Kuwait.doc

Kuwait

Kuwait

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This article is about the modern country in the Persian Gulf. For the former autonomous state in southern Arabia, seeQu'aiti.

State of Kuwait Dawlat al-Kuwait

FlagEmblem

Anthem:"Al-Nasheed Al-Watani""National Anthem"

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Location ofKuwait(red)

in theArabian Peninsula(light yellow)

Capitaland largest cityKuwait City2922N4758E

Official languagesArabic

Ethnicgroups 60%Arab(31.3%Kuwaiti, 27.9% other Arabs)[1] 37.8% Asian

1.9% African

ReligionIslam

DemonymKuwaiti

GovernmentUnitaryparliamentaryconstitutional monarchy[1]

-EmirSabah al-Sabah

-Crown PrinceNawaf al-Sabah

-Prime MinisterJaber al-Sabah

LegislatureNational Assembly

Establishment

-Independence fromtheEmirate of Al Hasa1752

-Anglo-Ottoman Convention1913

-End of treaties with theUnited Kingdom19 June 1961

Area

-Total17,820km2(157th)6,880sqmi

-Water(%)negligible

Population

-2014estimate4,044,500 (140th)

-2005census2,213,403[2]

-Density200.2/km2(61st)518.4/sqmi

GDP(PPP)2014estimate

-Total$283.976 billion[3](52nd)

-Per capita$71,020[3](5th)

GDP(nominal)2014estimate

-Total$172.350 billion[3](55th)

-Per capita$43,103[3](23rd)

HDI(2013)0.814[4]very high46th

CurrencyKuwaiti dinar(KWD)

Time zoneAST/ KSA(UTC+3)

-Summer(DST)not observed(UTC+3)

Date formatdd/mm/yyyy (CE)

Drives on theright

Calling code+965

ISO 3166 codeKW

Internet TLD.kw

a.Nominalsuccessionwithin theHouse of Sabah.

b.Emirate

You may needrendering supportto display theArabic textin this article correctly.

Kuwait

i/kuwet/(Arabic:

Dawlat al-Kuwait), officially theState of Kuwait, is a country inWestern Asia. Situated in the northern edge ofEastern Arabiaat the tip of thePersian Gulf, it shares borders withIraqandSaudi Arabia. As of 2014, Kuwait has a population of 4.1 million people; 1.2 million are Kuwaitis and 2.8 million are expatriates.[5]In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Kuwait was a prosperous trade port.[6]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-7" [7]Starting in the early 20th century, its regional economic importance declined, and by 1934 Kuwait had lost its prominence in long-distance trade.[8]Kuwait's economy was devastated by several trade blockades,[9]starting with theBritish Empire's blockade during World War I.[10]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ot-11" [11]Following theKuwait-Najd Warof 191920,Saudi Arabiaimposed a trade blockade against the country from 1923 until 1937.[9]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-do-12" [12]Oil reserves were discovered in 1938. From 1946 to 1982, the country underwent large-scale modernization. In the 1980s, Kuwait experienced a period of geopolitical instability and an economic crisis following thestock market crash. In 1990, Kuwait wasinvaded by Iraq. The Iraqi occupation came to an end in 1991 aftermilitary interventionby United States-led forces. At the end of the war, there were extensive efforts to revive the economy and rebuild national infrastructure.

Kuwait is a constitutional emirate with ahigh income economybacked by the world'ssixth largestoil reserves. TheKuwaiti dinaris the highest valued currency in the world.[13]The country ranks highly in regional comparisons of protection ofcivil liberties,[14]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-rsf-15" [15]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-nyt-16" [16]press freedomandconstitutionalism.[17]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-wsj-18" [18]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-rsf-15" [15]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-nyt-16" [16]In recent years, political instability has hindered the country's economic diversification.[19]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-20" [20]

Map of Kuwait.

