Dialing code +965
ISO 2 code KW
ISO 3 code KWT
Capital Kuwait City
Main Language Arabic
Currency Dinar (KWD)
GDP $149.1 billion 56th
Population 2,789,132 141st

Geography

Continent Asia
Location Middle East bordering the Persian Gulf between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Land 17,820 km2 158th
Terrain Flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Climate Dry desert; intensely hot summers; short cool winters
Natural Hazards Flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Note: Strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Neighbouring Countries

Iraq Saudi Arabia

History

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. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive. The country witnessed the historic election in May 2009 of four women to its National Assembly.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 77.71 years 45th
Median Age 26.2 years 111th
Birth Rate 21.81 births/1,000 population 79th
Death Rate 2.35 births/1,000 population 204th
Sex Ratio 1.04 male(s)/female 7th
Literacy 93.3% 94th
Population

2.8 million

Transportation

Roadways 5749 km 148th
Railways None km
Airports 7 162nd
Waterways None km
Heliports 4 33rd
Airports paved 1 131st

Economy

Currency Dinar (KWD)
GDP $149.1 billion 56th
GDP per capita (PPP) $57400 5th