts of Bedouin society. It is an ideal place to purchase Bedouin goods. The huge Grand Mosque in the centre is also worth visiting.
Liberation Tower, the symbol of Kuwaiti liberation, is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. Visitors can travel 150m (492ft) up to the revolving obervation tower and restaurant.
• A port with many old dhows, Failakai Island can be reached by regular ferry services. There are also some Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites well worth viewing, including the island's Greek temple. Traditional-style boums and sambuks (boats) are still built in Al Jahrah, although, nowadays, vessels are destined to work as pleasure boats rather than pearl fishing or trading vessels. Mina Al Ahmadi, lying 19km (12 miles) south of Kuwait City, is an oil port with immense jetties for supertanker traffic. The Oil Display Centre pays homage to the work of the Kuwait Oil Company.
The scientific center offers many types of sea species to view• Many of Kuwait's sea clubs ofer a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gymnasiums, bowling and even karate.
• Sailing and scuba diving are available. Powerboating is a Kuwaiti passion. Horse riding clubs flourish in the winter.
Tourist Information
Touristic Enterprises Company of Kuwait
PO Box 23310, Safat 13094, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: 565 3771 or 2775.
Website: www.kuwaittourism.com
HistoryThe Kuwaitis trace their roots to the Al-Anisa and the Al-Utub tribe from the Najd province, in modern Saudi Arabia. They moved to Qatar and then to Al-Qurain (derived from Koot, the Arabic word for fortress), which is in modern day Kuwait bay around 1710. By 1752, the long term residents of Al-Qurain decided that the instability of the region, caused by warring tribes, called for the establishment of a stable government. The Al-Sabah tribe was chosen to rule, and the first Sheikh was Sabah ibn Jaber, who ruled as Sabah I, from 1752 to 1756. The Sabah's were skillful diplomats, and weathered out religious and tribal strifes successfully. They dealt with the Ottomans, the Egyptians and the Europeans. Mubarak I signed an agreement with the British making Kuwait a British Protectorate in 1899. The British were in Kuwait for quite a while by then, and as early as the 1770's Abdullah I had a contract with the British to deliver mail for them up to Allepo in Syria. The agreement gave the British control of the Kuwaiti foreign policy in exchange for military protection. In the 20's and the 30's, the chief source of revenue was pearls. But around that time the Japanese started flooding the international market with cultured pearls and this source of income was in decline. In 1938, oil was first struck at the Burgan oil field in Kuwait, and by 1946, they started exporting it. In 1961, Kuwait nullified the treaty of 1899, and became an independent nation. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days; Febuary 26 is celebrated as Liberation Day. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. It is currently ruled by Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad AL Jaber Al Sabah after the demise of Sheikh Jaber al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah in January 2006.
ClimateDry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters.
Natural hazards : sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring heavy rain which can, in some rare cases, damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August.
TerrainFlat to slightly undulating desert plain. Highest point: 306 meters.
Get in
Most western citizens can get a visa at Kuwait airport, but it would be advised that you contact the Kuwait Embassy in your home country to find out more information.
Please note, Israeli citizens are banned by the Kuwait government from entering the country.
By planeKuwait International Airport is served by several airlines, mostly flying within the Middle East. The national airline, Kuwait Airways, serves New York City via London, as well as several European and Asian destinations. United Airlines offers nonstop service to Washington, DC.
By trainKuwait has no railway system.
By carKuwait shares its borders with only 2 nations - Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The
political situation in Iraq is volatile currently, so it's advisable not to
use that route.
By busKuwait Transport Company operates a nationwide service which is both reliable and inexpensive and there is the city bus which is a private company and offers better buses.
By boatConsulting a travel agent is recommended if you want to go by boat to or from Kuwait. Scheduled ferries to and from Iran are handled by Kuwait-Iran Shipping Company, phone +965 2410498, fax +965 2429508. The ferries go three times a week from Ash Shuwayk in Kuwait to Bushehr in Iran. One-way tickets from KD37.
