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| Kuwait Facts |
National name:- State of Kuwait
Emir:- H.H.Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Location: - The State of Kuwait covers an area of about 17,818 square kilometers of mostly flat desert in the North-Western corner of the Arabian Gulf. To the South and South-West Kuwait is bordered by Saudi Arabia, and to the North and North-West by Iraq. Across the Arabian Gulf to the East, Kuwait faces Iran. Kuwait's coastal waters cover around 5,625 square kilometers and its coastline stretches across 290 kilometers. Kuwait has sovereignty over nine islands in the Gulf, of which the largest are Failaka, Bubyan and Warba. Others, like Kubbar and Um Al Mara dim, are too small for habitation.
Climate: - Kuwait has a very hot and long summer, when maximum temperatures may reach around 50°C (120°F), but can occasionally go higher. In winter, temperatures may fall below zero in the desert. During March and April, and from October to December, the weather is pleasant with temperatures averaging 21°C. From June to September average temperatures go up to around 40–45°C. September is less hot, but can be very humid. The hot season also brings sand storms which can last for several days, and which usually occur during June and up to mid-July. Average annual rainfall is around 5 inches. This occurs usually during November to December and from February to May.
Language: - The official language of Kuwait is Arabic, though English is widely spoken and used in commercial circles. All correspondence with Government Ministries and bodies must be in Arabic.
Religion: - Kuwait's state religion is Islam and all Islamic feasts are observed; one of the most important of these being the holy month of Ramadan. During this period, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Official working hours are reduced, and consequently business activity tends to slacken somewhat.
Political Structure: - The constitution of Kuwait was adopted on 11 November 1962. It declares Kuwait to be a Sovereign, Islamic and Democratic State. Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with executive power residing in the Emir as Head of State and Commander in Chief. Kuwait has an elected National Assembly of 50 members supplemented by members of the Council of Ministers who attend exofficio. The assembly sits for four years. The first elections to the National Assembly were held in 1963. The prime responsibility accorded to the National Assembly is the drafting of laws.
The People: - The first settlements in Kuwait date back to very early times. A bronze age settlement has been discovered on Failaka island, and evidence exists in the form of tablets that, at a later stage, this settlement was visited by one of the Admirals of Alexander the Great. The origin of Kuwait's modern day indigenous population are tribes who moved from the South-West, the North and North-West starting more than 200 years ago. A thriving trading community grew up around the fishing and pearling harbor, so that Kuwait established itself as a main trading center in the region even before the advent of the oil age. Data published by the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) shows that Kuwait's total population stood at 2.48 million at the end of June 2003, an annualized increase of 2.2% compared to 1997. Only 37% of the population of Kuwait are Kuwaiti citizens. The remainder consist primarily of expatriate labourers from South Asia, Iran, the Philippines, Egypt and other parts of the Arab world. There are also significant numbers of people from North America, Europe, and Japan currently living in Kuwait.
The Infrastructure: - Kuwait has two modern commercial ports at Shuwaikh and Shuaiba which handle the bulk of its merchandise cargo traffic.
Industrial Areas: - There are a number of industrial areas in Kuwait. The largest of these are located in Shuwaikh, Shuaiba and Sabhan, with three other smaller areas in Sulaibikhat, Jahra and Ahmadi.
Currency: - The currency of Kuwait is the Kuwaiti Dinar, which is divided into 1000 fills (KD 1 = 1000 fills). Denominations of the currency notes are one-quarter, one half, one, five, ten and twenty dinars, while the coins are denominated at five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred fills.
Exchange Rate: - Since the start of 2003, the exchange value of the Kuwaiti Dinar has been officially pegged to the US dollar.
The Economy: - The Kuwaiti economy is oil based, so naturally variations in oil prices affect overall measures of productivity such as gross domestic product (GDP).
Money and Banking: - Kuwait currently has six commercial banks, two specialized banks, and one Islamic banking institution.
Taxation: - Taxation in Kuwait is governed by Amiri decree number 3/1955 and various tax treaties with other countries.
Custom Duties and Tariffs: - There are no custom duties on imports of food products, essential consumer goods and medicines.
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