Country data

Location: Middle East

Time zone: CET + 2 (during summer time: CET + 1)

Total area: 17,818 km²

Land area: 17,818 km²

Water area: 0 km²

Length of the state border: 462 km

Bordering countries:
Iraq: 240 km
Saudi Arabia: 222 km

Coastline: 499 km

Capital: Kuwait City

Governorates: 6
Al Ahmadi, Al ‘Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra’, Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir

Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 965 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: 306 m

Population

Population: approx. 2.7 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 1.7% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 152

Life expectancy: 76 (male), 79 (female)

Official language: Arabic

Religions:

• 77% Muslim
• 17% Christians
• 6% other

Climate

Kuwait has a severe desert climate.

Summer:

• May to early October
• very hot, with temperatures above 45 ° C
• frequent sandstorms
• low humidity
• no rains

Winter:

• Mid October to late April
• Daytime temperatures around 20 ° C
• Humidity around 70%
• occasional rain falls

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)

Division: 1 dinar = 1,000 fils

ATMs: Available in the major cities.

International credit cards: These are accepted in larger hotels and shops.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

A declaration is required from an equivalent value of over 3,000 KWD.

Iraqi and Israeli currencies are not allowed to be introduced.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free: 500 cigarettes or 900 g tobacco

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Alcohol, drugs, pornographic magazines, pork and some other foods are prohibited from entering Kuwait.

Travel advice

The security risk when traveling to Kuwait is very high. The border region with Iraq in particular should be avoided over a large area.

The border areas with Iraq are restricted military areas. This may only be entered with a special permit.

Behavioral advice

Photographing military facilities and people is prohibited.

There are still many minefields in the south of the country. Therefore, paved roads should never be left.

Kuwait is an Islamic country. You should take this into account when choosing your clothing.

Economy

Almost the entire economy is geared towards the export of oil. The resources still available are very large.

Other branches of industry do not play a significant role.

Industries: building materials, natural gas and oil extraction, food production

Natural resources: natural gas, oil, fish, shrimp

Land use:

• Usable land: 0%
• Grain cultivation: 0%
• Pasture area: 8%
• Forests: 0%
• other: 92%

Plants

Most of the green areas have been artificially created, with the date palm being the most common tree.

In the large desert areas there are only a few shrubs and bushes.

Animals

Due to the lack of living space, there are no wild animals in Kuwait. There are only a few farm animals and pets.