World Facts Index
Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence
in 1961. 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 liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil
infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.
Geography of Kuwait
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Location:
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Middle East, bordering the
Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia |
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Coordinates:
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29 30 N, 45 45 E |
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Area:
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total: 17,820 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 17,820 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
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slightly smaller than New
Jersey |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 462 km
border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km |
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Coastline:
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499 km |
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12
NM |
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Climate:
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dry desert; intensely hot
summers; short, cool winters |
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Terrain:
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flat to slightly undulating
desert plain |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, fish, shrimp,
natural gas |
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Natural hazards:
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sudden cloudbursts are
common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage
roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year,
but are most common between March and August |
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Environment current issues:
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limited natural fresh water
resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination
facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution;
desertification |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location at head
of Persian Gulf
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Population of Kuwait
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Population:
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2,596,799
note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 26.9% (male 331,768/female 319,895)
15-64 years: 70.3% (male 1,085,721/female 613,746)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 42,460/female 24,803) |
|
Median age:
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25.9 years |
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Growth rate:
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3.52%
note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates |
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Infant mortality:
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9.71 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 77.2 years
male: 76.13 years
female: 78.31 years |
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Fertility rate:
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2.91 children born/woman |
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Nationality:
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noun: Kuwaiti(s)
adjective: Kuwaiti |
|
Ethnic groups:
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Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian
9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% |
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Religions:
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Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%),
Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% |
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Languages:
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Arabic (official), English widely spoken |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write
total population: 83.5%
male: 85.1%
female: 81.7%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: State of
Kuwait
local short form: Al Kuwayt
local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt |
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Government type:
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nominal constitutional monarchy |
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Capital:
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Kuwait |
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Administrative divisions:
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5 governorates (muhafazat, singular -
muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli |
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Independence:
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19 June 1961 (from UK) |
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National holiday:
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National Day, 25 February (1950) |
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Constitution:
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approved and promulgated 11 November 1962 |
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Legal system:
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civil law system with Islamic law
significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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adult males who are not in the military forces, and adult
females (as of 16 May 2005); all voters must have been citizens for 20 years. |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir
al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah
head of government: Prime Minister NASIR MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 3
April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah (since
9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah
(since 9 February 2006) and Faysal al-HAJJI (since 5 April 2007)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by
the Amir
elections: none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister
and deputy prime ministers |
|
Legislative branch:
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unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats;
members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly |
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Judicial branch:
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High Court of Appeal |
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Political parties and leaders:
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none; formation of political parties is
illegal |
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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a number of political groups act as de facto parties;
several legislative blocs operate in the National Assembly: tribal groups, merchants,
Shi'a activists, Islamists, and secular liberals. |
Economy
Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with self-reported crude
oil reserves of about 104 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum
accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government
income. High oil prices in recent years have helped build Kuwait's budget and
trade surpluses and foreign reserves. As a result of this positive fiscal
situation, the need for economic reforms is less urgent and the government has
not earnestly pushed through new initiatives. Despite its vast oil reserves,
Kuwait experienced power outages during the summer months in 2006 and 2007
because demand exceeded power generating capacity. Power outages are likely to
worsen, given its high population growth rates, unless the government can
increase generating capacity. In May 2007 Kuwait changed its currency peg from
the US dollar to a basket of currencies in order to curb inflation and to
reduce its vulnerability to external shocks.
|
GDP:
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$140 billion (2007 est.) |
|
GDP growth rate:
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4.8% |
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GDP per capita:
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$19,200 |
|
GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 47.9%
services: 51.6% |
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Inflation rate:
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4.1% |
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Labor force:
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1.67 million
note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 80% of the labor force |
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Unemployment:
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2.2% |
|
Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% |
|
Industries:
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petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination,
food processing, construction materials |
|
Agriculture:
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practically no crops; fish |
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Exports:
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oil and refined products, fertilizers |
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Export partners:
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Japan 21.2%, South Korea 13.4%, US 12.8%, Singapore 10.2%,
Taiwan 9.7%, Netherlands 4.7% |
|
Imports:
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food, construction materials, vehicles and
parts, clothing |
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Import partners:
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US 14.2%, Germany 11.3%, Japan 8.5%, UK 6%, Saudi Arabia
5%, France 4.9%, China 4.5% |
|
Currency:
|
Kuwaiti dinar (KD) |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |