Kuwait. It is the capital city of the State of Kuwait, and has a 300-year history. The city has been rebuilt after the Gulf War.
History
The Emirate of Kuwait was founded in 1756 by Emir Sabah Habua Abdullah. In 1915 he accepted British protection. In 1961 he gained independence, and two years later he became a member of the United Nations. The political life of the emirate is characterized by the absolutism of the Emir, who, however, tries to satisfy the opposition so that he does not discuss his decisions. In 1986 the situation became untenable and the balance was broken.
Various fundamentalist groups took action. The pressure exerted by these and other sectors of the opposition forced the Emir to reopen Parliament. In this context, the Iraqi invasion of August 1990 took place, covered by supposed territorial rights over the emirate but mainly caused by Saddam Hussein’s wishes to control the Kuwaiti oil wells, whose high production drove the price of Iraqi crude down. The invasion was condemned by the UN and the western countries and the United States suspended their commercial relations with Iraq.. Following the imposition of an economic embargo by the UN and the creation of a multinational force, led by the United States and made up of most Western countries, war broke out on January 17, 1991. The intervention of the multinational coalition soon put an end to the Iraqi war potential, and forced Iraq to withdraw its forces from the emirate. In addition to the heavy human losses, Kuwait’s infrastructure was seriously damaged by the war, as Iraqis set fire to numerous oil wells. After the return of the Emir to power, the repression against those who had collaborated with the Iraqi occupation began, reflected in the application of martial law.
Geography
The territory of Kuwait has a length of 200 kilometers at its widest points, from north to south; and about 170 kilometers from east to west. The country is completely desert and from the topographic point of view, it does not present important reliefs or river courses. The greatest natural heritage of Kuwait is made up of the enormous extension of its low and sandy beaches, bathed by the Persian Gulf.
Location
Kuwait City is in the center of the small state of the same name. Between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, it has an extensive coastal strip overlooking the Persian Gulf.
Climate
Kuwait’s climate is totally desert, with great seasonal and daily variations, and very little rainfall. The average temperature during the day ranges between 42º and 46º.
Population
According to Countryaah, the capital of Kuwait is one of the most important financial and economic centers of the Persian Gulf, yet it is not an excessively populated nucleus, counting the suburbs of Hawalli and the annexed cities of Al-Jahran and As-Salimiya, it barely has 325,100 residents.
Economy
Kuwait’s economic base is based on the sale of oil, a product extracted by various British, American, German and Japanese companies.
Sightseeing
To enter the country you need a valid passport and a business visa, which is obtained with a letter from the company and the signature of the Chamber of Commerce.
The beautiful desert landscapes, the sandy beaches, the leisure parks and the vestiges of the Arab and Islamic culture will liven up any professional trip.
Art and culture
In the bazaars you can find some handicraft objects, but what prevails are products imported from other countries.
Monuments and places of interest
In addition to its oldest mosques, Kuwait City is home to an indispensable monument of avant-garde architecture, the National Assembly, designed by the Danish Jorn Utzon.
Holidays and traditions
On February 25, the National Day is celebrated; in addition, the celebrations of the Muslim calendar, lunar and therefore variable, are respected and followed.
Important characters
The Sheik Jabir Ahmed-el-el-Sabah is the Head of State of this small emirate since 1977.