Speedboats also go between Ash Shuwayk and Manama in Bahrain. A ticket is KD45.
Ports and harbors:
Ash Shu'aybahAsh ShuwaykhKuwait CityMina' 'Abd AllahMina' al AhmadiMina' Su'udGet around
Kuwait has a good road system. All signs are in English and Arabic.
Taxi: These are recognisable by red licence plates and may be hired by the day, in which case fares should be agreed beforehand. Share-taxis are also available. Hailing taxis from the road is not advisable, particularly for females. It is recommended that taxis are booked in advance by telephone from a reputable taxi company. A standard rate is applicable in most taxis, but those at hotel ranks are more expensive. Tipping is not expected.
Car hire: Self-drive is available. If you produce an International Driving Permit, the rental company will, within five days, grant a temporary local licence valid for one month. However, it should be noted that driving in Kuwait, especially when new to driving in the country, can be extremely chaotic and frightening.
Talk
Arabic (official), English widely spoken.
Buy
The national currency is the Kuwaiti
dinar. There are 3.45781 US dollars in 1 dinar (08 October 2006). Notes are in denominations of KWD20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 and 250 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils.
Credit / Debit Cards and ATMs/American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.
Travellers Cheque Advice Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Kuwait is a tax free country. Custom-made items, imported items, and shipping out of the country can be expensive, so shop wisely.
Western style shopping centres: Souk Sharq (Kuwait City) and Marina Mall (Salmia) are both on the coastal Gulf Road and offer excellent shopping. Another shopping centre is "Al-Kout" (Fahaheel) it has several beautiful coffee shops and many other outlets. "Araya Mall" (Sharg) and Al-Salhiya Mall (Sharg) offers high-price designer brands.Traditional markets: A famous destination is the Souk Al Mubarakiya in the heart of downtown. Middle Eastern and Oriental items abound as well as a gold and jewellery market. Souk Al-Juma'a is a Friday market with very low-priced mass-produced goods. The Mahameed markets in Behbahani complex have similar selection and pricing as well.A more Oriental atmosphere can be found on the other side of town also in a western-style mall called Souk Al-Watiya or Al-Watiya Complex, located beside the Sheraton Hotel and 4 Point Sheraton. This place is also called the Adidas Building by local Filipinos. Situated close to churches the whole area can look like a mini India Town and Filipino Town during Friday and Sunday. Many restaurants also serving either fast food or oriental traditional foods. This is also a good place to buy any gold or jewelry.Eat
Italian: Nino's is located on the gulf road and ricardo which is in the sheraton are considered the 2 best italina restaurants in kuwait and there is a coffe shop that serves amazing italian food which is called Lorenzon and its located next to the church in sharg. Pomodoro which is in Sharg also serves good italian food.
Indian: Mugal Mahal(sharg), Bukhara (sheraton hotel), Silk and Spice (Al Kout Mall,Fahaheel), Asha's (Marina crescent)
Lebanese: Villa Fayrouz (Sha'ab), Mejana (Al Kout Mall, Fahahel), Mais Al-Ghanim (Gulf Road), Tarboosh(Sheraton Hotel.
Persian: Shahrayar (Sheraton Hotel), Shabestan (Crowne Plaza Hotel), Baba Taher ( Sharq)
Kuwaiti: AL-Marsa which is located in the Ritz Hotel on the gulf road, highly recommended if you want to try local cuisine.
American: Johnny Rockets( Marina Mall, Kout Mall), Chilis and Fridays both located on the gulf road
Japanese: Kie ( Marriot Hotel or Marina Mall), Maki ( Marina Waves, Edo (Shaeb) Sakura (Crown plaze hotel or Layla Gallery) all four are highly recommended.
Chinese: Greens ( Gulf road), Golden chopsticks (Sha'ab), Peacok(Radisson Sas Hotel).
Burgers: Burger boutique (Araya mall), Burger hub(gulf road infront of the Al Seif palace), burger gourmet (marina mall). Burger Co. (Hawali infron of muhalab Mall)
Drink
Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait. Drinking fountains can be found in many street corners throughout Kuwait, which provide free, fresh water.Sleep
Western chains are prevalent in Kuwait, with JW Marriott and Sheraton as the largest five star hotels in the downtown business district. Additional resort hotels are located on the coast.
