Kuwait

A nation with abundant past, cutting edge advancement and ancient tradition

Kuwait is a budding country in the Middle East with a large population but with an influential influence that has supported the traditional Arabian Culture in unison with modern development. Kuwait is one of the richest nations in the world possessing extensive oil deposits which have given the Kuwait nation an opportunity to become one of the major financial centres in the world beside the in-depth culture of the Kuwait people. The old and the new Kuwait has ancient history and traditional souks as well as modern skyscrapers and fancy shopping malls.

In this extensive guide, we are going to go through geography, rich history, very strong culture, burgeoning economy and attractions a visitor must see in Kuwait. Kuwait can surprise anyone even as a history lover, a fan of culture, or a curious person focusing on urban landscapes of modern cities.

For an in-depth travel guide, visit the Official tourism guide for Kuwait

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Geographical Location

Kuwait is situated in the northeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula and it is surrounded by Iraq in the North and West, Saudi Arabia in the South and Persian Gulf in the East. Having a size of about 17,818 square kilometers, the country is quite small as compared to its neighboring countries. Although it is small, Kuwait has a great geopolitical role in the region since it is a country that has oil reserves as well as being in a strategic geographical position in the gulf.

Kuwait City is located at the coast and it is a political, economical, cultural and capital city. Kuwait has a well-endowed coastline on the Persian Gulf with its fine beaches and ports which have made it a hub of active trade and sea transport activities.

Land Features and Geography

The geography of Kuwait is mainly flat and desolate with only limited natural water resources. Sandy deserts cover most parts of the country with few small mountain ranges being found to the south. Nevertheless, the coastal-line offers breathtaking scenes of the Persian Gulf of Kuwait, equally considered to harbor some of the most valued beaches, which tourists exploit on relaxation and other activities in water. The country boasts of a number of islands as well such as the Failaka Island that shares archaeological sites and picturesque coastline.

The weather of the country is rather high in summer temperatures which rarely drop below 40 o C (104 o F), but rainy in winter.

The past Ancient and Medieval History

The territory of Kuwait had a history that could be traced back to the ancient times when human settlements could be discovered in the territory since the times of the Dilmun civilization (around 3000 BCE). The region has been a trade connection point between the Arabian Peninsula, Mesopotamia and Persia placing it in the category of having a cultured heritage. Some of the earliest people to influence the region included ancient Sumerians and Babylonians.

Kuwait In the course of the medieval period, Kuwait was affected by regional empires, such as the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula in the 16th to 18th century. The natives of Kuwait were famous as travellers and fishermen particularly the pearl diving activity and fishing.

Independence and Modern History

The modern history of Kuwait started in the 18 th century when it was founded as a prosperous sea port by the Al Sabah family, which has been governing the nation to date. Kuwait evolved to be a trade hub especially of the pearl and the presence of a harbor made it an asset to different regional powers.

At the beginning of the 20 th century Kuwait was changed into a British protectorate and became a British dependency until Kuwait was fully independent in 1961. After gaining independence, Kuwait became largely wealthy and one of the richest countries in the world because of the enormous oil deposits.

The Gulf War and the Ensuing War The Gulf War and the Resulting War

In 1990, Iraq under the leadership of Saddam Hussein Invaded Kuwait, thus causing the Gulf war. This was operated by the international community spearheaded by the United States with a military takeover to power out the Iraqi troops in Kuwait and its sovereignty claimed in early 1991. The war was too heavy an influence on the nation and since then Kuwait has tried to develop and modernize its structure and economy.

Diversity in Ethnicity and Religion

Kuwait is a mixed country with most of the citizens being the Kuwaiti nationalities of the Arab race with large populations of expatriates whose countries of origin include India, the Philippines, Egypt and Bangladesh among others. Arabic is the official language of the country; the state religion is Islam and almost all citizens (who are predominantly Sunni) are Muslims. Christians, Hindus, and other religious minorities also exist in minor communities.

Kuwait also has a strong Islamic cultural background and most of the major Islamic holidays e.g. Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha and Ramadan are celebrated in Kuwait. Due to the large number of Muslims in Kuwait there are a great number of mosques in Kuwait with one of the most outstanding mosques being the Grand Mosque in Kuwait City.

Customs and Cultural Habits

The Kuwait culture is deeply ingrained in its bedouin culture and such customs as hospitality, honor of elders and family harmony are the primary characteristics of everyday life. Such aspects of Kuwaiti culture as the family are one of the most important because family is the centre of the social life in Kuwait.

