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The State of Kuwait
The Flag of the State of Kuwait
Flag description
Three equal horizontal bands of
green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side
[The State]
[The Economy] [The Currency]
The Geography
Time
GMT +3
The Time in Kuwait is
Area
total: 17,820 sq km
Land boundaries
total: 462 km
Coastline 499 km
Climate
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool
winters
Terrain
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Extremes of Elevation
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Geographic coordinates 29 30 N, 45
45 E
Population
2,183,161
note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2003
est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 27.9% (male 310,008; female 298,474)
15-64 years: 69.5% (male 970,282; female 547,753)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 36,306; female 20,338)
(2003 est.)
Median age
total: 25.9 years
male: 28.4 years
female: 21.8 years (2002)
Population growth rate
3.34%
note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf
crisis immigration of expatriates (2003 est.)
Ethnic groups
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian
4%, other 7%
Religions
Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian,
Hindu, Parsi, and others 15%
Languages
Arabic (official), English is widely spoken
The State
Background
Britain oversaw foreign relations and defence
for the ruling Kuwaiti al-Sabah dynasty from 1899 until independence in
1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2nd August 1990. Following
several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground
assault on 23rd February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days.
Independence
19th June 1961 (from UK)
National holiday
National Day, 25th February (1950)
Constitution
approved and promulgated 11th November 1962
Head of State
H. H. Amir Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah
(since 31st December 1977)
Prime Minister
Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah
(since 13th July 2003)
Membership of International Organizations
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, ESCWA,
FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,
OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO,
WMO, WTO
The Economy
Overview
Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy
with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world
reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues,
and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development.
Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food
imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Kuwait
continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields
in the northern part of the country. Oil production declined by an estimated
8% in 2002 but is expected to return to the 2001 level in 2003.
GDP
Purchasing power parity - $34.2 billion (2002
est.)
GDP - real growth rate
-2% (2002 est.)
GDP - per capita
Purchasing power parity - $15,000 (2002 est.)
GDP - Composition by Sector
Agriculture: 0.3%
Industry: 60%
Services: 39.7% (2000)
Oil - proved reserves
97.68 billion bbl (January 2002 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
1.548 trillion cu m (January 2002 est.)
The Currency
Currency
Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
1,000 fils = 1 Kuwaiti Dinar
Currency Code
KWD
Exchange Rates
Go to Currency Conversion Page for
International Exchange Rates
Fiscal Year
1 April - 31 March
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