A Four Seasons hotel is currently being constructed in Kuwait.
Work
IO Centers (formerly Gulf Business Centre) is the only premium serviced office provider in the country. They offer flexible terms and all business related services and are located in two locatoins: on the 28th and 29th floors of the Arraya Center in the same tower as the Marriott Courtyard hotel and in the new Dar Alawadi Center. http://www.iocenters.com/
Stay safe
Kuwait is a very safe place and one would have to try very hard to get hurt. It is generally recommended to respect the dominant religion (Islam) and local customs; women should wear decent modest clothing at all times to avoid suspicious looks and lewd comments. Many Kuwaiti drivers are extremely reckless.
Stay healthy
Public health is entirely supported by the government at local clinics and hospitals, with a 5KD fee paid by foreigners visiting Kuwait and 3KD for locals. Private non-governmental clinics are available as well, but charge much more at 30KD.
The
State of Kuwait (
الكويت ) is a small constitutional monarchy country on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning "fortress built near water."
History
Modern Kuwait was gradually formed during the course of the eighteenth century (AD). It was unofficially established in the eighteenth century after being recognized by some European navigators. The country was formed when several clans from different Middle Eastern tribes settled near the area now known as the "Kuwait Bay". The word Kuwait came from the small Kout (or castle) of Bin eree'er who was the prince of bani Khaled tribe. Tribes came mainly from central Arabia (specifically the region of Nejd), and northern Arabia. Today, Nejd is part of Saudi Arabia, while northern Arabia is divided between the modern states of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Iraq. However, some clans also came from other parts of the region, including Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, to name a few.
The current rulers of the country (the Al-Sabah family) are descended from Sabah I, who was chosen by the community, which was composed mainly of traders. The duties of the rulers include administering the affairs of the State, including foreign affairs and taxation/duties. However, the ruler/Emir has little political role in modern governments due to the influence of State Prime ministers.
The Al-Sabah family was chosen by the people of Kuwait. This process is known as "mubaya'a", which means "to give one's self" in Arabic. Before the Kuwaiti constitution was drafted, the Al-Sabah family ruled Kuwait in practice (de facto). Anyone else had the ability to be appointed as ruler of Kuwait, as long as the majority of citizens wanted them.
The area that is now Kuwait was occupied by tribes and used for spice trading from India. By the eighteenth century, most of the local people made a living selling pearls. But as pearl farming developed in Japan during the 1930s, the Kuwaiti market diminished.
During the 18th Century, Qurain "Old name of Kuwait" was protected by Bani Khaled Tribe.
In the Anglo-Ottoman Convention of 1913, the British concurred with the Ottoman Empire in defining Kuwait as an "autonomous caza" of the Ottoman Empire and that the Shaikhs of Kuwait were not independent leaders, but rather qaimmaqams (provincial sub-governors) of the Ottoman government. After World War I, the Ottoman Empire was financially crippled and the invading British forces invalidated the Anglo-Ottoman Convention, declaring Kuwait to be an "independent sheikhdom under British protectorate."
Oil later transformed Kuwait into one of the richest countries in the Arab peninsula and in 1953 the country became the largest exporter of oil in the Persian Gulf. This massive growth attracted many immigrant labourers and foreign workers. Having amassed great wealth, Kuwait was the first of the Persian Gulf Arab states to achieve independence, on June 19, 1961. Its independence was challenged by Iraq which claimed that Kuwait was an integral part of Iraqi territory. It threatened to invade Kuwait but was deterred by the British, who flew in troops, and the Arab League. In October 1963 Iraq recognized Kuwait's independence and its borders.
An important period in Kuwait's political, social and economic development was the Souk Al-Manakh stock market crash of 1982. This was a major crash that had widespread consequences and has endured in the public memory even decades later.
