Kuwait |
|
| OVERVIEW |
| Background |
Britain oversaw
foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH
dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. 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 liberated Kuwait in four
days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure
damaged during 1990-91. |
| Natural
resources |
petroleum, fish, shrimp,
natural gas |
| Land use |
arable land: 0.34%
permanent crops: 0.06%
other: 99.6% (1998 est.) |
| Population |
2,183,161
note: includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 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 other 15% |
| Languages |
Arabic (official), English
widely spoken |
| Literacy |
definition: age 15 and
over can read and write
total population: 83.5%
male: 85.1%
female: 81.7% (2003 est.) |
| Capital |
Kuwait |
| Government
type |
nominal constitutional
monarchy |
| Independence |
19 June 1961 (from UK)
|
| National
holiday |
National Day, 25 February
(1950) |
|
|
