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Kuwait
State of Kuwait
Arabic:
dawlatu l-kuwayt
INTRODUCTION
1. Political situation
2. Economy
3. Health & Education
4. Religions & Peoples
5. History
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MAJOR CITIES
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Kuwait 2.1 million
Qalib ash-Shuyukh 110,000
Sabahiya 50,000
Al Fuhayhil 45,000
Ar Riqqah 35,000
Al Ahmadi 25,000
Al Jahrah 20,000
All figures are 2005 estimates.
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STATUS
| Independent monarchy, divided into 5 governorates (muhafaza(t)).
Day of independence: June 19, 1961 (independence from Britain).
February 25, 1950 is however celebrated as the National holiday.
| GOVERNMENT
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Head of state: Emir Saad.
Prime minister: Sabah Ahmad Jaber as-Sabah. There are 14 ministries, and 7 ministers come from the Sabah clan.
National Assembly: The Majlis al-Umma has 50 seats, but limited power over national politics. Last elections were held on July 5, 2003.
| GEOGRAPHY
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Inhabitants: 2.75 million (2005 estimate).
Census April 20, 1995: 1.58 million (58% male, 42% female).
Kuwaiti nationals: 900,000.
Non-Kuwaiti citizens: 1.9 million.
Population growth rate: 3.3%
Total area: 17,820 kmē
Density: 154 per kmē
Border: 462 km (Saudi Arabia 222 km, Iraq 240 km).
Coastline: 499 km.
Highest point: 306 m
Arable land: 0.3%
Capital: Kuwait.
| HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
| World rank (of 177): 33
Index (1.0 max): 0.871
Explanation
| DEMOGRAPHY
| Ethnic groups: Kuwaiti Arabs, other Arabs, Iranian peoples, peoples of South Asia, Europe and America.
Languages: Arabic (official), English.
Religions: Sunni Islam, Shi'i Islam, Christianity, Hinduism.
| ECONOMY
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Currency: Dinar=10 dirhams=1,000 fils
1 Dinar=US$3.55. US$1=0.30 (June 2003)
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CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
Kuwait is from nature's side all desert, made up of red soil, and there is little that favours agriculture.
Vegetation is limited to low bushes and scrub, and salt-loving plants in the marshes along the coast. Only 9% of the land is arable, with occasional oases, and some sparse vegetation along the coast.
With the help of irrigation controlled by modern technology, Kuwait has come to be more green than before.
The landscape of Kuwait is flat, and the highest point in the country is 299 m. Kuwait has 9 islands, but only Faylaka is inhabited.
Average day temperature is 33°C, but can drop as low as -3° in January. 52°C is maximum temperature. Annual rainfall is between 25 mm and 175 mm, most of this falling during the months between October and March. Winter also comes with fierce dust storms, called kaus.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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