Kuwait is a country in the Middle East. It is located at the head of the Persian Gulf, with Iraq to the north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the southwest.
Regions Map of Kuwait
Cities
Other destinationsUnderstandIf you intend to tour Kuwait, it is really only best to do so if you will stay with friends or family. Aside from having a place to stay and a person to show you around, this country is really quite boring. Also, it is nice to have a Kuwaiti around when you get stopped at nightly roadblocks; they can be quite unnerving. HistoryThe Kuwaitis trace their roots to the Al-Anisa and the Al-Utub tribe from the Najd province, in modern Saudi Arabia. They moved to Qatar and then to Al-Qurain (derived from Koot, the Arabic word for fortress), which is in modern day Kuwait bay around 1710. By 1752, the long term residents of Al-Qurain decided that the instability of the region, caused by warring tribes, called for the establishment of a stable government. The Al-Sabah tribe was chosen to rule, and the first Sheikh was Sabah ibn Jaber, who ruled as Sabah I, from 1752 to 1756. The Sabah's were skillful diplomats, and weathered out religious and tribal strifes successfully. They dealt with the Ottomans, the Egyptians and the Europeans. Mubarak I signed an agreement with the British making Kuwait a British Protectorate in 1899. The British were in Kuwait for quite a while by then, and as early as the 1770's Abdullah I had a contract with the British to deliver mail for them up to Allepo in Syria. The agreement gave the British control of the Kuwaiti foreign policy in exchange for military protection. In the 20's and the 30's, the chief source of revenue was pearls. But around that time the Japanese started flooding the international market with cultured pearls and this source of income was in decline. In 1938, oil was first struck at the Burgan oil field in Kuwait, and by 1946, they started exporting it. In 1961, Kuwait nullified the treaty of 1899, and became an independent nation. 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 completely liberated Kuwait in four days; Febuary 26 is celebrated as Liberation Day. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. It is currently ruled by Sheik Subah Al Ahmad AL Jaber Al Subah after the demise of Sheikh Jaber al Ahmed al Jaber al Subah in January 2006. ClimateDry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters. Natural hazards : sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they 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. TerrainFlat to slightly undulating desert plain. Highest point: 306 meters. Get inBy planeKuwait International Airport is well connected to almost all the important world airports. All the major airlines have stops here, barring El Al. By trainKuwait has no railway system. By carKuwait shares its borders with only 2 nations - Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The political situation in Iraq is volatile currently, so it's advisable not to use that route. By busBy boatScheduled ferries to and from Iran. Ports and harbors:
Get aroundTalkArabic (official), English widely spoken. BuyThe national currency is the Kuwaiti dinar. There are 3.4238 US dollars in 1 dinar (24 Jan 2006). Kuwait is a tax free country. Custom-made items, imported items, and shipping out of the country can be expensive, so shop wisely.
EatDrink
SleepWestern chains are prevalent in Kuwait, with JW Marriott and Sheraton as the largest five star hotels in the downtown business district. Additional resort hotels are located on the coast. A Four Seasons hotel is current being constructed in Kuwait. WorkIO Centers (formerly Gulf Business Centre) is the only premium serviced office provider in the country. They offer flexible terms and all business related services and are located in two locatoins: on the 28th and 29th floors of the Arraya Center in the same tower as the Marriott Courtyard hotel and in the new Dar Alawadi Center. http://www.iocenters.com/ Stay safeKuwait is a very safe place and one would have to try very hard to get hurt. It is generally recommended to respect the dominant religion (Islam) and local customs; women should wear decent modest clothing at all times to avoid suspicious looks and lewd comments. Many Kuwaiti drivers are extremely reckless. Stay healthyPublic health is entirely supported by the government at local clinics and hospitals, with a 5KD fee paid by foreigners visiting Kuwait and 3KD for locals. Private non-governmental clinics are available as well, but charge much more at 30KD. RespectKuwaitis are very respectful and hospitable people who will lend a helping hand when ever they can. Contact
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