The State of Kuwait (Arabic: دولة الكويت, dawlat al-kuwayt) is a sovereign Arab emirate bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. The greatest distance from north to south is 200 km (120 mi) and from east to west 170 km (110 mi). The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning "fortress built near water." It has a population of 2.889 million and an area of 18,098 km². Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government, with Kuwait City serving as the country's political and economic capital. Kuwait also includes several offshore islands, the largest of which is Bubiyan, near the Iraqi border.
In 1990, Kuwait was invaded and annexed by neighboring Iraq. The seven month-long Iraqi occupation came to an end after a direct military intervention by United States-led forces. Nearly 750 Kuwaiti oil wells were set ablaze by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe. Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt.
Kuwait has the world's fifth largest oil reserves and is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. Kuwait's oil fields were discovered and exploited in the 1930s. After it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, the nation's oil industry saw unprecedented growth. Petroleum and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait is regarded as the most developed country in the Arab League and a Major non-NATO ally of the United Kingdom and the United States.
West Asian countries. East of the Persian Gulf. Area 1 78 million square kilometers. Population 1.58 million (1995). Capital of Kuwait City. Dry and hot climate, desert widespread. Oil reserves accounted for in the world. Oil is the economic pillar. The world's major oil-exporting countries.
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Kuwait Folk Festivals
Kuwait Folk Festivals: National Day 25 February. Liberation Day February 26. Religious festivals: Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Assumption night, back to the calendar New Year's Day. Back to the calendar by the moon cycle count months. Young than the Gregorian calendar back to 10-11 days. Public Holidays: every Thursday and Friday for the weekend. Kuwait Shopping: Sahara Festival is an annual special shopping section of Kuwait, the country will be in the Sahara section of a one-month price promotions, all kinds of goods of about 50-70% reduction. Transportation Kuwait: Kuwait is a major port, international airport. Section country roads and highways throughout the country generally, developed traffic, Kuwait City, built from the inside out ring Highway 7, then the extension number to the radial roads, the formation of web line, very convenient. Kuwait, the small size, no domestic routes; only one international airport, flights can reach around the world. The same direction with our traffic is right-hand driving. Language: Arabic is the official language, English. Currency: The unit of currency Branch State Branch pounds (kd), domestic banks, banks or hotels accept U.S. dollars, throughout the exchange rate was not significantly distinguished. (Note: 1 pound equals Branch 1000fils; pass notes, 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 1,5,10 and 20 subjects ranging from £ denomination, coins 5,10,20,50 and 100fils. Exchange rate (compared with the U.S. dollar): 1 pound or about $ 3.4 Division Voltage: Branch State voltage 220 to 240 volts, high voltage, should be used with caution; outlet for the three-hole type, such as 110 volts of electrical appliances into the country must first pay attention to swing before use. Nationality: Kuwaiti 39%, other Arab 39%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, 9% other nationalities. Religion: Muslim 85%, Christianity, Hinduism and other religions accounted for 15%. Kuwait is a hereditary monarch Emirates, Emir is the head of state and supreme commander of armed forces. All laws and treaties concluded with foreign countries and agreements take effect upon approval by the Emir. National ban on all political parties. Cabinet held an important position by the royal family. Branch is a fully independent Arab state, Islam is the state religion, its teachings are the basis for legislation, Emil Bach must 穆巴拉克萨 hereditary descent. The exercise of legislative power by the emir and parliament, the right to dissolve Parliament and postpone the Emir parliamentary session; executive power by the Emir, the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers to exercise; jurisdiction by the court within the provisions of the Constitution to exercise on behalf of the Emir; the appointment of Crown Prince nominated by the Emir, parliament passed; Emir appointment and dismissal of prime minister and cabinet minister under prime minister nominated by the appointment and removal and so on. National Assembly for the legislative body, a hospital system. Its main functions are: the development and adoption of national laws and regulations; supervision of national financial implementation; exercise of political power. Parliament consists of 50 members elected by the country and the current composition of the cabinet ministers, elected for a term of four years. Government by the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, is responsible for implementation of the national domestic and foreign policies, is responsible to the Emir. Economy: Oil and gas-rich Kuwait has proven reserves of 968 billion barrels of oil, accounting for 10.8% of world reserves, ranking fourth in the world. Natural gas reserves of 1.498 trillion cubic meters, accounting for 1.1% of world reserves. Kuwaiti oil is the main source of revenue and the national economy. Its output accounted for 40% of gross domestic product, accounting for 95% of export earnings. Value of non-oil production accounted for 60% of GDP (including agriculture, fisheries 0.4%, manufacturing 13.3%, electricity, water, 0.1%, construction 2.7%, wholesale, retail 6. 3%, 0.8% Hospitality industry, transport, storage and communications 4.6%, 4% Finance, insurance 0.2%, 7.3% in real estate and business services, community social services 22.4%, etc.) . In recent years, the Government focus on development of the oil, petrochemical industry, while emphasizing the development of a variety of economic, reduce dependence on oil, increasing foreign investment. Industry to oil exploration, refining and petrochemical based. OPEC is currently Section 200 of the export quota b / d, the actual daily output of 220 million barrels. At 86 million barrels of refining capacity. Kuwait's main oil fields Bulgan large oil field, located in southeastern Kuwait. Bulgan large sandstone oil field is the world's largest oil field, after the Ghawar oil field is the world's second largest oil field. Kuwait, an area of about 14,182 hectares of arable land, soil-free cultivation area of about 156 hectares. Recent years, the Government attaches importance to developing agriculture, but agricultural output in GDP in the highest proportion of only 1.1%. The production of vegetables, agricultural products are mainly imported. Rich fishery resources, rich shrimp, grouper and croaker. Foreign trade plays an important role in the economy. Exports, mainly oil, gas and chemical products, oil exports accounted for 95% of total exports. Imports are machinery, transport equipment, industrial products, food and food and so on. Press and Publications: National total of 7 daily newspapers, including the Arabic version 5: "media reports", "Political News", "Torch News", "patria" and "News"; English has two: "Kuwait News "and" the Arab Times. " 56 species of various magazines, mostly above private. Department of National News Agency Kuwait News Agency, was built in October 1956, in 1980 only use Arabic, English to foreign dispatch. Kuwait radio station was built in 1951, in Arabic, English broadcast. Kuwaiti television station was built in December 1962, with four channels in Arabic and English programs. Egypt is also broadcast via satellite station satellite TV. Foreign: non-aligned policy of pursuing peace and neutrality, and advocates peaceful coexistence with all countries on the development of relations. Stressed the importance of the international community through the peaceful _set_tlement of disputes to preserve Section independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Will maintain sanctions on Iraq to seek international sympathy and diplomatic protection as its focus. Close ties with the United States and other Western countries, and U.S. troops are stationed. Actively maintaining the Arab national unity and strive to strengthen ties with Islamic countries, stressing among the GCC countries in political, economic, military and other areas of coordination and cooperation to jointly safeguard security and stability in the Gulf region, advocating the "Damascus Declaration" States in regional security coordination. In international affairs, science advocate the establishment of a just and reasonable new international order, opposing aggression and expansion, that the United Nations in maintaining world security and peace work. Advocated to solve the Third World debt problem. Bureau of Arab States, Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries, OPEC and the Arab OPEC countries.
Al Asimah