After being allied with Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War until its end in 1988 (Kuwait paid Iraq to protect it from what it perceived to be a threat posed by Iran), Kuwait was invaded and annexed by Iraq (under Saddam Hussein) on August 2, 1990. Hussein's primary justifications included a charge that Kuwaiti territory was in fact an Iraqi province, and that annexation was retaliation for the "economic warfare" that Kuwait (with the help of the United States of America) had waged through slant drilling into oil supplies under Iraqi territories. Hussein deposed the monarchy after the annexation and installed a new Kuwaiti governor. The new governor was Saddam Hussein's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali" for his role in gassing thousands of Kurdish civilians in Halabja in 1988.
Authorized by the UN Security Council, an American-led coalition of thirty-four nations fought the Persian Gulf War to remove Saddam's control from Kuwait. After six weeks of fierce fighting in early 1991, the coalition forced Iraq to withdraw its troops from Kuwait on February 26, 1991. During their retreat, the Iraqi armed forces carried out a scorched earth policy by setting fire to Kuwaiti oil wells or releasing oil from those wells into the Gulf. The fires took more than nine months to extinguish fully and the cost of repairs to the oil infrastructure exceeded $5.12 billion. Certain buildings and infrastructural facilities (including Kuwait International Airport) were also severely damaged during the war. Kuwait remains under the governance of the Emir, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jabir Al-Sabah (since 29 January, 2006) as an independent state and is of strategic importance to the United States.
The princes of Kuwait through History are as follows: Sabah I, Abdulla Alsabah, Jaber Al-Abdulla, Sabah AlJaber, Mubarak AlSabah, Jaber AlMubarak, Salem AlMubarak, Ahmed al jaber, Abdulla Alsalem, Sabah Alsalem, Jaber AL-Ahmed AlJaber, Saad Al-Abdulla, and Finally Sabah Al-Ahmad
Politics
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy and has the oldest directly elected parliament of the Persian Gulf Arab countries. Chief of state is the Amir, a hereditary title. The Amir also known as Sheikh 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 which must contain at least one of elected members of the parliament. The number of ministers must not exceed ⅓ of the elected members of the parliament.
The parliament has the power to dismiss the prime minister or anyone of his cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures. According to the constitution, nomination of a new crown prince or head of state (Emir) by the ruling family has to be confirmed by the National Assembly. If he does not win the votes of an absolute majority of the assembly, the Emir (or the royal family members) must submit the names of three candidates to the National Assembly, and the Assembly must select one of these to be the new crown prince. The parliament known as the Majlis Al-Umma (National Assembly), consists of fifty elected members, who are chosen in elections held every four years. Government ministers, according to the Constitution of the State, are given automatic membership in the parliament, and can number up to fifteen.
Prior to 2005 , only 15% of the Kuwaiti citizen population was allowed to vote, with all women, "recently naturalized" citizens (i.e. those of less than thirty years' citizenship), and members of the armed forces excluded. On May 16 2005, Parliament permitted women's suffrage by a 35-23 vote, subject to misconcepted Islamic law and effective for the 2006 Parliamentary Election. The decision could raise Kuwait's voter rolls from 139,000 to as many as 339,000 if all eligible women register; the total number of Kuwaitis is estimated at more than 960,000. Recently, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah announced the appointment of Dr Massouma Mubarak as planning minister and minister of state for administrative development affairs. The appointment of a woman as a cabinet minister was a major breakthrough in Kuwaiti political system and it makes Kuwait the third country in the conservative Persian Gulf Arab monarchies to have a woman cabinet minister. On the other hand, the government has managed to pass laws in the years 2005-2006 that restrict the freedom of speech. Laws such as the new media law, has become a huge obstacle for writers and citizens who might consider criticizing the government's performance. Lately there have been many newspaper writers sent to court for stating their opinions regarding the government or specific ministries' performance. A court order to shut down a leading Kuwaiti newspaper AlWatan for three days (first in Kuwait's history). Moreover a magazine editor was sent to jail for criticizing the government action towards a specific incident, which is also one of the first in Kuwait's history.
Geography and climate
Kuwait consists mostly of desert and little difference in altitude. It has nine islands, the largest one being Bubiyan, which is linked to the mainland by a concrete bridge. (Following Kuwait's liberation in 1991, the island was converted to a military base from which civilians are barred.) The islands are:
Kuwait enjoys a variable continental climate. Summers (April to October) are extremely hot and dry with temperatures exceeding 51°C (124°F) in Kuwait City several times during the hottest months of June, July and August. April and October are more moderate with temperatures over 40°C uncommon . Winters (November through February) are cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13°C (56°F) with extremes from -2°C to 27°C. The spring season (March) is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. Surface coastal water temperatures range from 15°C (59°F) in February to 35°C (95°F) in August.
The driest months are June through September, while the wettest are January through March. Thunderstorms and hailstorms are common in November, March and April when warm & moist Persian Gulf air collides with cold air masses from Europe. One such thunderstorm in November 1997 dumped over ten inches of rain on Kuwait.
Administrative divisions
Kuwait is divided into six governorates (
muhafazat, sing.
muhafadhah):
Al AhmadiAl FarwaniyahAl AsimahAl JahraHawalliMubarak Al-Kabeer The major cities are the capital Kuwait City and Jahrah (a thirty-minute drive northwest of Kuwait City). The main residential and business areas are Salmiya and Hawalli. The main industrial area is Shuwaikh within the Al Asimah Governorate. The main palace headquarter is located in Bayan, a wealthy suburb in Hawali governorate.
Economy
Kuwait, for the size of the country, is a rich and a relatively open economy with proven crude oil reserves of 96 billion barrels (15 km³), estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% 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 €1.7 billion ($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. By 1990, the country earned more from foreign investment than from oil exports. The expenses of the Iraqi invasion and postwar reconstruction placed a heavy economic burden on the country, but by the mid-1990s Kuwait had resumed its pre-invasion prosperity. Gross domestic product (GDP) for 2005 was $53.31 billion, giving Kuwait a per-capita GDP of $22,800. The labour force totals 2,335,648 people, of which only two-fifths are Kuwaiti national citizens. The Central Bank of Kuwait in the capital city issues Kuwait’s currency, the Kuwaiti dinar. The dinar is currently valued at 0.351676 KWD per 1EUR and at 0.292010 KWD per 1USD making it the highest valued currency unit in the world.
Oil industry
Since the government owns the oil industry, it controls most of the country's economy; in all, about 75 percent of the GDP. Kuwait’s oil exports vary depending on internal needs – almost all of Kuwait’s energy is derived from oil – and on international demand and prices and production quotas fixed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), of which Kuwait is a member. OPEC’s quotas, however, are difficult to enforce, and Kuwait and other countries have been accused of violating them. In 2002, oil production was 692 million barrels.
Kuwait's chief oil companies are:
; Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) : International marketing and mother company.
; Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) : Crude oil exploration and development company.
; Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) : Runs oil refineries across Kuwait.
; Petrochemicals Industries Company (PIC) : Petrochemical and fertilizer manufacturer.
; Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI, also known as "Q8") : Runs refining and marketing business overseas.
; Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) : International oil exploration company.
; EQUATE PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY (EQUATE) : A petrochemical company formed by PIC and Dow Chemical.
; Petroleum Training Centre (PTC) : Responsible for all training and career development within the KPC companies.
; Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) : Crude oil shipping
; Kuwait Aviation Fuelling Company (KAFCO) : Aircraft fuel
; Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (KGOC) : Oil and gas exploration and production in the Saudi-Kuwaiti neutral zone; joint venture with Saudi Arabia.
; Oil Sector Services Company (OSSC) : Handles all construction projects, maintenance, security, fire-fighting, and medical services to all oil sector employees and their families.
; Oil Development Company (ODC)
Demographics
Kuwait's current population is estimated to be roughly 3 to 3.5 million people, counting both locals and foreigners. Roughly 1 million (or nearly one third) of Kuwait's population is local, with the remainder registered as foreigners/non-locals. It is estimated that only one out of every three or four people in Kuwait have Kuwaiti citizenship.