Contents

[hide] 1History 1.1Early history 1.2Golden Era (194682) 1.31980s to present day 2Politics 2.1Media 2.2Law 2.3Foreign relations 2.4Military 3Geography 3.1Climate 3.2Governorates 4Economy 5Demographics 5.1Ethnic groups 5.2Religion 5.3Languages 6Culture 6.1Theatre 6.2Soap operas 6.3Arts 6.4Literature 7See also 8References 9Further reading 10External linksHistory[edit]Main article:History of KuwaitEarly history[edit]In 1613, the town of Kuwait was founded in modern-dayKuwait City. In 1716, theBani Utubssettled in Kuwait. At the time of the arrival of the Utubs, Kuwait was inhabited by a fewfishermenand primarily functioned as afishing village.[21]In the eighteenth century, Kuwait prospered and rapidly became the principal commercial center for the transit of goods betweenIndia,Muscat,BaghdadandArabia.[22]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-23" [23]By the mid 1700s, Kuwait had already established itself as the major trading route from the Persian Gulf toAleppo.[24]During the Persian siege of Basra in 177579, Iraqi merchants took refuge in Kuwait and were partly instrumental in the expansion of Kuwait's boat-building and trading activities.[25]As a result, Kuwait's maritime commerce boomed.[25]Between the years 1775 and 1779, the Indian trade routes with Baghdad, Aleppo,SmyrnaandConstantinoplewere diverted to Kuwait.[24]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-26" [26]TheEast India Companywas diverted to Kuwait in 1792.[27]The East India Company secured the sea routes between Kuwait,Indiaand the east coasts ofAfrica.[27]After the Persians withdrew from Basra in 1779, Kuwait continued to attract trade away from Basra.[28]Kuwait was the center ofboat buildingin the Persian Gulf region.[29]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-30" [30]During the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, vessels made in Kuwait carried the bulk of trade between the ports of India, East Africa and the Red Sea.[31]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-33" [33]Kuwaiti ship vessels were renowned throughout theIndian Ocean.[34]Regional geopolitical turbulence helped fostereconomic prosperityin Kuwait in the second half of the 18th century.[35]Kuwait became prosperous due to Basra's instability in the late 18th century.[36]In the late 18th century, Kuwait partly functioned as a haven for Basra's merchants fleeingOttoman governmentpersecution.[37]According to Palgrave, Kuwaitis developed a reputation as the best sailors in the Persian Gulf.[34]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-39" [39]During the reign ofMubarak Al-Sabah, Kuwait was dubbed the "Marseillesof the Gulf" because its economic vitality attracted a large variety of people.[40]In the early 20th century, Kuwait immensely declined in regional economic importance,[8]mainly due to many trade blockades and the world economic depression.[9]BeforeMary Bruins Allisonvisited Kuwait in 1934, Kuwait lost its prominence in long distance trade.[8]DuringWorld War I, theBritish Empireimposed a trade blockade against Kuwait becauseKuwait's rulersupported theOttoman Empire.[10]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ot-11" [11]The British economic blockade heavily damaged Kuwait's economy.[11]TheGreat Depressionnegatively impacted Kuwait's economy starting in the late 1920s.[12]International trading was one of Kuwait's main sources of income before oil.[12]Kuwaiti merchants were mostly intermediary merchants.[12]As a result of European decline of demand for goods from India and Africa, the economy of Kuwait suffered. The decline in international trade resulted in an increase in gold smuggling by Kuwaiti ships to India.[12]Some Kuwaiti merchant families became rich due to gold smuggling to India.[41]Kuwait's pearling industry also collapsed as a result of the worldwide economic depression.[41]At its height, Kuwait's pearling industry led the world's luxury market, regularly sending out between 750 and 800 ship vessels to meet the European elite's need for pearls.[41]During the economic depression, luxuries like pearls were in little demand.[41]The Japanese invention ofcultured pearlsalso contributed to the collapse of Kuwait's pearling industry.[41]Following theKuwaitNajd Warof 191920,Ibn Saudimposed a trade blockade against Kuwait from the years 1923 until 1937.[9]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-do-12" [12]The goal of the Saudi economic and military attacks on Kuwait was to annex as much of Kuwait's territory as possible.[9]At theUqair conferencein 1922, the boundaries of Kuwait and Najd were set.[9]Kuwait had no representative at the Uqair conference.[9]Ibn Saud persuadedSir Percy Coxto give him two-thirds of Kuwait's territory.[9]More than half of Kuwait was lost due to Uqair.[9]After the Uqair conference, Kuwait was still subjected to a Saudi economic blockade and intermittent Saudiraiding.[9]In 1937,Freya Starkwrote about the extent of poverty in Kuwait at the time:[12]Poverty has settled in Kuwait more heavily since my last visit five years ago, both by sea, where the pearl trade continues to decline, and by land, where the blockade established by Saudi Arabia now harms the merchants.

