Kuwait
|
Name: The State of Kuwait Introduction: Since 1750's Kuwait has been ruled by the al- Sabah family as Emirs. From 1899 to 1961, a treaty made Britain responsible for Kuwait’s external affairs. In 1991, Iraq invaded and took over the control of Kuwait. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 which liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family returned to power in 1991, and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. Location: Kuwait is located in the middle east at the north-western corner of the Persian Gulf; between Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Terrain: Kuwait is mostly a flat with slightly undulating desert plain. Climate: It has a variable continental climate. Summers are long, hot and dry while winters are short and cool. Little rainfall in winters and there are some grassland and desert scrubs. Most of the fresh water is either imported or distilled from Sea. Ethnic Groups: About 60% of the people of Kuwait are immigrants. Main ethnic groups include; Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%. Religion: Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%. Area: 17,820 sq km Coastline: 499 km Capital: Kuwait Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KD) Population: 2,505,559 (2007 est) Population Growth Rate: 3.561% (2007 est) Life Expectancy: 77.36 years (2007 est) Nationality: Kuwait Language: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Literacy: Total - 83.5%, male – 85.1% and female – 81.7% (2003 est) Internet TLD: .kw Calling Code: + 965 Constitution: Approved and promulgated on 11 November 1962. Government: Constitutional hereditary Emirate. This constitutional monarchy has oldest directly elected Parliament of the Persian Gulf Arab countries. Independence: 19 June 1961 (from UK) National Holiday: National Day, 25 February (1950) Suffrage: Universal (adult); note - males in the military or police are not allowed to vote; adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years. Executive Branch: Amir Sahab is chief of the state. Prime minister is the head of the government and the cabinet consists of Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Amir. Legislative Branch: Unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly) The parliament has the power to dismiss the prime minister or anyone from his cabinet by a series of constitutional procedures.Parliament has the power to dismiss the Prime minister or any one from the Cabinet with the help of a series of constitutional procedure. Military Branches: Land Forces, Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya), National Guard (2007) Judicial Branch: High Court of Appeal Legal System: Civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters, Kuwait has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. National Flag: The design dates to 1961 and is based on Arabs revolt flag of the First World War. It has three equal horizontal bands of green (top) white and red with black trapezoid based on the hoist side. All colours mean something; white – deeds, black – battles, green – lands and red swords. National Anthem: Al-Nasheed Al-Watani Coat of Arm: It was adopted in 1962 and contains a shield of the flag design in colour superimposed on a falcon, with displayed wings. There is a sailing ship supported by the falcon and full name of the state is written on the top of the disk in Arabic. Sailing ship or Dhow symbolizes maritime traditions of the country. Economy: Kuwait is a small, but rich country. Its economy depends on its large production of oil and natural gas which provides 87% of the income. Its climate limits agricultural developments except for the fish, it depends almost wholly on imported food. Manufacturing provides some 4% of the national income. GDP: $ 88,7 billion (2005 est) GDP real Growth Rate: 8% (2006 est) GDP per Capita: $ 21,600 (2006 est) Imports: Food, construction materials, vehicles and parts and clothing. Exports: Oil and refined products and fertilizers. |