The foreign population of Kuwait mainly consists of Egyptians followed by Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Filipinos and Sri Lankan residents. Other foreigners include Europeans, North American and Northeast Asian communities. Of Kuwait's citizen population, 60-65% are Arab , 30-35% are Persian, and 5-10% are designated as "others". "Others" mostly includes Africans, East Asians, or Europeans. The Kuwaiti government does not collect racial demographics in its census, and civil IDs have no form of racial or ethnic identitication.
Non-Arabs (Africans, Persians, East Asians, Europeans, other black or white populations) are generally socially-classed as "Ajam". "Ajam" is a term to describe a non-Arab. Most Ajam are of Persian ancestry, although the Persian population has been declining due to low birth rates, interracial marriages, and sudden influx of Arab populations into the country by naturalization. It is estimated that population percentage of Persians might decrease by 5-10% within the next decade.
Racism is very rare in Kuwait's society. The society is well built such that racism tends to exist in lower forms. However, religious prejudice does exist within the society.
Kuwaitis are predominantly Muslim, though there are a few Christians and Atheists. 65% of Kuwaiti Muslims are Sunni, with the rest 35% being Shiite muslims. Some other Muslim sects do exist in Kuwait's society, but in very small numbers. Most foreigners are either Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist.
Kuwait's official language is Arabic, though roughly half the country speaks the language primarily. Most foreigners speak Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, Filipino or Bengali. Some Kuwaitis are also bilingual.
Kuwait has numerous cases of illegal immigration. It is thought that there are at least 10-15,000 illegal immigrants in the country. These immigrants were not deported back to their homelands after their contracts expired. Instead, they remained in Kuwait living off the expense of other immigrants. The population of illegals is increasing by 5,000 individuals each year. It is a hard task deporting or catching the citizens. The last solution would be to naturalize them, but in this case it would affect the demographics of Kuwait significantly. Most illegals are of Bangladeshis or Pakistani decent.
Other population difficulties encountered in Kuwait involves stateless people who claim residency for Kuwait. Critics argue that these people migrated from Iraq and Saudi Arabia after the economic boom of Kuwait. Since Kuwait's standard of living increased, many have flocked to the country. Most stateless people are Arabs, and count up to 100,000 people. Some are slowly naturalized through different legislative processes, which is ultimately increasing the Arab population of Kuwaiti people. Most obtain nationality by marrying Kuwaiti women. 30-35% of stateless men in adulthood (capable of marital status) have married Kuwait women, and this number is rising.
Some encourage the assimilation of stateless and illegal people.
Kuwaitis are most importantly categorized by class of citizenship. Every Kuwait person's passport includes a class category for his residency. Kuwaitis are placed in the following: 1. First class; 2. Second class; 3. Third class citizenships.
The first class Kuwaitis were those who arrived to Kuwait before the 20th century (1900s), before the exploration of oil and during the time Kuwait was a poor country. Second class citizens arrived to Kuwait after the 20th century (1900) but before the economic boom of Kuwait during the 1960s. The 3rd class people are ones who entered Kuwait after 1960-1965...
First class citizens are, however, the minority group of all 3 distinct groups. They only contribute to 5-15% of the total population, and is ever so declining. The second class citizens make up the second least populous group. The most populous group are 3rd class citizens.
Infrastructure
Kuwait's infrastructure was severely damaged during the First Gulf War. Fleeing Iraqi soldiers were also ordered to set hundreds of oil wells on fire and the country's oil production had come to standstill. Much has changed since the end of the Gulf War. The Kuwaiti government has spent billions of dollars to construct an elaborate roadway system, and, the telecommunication industry achieved an incredible growth rate. Kuwait City boasts more than two dozen five-star hotels and resorts and several skyscrapers dominate the city's skyline. Kuwait Infrastructure Maintenance Management System overlooks the oil-rich country's infrastructure. Kuwait's energy sector is the main source for 47% of the country's annual income.
