A Brief Description The small Middle East country of Kuwait, an independent Arab Emirate, holds 10 percent of the world's proven oil reserves. Its Arabic names means fort, and in essence that's exactly how it was formed, as it was once home to a small desert community until the Al-Sabah family took control, and literally built the first (fortified) settlement in the mid-1700s. It was then just a simple mud-walled city, dependent on regional trade with nearby countries and tribes, the pearl business, and on its productive fishing in the Persian Gulf. After decades of in-house family squabbles, and on-going disputes with the Ottoman Empire, Britain, in 1899, agreed to manage foreign relations and defense for the ruling Al-Sabah dynasty, and did so until the country gained independence in 1961. During the late 1940s, the extent of Kuwait's oil resources began to emerge and the long term potential of the petroleum industry was realized. On television, with the world watching, Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on August 2, 1990. Following weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on February 23, 1991, that liberated Kuwait in just four days. This small, oil-rich nation, has resumed a somewhat normal life since the costly Gulf War, however, in the volatile Middle East, controversy is often just around the corner. With a searing-hot climate and its dominate desert topography, Kuwait's agricultural development is very limited. Subsequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost completely on imported food. For more info on Kuwait, click here. An oasis in a sea of sand! Travel the World through Poster Art! Facts and Figures Name Kuwait (long form) State of Kuwait Population 2,335,600 Population & Density (all countries) here Capital City Kuwait City (169,000) Currency Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) Currency Converter here Languages Arabic (official), English Flag here National Day February 25 Religions Muslim (85%), Christian, others Geographic Coordinates Latitude/Longitude (Capital City) 29º 20' N, 48º 00' E Relative Location Kuwait is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia. The country is bordered by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran and the Persian Gulf. Land Statistics Coastline 310 miles (499 km) Land Areas (land) 6,880 sq miles (17,820sq km) (water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km) (TOTAL) 6,880 sq miles (17,820 sq km) Land Area (all countries) here Landforms Most of Kuwait is an entirely flat and dry barren desert of sandy plains. The land (desert) begins to rise slightly in the southwest, along the border with Saudi Arabia. There are no perennial lakes or rivers. Highest Point Unnamed hill - 1,003 ft. (306 m) Lowest Point Persian Gulf - (0 ft.) (0 m) Land Divisions 5 governorates, including: Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra' and Hawalli

Maps Kuwait (large color) Map here Kuwait Outline Map here Kuwait CIA version here Kuwait Maps at UT here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Asia Continent (printable) here Asia Outline Map here Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Indian Subcontinent Map here Middle East Landforms here Middle East Map here Middle East Outline Map here Middle East Rivers here Tsunami Map (December 2004) here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World Outline Maps (printable) here World Time Zone Map here Recommended Links Kuwait (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here! Kuwait Culture here Kuwait Information Office here Kuwait.Net here Kuwait Photos at TrekEarth.com here Time and Weather Time Zone (UTC +3) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details and additional info: here Climate Kuwait is hot and dry throughout most of the year, with very little rainfall. The brief winter months do bring some mild cooling. July, August and September are the hottest months with high temps averaging near 100º f. Winter lows seldom fall below 50º f. Kuwait City water towers! Travel the World through Poster Art! Traveler Info Attractions The clean and modern capital city of Kuwait City, Liberation Tower, Kuwait City Towers, Failaka Island and its Bronze Age history, the City of Entertainment (Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya), the National Museum and numerous other points-of-interest. Country Dialing Code 965 Electricity Kuwait uses 240 volts AC (50 Hz) Electrical adapters, products and tips here Travel Warnings here Visa Information here

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This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/kuwait.html