Kuwait – information about the country

Country name	Kuwait
Official name	State of Kuwait
Capital	Kuwait
Continent	Asia
Area	17,818 km2
Population	3,065,850 (2011)
Foundation of a state	6/19/1961
The highest mountains	Šakaja 290 m
State system	a constitutional monarchy without political parties with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Kuwait (capital) 150,000 (agglomeration 900,000), Havalí 140,000
Official language	Arabic
Ethnicity/National Composition	Kuwaiti Arabs 43.5%, other Arabs 51.5%, Asians 5%
Religious affiliation	Sunni Muslims 63%, Shia Muslims 27%, Christians 7%, Hindus 3%
Currency	1 Kuwaiti dinar (KWD) = 1000 fils
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$39,874 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	77.20 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 0.3%, mining and industry 14.5%, construction 3.2%, services 40%

Kuwait – Neighboring States

State	Capital	Area	Population
Iraq	Baghdad	438,317 km2	34,035,000
Saudi Arabia	Riyadh	2,149,690 km2	29,994,272

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, Kuwait is an independent Arab emirate at the northwestern tip of the Persian Gulf, wedged between Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the west and north. It also includes the large island of Búbijan and a number of smaller islands off the coast. It was occupied by Iraq in 1990 and regained sovereignty only after the war, which caused great economic and ecological damage.

Kuwait is an emirate in southwestern Asia. Common borders with Iraq – in the north, west, with Saudi Arabia – in the south. The capital is Kuwait City. The official language is Arabic.

Most of the territory is covered with deserts.

Kuwait is a coastal country of the Persian Gulf. The prevailing landscape is flat, the climate is tropical. There are hot summers with frequent droughts and warm winters, as well as sandstorms are not uncommon.

Resorts and attractions in Kuwait

When tourists have visited all the popular Arab countries, they begin to pay attention to the less popular ones. One such country is Kuwait. This is a small state with a calm tourist environment. Tours to Kuwait are an opportunity to visit ancient palaces, luxurious mosques, real Arab markets and, of course, look at the life of the locals.

Arabic in its traditions, Muslim in beliefs and religion, Kuwait offers its guests an out-of-the-ordinary experience. Thanks to the discovery of oil wells, this country is extremely far from the traditional poverty of the third world. This is a modern state in which there is a place for the ancient traditions and lifestyle of the Bedouin tribes.

Interesting Facts

Kuwait was founded in the 17th century by a group of clans from the Bedouin Anaza tribe.

In Kuwait, women have equal political rights with men.

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.