Kuwait has several major infrastructure projects planned, including one of the biggest sea front projects in the world, Madinat al-Hareer. If completed, this project would include the world's tallest tower, and, numerous housing, health, education, environmental, business, and tourism centres. Other major projects are the development of a deep-water port on the Bubiyan island, which could become a gateway for trade into Iraq and western Iran.
However, political tension between the National Assembly and the government has severely delayed and hampered the approval and development of most infrastructure projects.
Transportation
Kuwait’s transportation system is modern and efficient, with a road system that is well developed by regional standards. Roads total 4,450 kilometers (2,765 mi), of which 81% are paved and 350 kilometers (217 mi) are freeways. The network includes over 250 bridges. Most people travel by automobile.
There is no railway system in Kuwait, however the government announced plans to construct an underground metro in an effort to ease traffic congestion. An international airport is located in the southern outskirts of the Kuwait city metropolitan area. The government is working on plans to expand the airport, and, eventually increase it's capacity to 55 million passengers per annum. Kuwait Airways is the national airline, owned by the government. In 2004 Kuwait allowed the first privately owned airline, Jazeera Airways, to base itself in and operate out of the country. Jazeera Airways is a "no-frills" low cost carrier. Another private airline, Wataniya Airways, has been granted the license to operate. The country has three modern seaports, one of which specializes in oil exports. There are plans of another major to be built on the country's larger island; Bubiyan island.
Education
Oil revenues have allowed Kuwait to build an extensive educational system, yielding a literacy rate of 90 percent. There are a lot of private schools in Kuwait, including The New English School, which was the first private school to open in Kuwait. The Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School(Delhi Public School), Indian Community School, Al-Bayan Bilingual School, Carmel School, The British School of Kuwait, The Gulf English School, The American School of Kuwait, American International School, American Creativity Academy, The English School amongst several others. All private schools offer different and competitive programs, and whilst each school strives to be the best at private education, different parents and expatriates prefer different private schools naturally. Public schooling is free and compulsory from the age of 5 to 18, and several private schools also teach this age group. Kuwait University is Kuwait's only public university. The medical school, in particular, provides up-to-date training for students. Both the extensive library system at Kuwait University and the collection at Kuwait National Museum (1957) were heavily damaged and looted during the Iraqi occupation in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The up-to-date list of the private universities/colleges is:
AUK (American University of Kuwait),
GUST (Gulf University for Science and Technology),
ACK (Australian College of Kuwait), and
AOU (Arab Open University).
The Gulf University for Science and Technology is the first private university established in Kuwait in 2002. It currently has two campuses in Hawalli and will open its third soon in the same town where the Australian College of Kuwait is located. The American University of Kuwait and the Australian College of Kuwait both opened in 2004 and there are more universities and colleges to come in a few years.
Culture
MediaKuwait has ten TV channels (four controlled by the Ministry of Information); two modern English FM stations (mostly targeting Westerners residing in Kuwait, one playing current pop music while the other plays jazz and other light music); a few Arabic radio stations; Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in four foreign languages including Persian, Urdu, Tagalog and English on the AM and SW targeting listeners who speak these languages residing in Kuwait and abroad, five daily newspapers published in Arabic; and three daily newspapers published in English (including the
Arab Times,
Kuwait Times and The Daily Star). The newspapers exercise self-censorship. Although no newspaper is permitted to criticize the executive authority, the criticism of other members of the ruling family is permitted. All newspapers in Kuwait were established with a "Amiri decree". For the past thirty years there have been demands to allow the establishment of other newspapers, but with no response from government.
There is also one private radio station, Marina FM, named after the shopping complex "Marina Mall", which has gained notoriety all over the gulf countries for its flirtatious visitors.
External links
Official site of KuwaitBBC News Country Profile - KuwaitCIA World Factbook - Kuwait Kuwait Information GuideKuwaiti-Slovak Archaeological Mission (KSAM)EQUATE PETROCHEMICAL COMPANYAl-Diwan Al-Amiri (H.H. The Amir's Office), State of KuwaitKuwait Health - Promoting health reform