Kuwait is also characterized by traditional arts such as sword dancing (Ardah), poetry, and music. Another cultural practice that is very essential in Kuwait is the sadu weaving tradition that is characterized by the making of intricate designs using camel and sheep fur. Kuwaiti food is representative of their culture and some of the notable foods are machboos (rice with meat), hummus, falafel, kubba among others.

Oil Industry and The Role

Kuwait uses its oil reserves in carrying out its economy and this oil provides a big percentage of its GDP as well as government earnings. Kuwait is one of the major exporters of oil in the world and its Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is in charge of the mammoth oil deposits that the country has. Oil industry has helped Kuwait to record among the highest per capita income in the world.

In spite of oil wealth Kuwait has been experiencing economic diversification and dependence on energy industry related problems. Some of the sectors where the government has embarked on to develop in the light of cutting dependency on oil include finance, real estate, tourism and technology.

Financial Services

Kuwait is a financial center and the banking system is very well developed where multiple international banks present in the country. Kuwait stock exchange (KSE) is among the oldest in the Arab world and users have made the country a significant partner in international finance.

Tourism and Real Estate

The tourism industry in Kuwait is gradually developing and luxury hotels, shopping centers, and entertainment places are gaining more interest. The nation has strived to put itself as a regional destination option in terms of culture and leisure, as it hosts art exhibitions, music fairs, and sporting events.

Kuwait has also embarked on massive real estate development exemplified by Al Hamra Tower, Kuwait Towers and other business and residential areas development.

Historical and Cultural Landmarks

Kuwait Towers The three well-known towers, which present breath-taking views over the city and the Persian Gulf.

Grand Mosque – the most beautiful mosque in Kuwait which is appreciated by its magnificent architecture and Islamic decor.

The Tareq Rajab museum– This is a cultural museum that is home to a rich collection of antiques, Islamic art and textiles.

Modern Attractions

The Avenues Mall – It is one of the biggest shopping malls in the Middle East and provides high end brands and entertainment providers.

Kuwait National Museum – It has the exhibits on the history, culture, and the natural heritage of Kuwait.

Failaka Island– This is an archaeological point representing an insight into the ancient history of Kuwait, and there are ruins of the Greek and Islamic culture.

Natural Attractions

Al Kout Beach – It is a peaceful beach featuring transparent waters and stunning spectacles of the Persian Gulf.

Green Island An artificial island in the Persian Gulf, a peaceful get away comprising gardens, a lake, and sporting amenities.

Healthcare System

Kuwait has a developed healthcare system and there are both state and commercial hospitals providing innovative services in healthcare. The government maintains a number of the latest hospitals and a big number of the medical centres are also available that serve the expatriate community.

Education System

Education is well developed in Kuwait, and the Kuwait citizens enjoy free education with no limit on any level. There exist many universities and schools in the country and additionally there are international institutions which have set campuses there. Some of the prominent educational institutions are the American University of Kuwait and the Kuwait University.

Ideal Seasons

And it is warm in Kuwait all year round except in November to April which is conducive time to visit in Kuwait. The summertime (May to October) is extremely hot and very warm weather in Bahrain is often recorded above 40 C (104 F) and one would not be comfortable doing their activities outdoors.

Conclusion :

Kuwait is a nation that is very rich, accomplished, and ambitious despite its modest size. Kuwait is becoming a key cultural and financial center of the Middle East as it keeps on modernizing and diversifying its economic sector. The wonderful airport, Kuwait offers a perfect mix of ancient folklore and latest innovation, making the country quite a favorite place to visit amongst the travelers of the world and to experience the present and past dynamic face of the Arab world.

F.A.Q.

When is the best time to visit Kuwait?

Kuwait is also best visited during the months of November up to April where the weather is cool and comfortable.

So, what are the news attractions in Kuwait?

The main attractions are the Kuwait towers, Grand Mosque and the Avenues Mall.

Which languages do Kuwait people speak?

Arabic is the official language but English is commonly spoken particularly in business and government.

What is the Kuwait economy founded on?

Kuwait is anchored in oil export, but the modern day Kuwait is also venturing into the concept of diversification in other areas such as in the finance, tourism and real estate sectors.

Is Kuwait safe to visit?

Yes, Kuwait can be regarded as a very safe country to visit because the crime level is rather low and the population is rather welcoming.

Which cultural festivals must I attend in Kuwait?

The best way to get a taste of the rich culture of Kuwait is by taking part in the National Day festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.