Some merchant families left Kuwait in the early 1930s due to the prevalence of economic hardship. At the time of the discovery of oil in 1937, most of Kuwait's inhabitants were impoverished.

Golden Era (194682)[edit]From 1946 to 1982, Kuwait experienced a period of prosperity driven by oil and its liberal atmosphere.[42]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-pavilion-43" [43]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-farid-44" [44]In popular discourse, the years between 1946 and 1982 are referred to as the "Golden Era".[42]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-pavilion-43" [43]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-farid-44" [44]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-45" [45]In 1950, a major public-work programme began to enable Kuwaitis to enjoy a modern standard of living. By 1952, the country became the largest oil exporter in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from Palestine, Egypt and India. In June 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of theBritish protectorateand the sheikhAbdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabahbecame an Emir. Under the terms of the newly draftedconstitution, Kuwait held its firstparliamentary elections in 1963. Kuwait was the first Gulf country to establish a constitution and parliament.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait was the most developed country in the region.[46]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-index-48" [48]Kuwait was the pioneer in the Middle East in diversifying its earnings away from oil exports.[49]TheKuwait Investment Authorityis the world's first sovereign wealth fund. From the 1970s onward, Kuwait scored highest of all Arab countries on theHuman Development Index.[48]Kuwait Universitywas established in 1966.[48]Kuwait'stheatre industrywas well-known throughout the Arab world.[42]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-index-48" [48]In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait's press was described as one of thefreest in the world.[50]Kuwait was the pioneer in the literary renaissance in the Arab region.[51]In 1958,Al Arabimagazine was first published, the magazine went on to become the most popular magazine in the Arab world.[51]Many Arab writers moved to Kuwait forfreedom of expressionbecause Kuwait had greater freedom of expression than elsewhere in the Arab world.[52]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-53" [53]The Iraqi poetAhmed Matarleft Iraq in the 1970s to take refuge in the more liberal environment of Kuwait.[54]Kuwaiti society embracedliberal and Western attitudesthroughout the 1960s and 1970s.[55]Most Kuwaiti women did not wear thehijabin the 1960s and 1970s.[56]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-57" [57]At Kuwait University, mini-skirts were more common than the hijab.[58]1980s to present day[edit]In the early 1980s, Kuwait experienced a majoreconomic crisisafter theSouk Al-Manakh stock market crashanddecrease in oil price.[59]During theIran-Iraq war, Kuwait supported Iraq. Throughout the 1980s, there were several terror attacks in Kuwait, including the1983 Kuwait bombings, hijacking ofseveral Kuwait Airways planesand attempted assassination of Emir Jaber in 1985. Kuwait was a regional hub of science and technology in the 1960s and 1970s up until the early 1980s,[60]the scientific research sector significantly suffered due to the terror attacks.[60]

Oil fires in Kuwait in 1991, which were a result of thescorched earthpolicy ofIraqimilitary forcesretreating from Kuwait.

After the Iran-Iraq war ended, Kuwait declined an Iraqi request to forgive its US$65 billion debt.[61]An economic rivalry between the two countries ensued after Kuwait increased its oil production by 40 percent.[62]Tensions between the two countries increased further in July 1990, after Iraq complained toOPECclaiming that Kuwait was stealing its oil from a field near the border byslant drillingof theRumaila field.[62]In August 1990, Iraqi forcesinvaded and annexedKuwait. After a series of failed diplomatic negotiations, the United States led a coalition to remove the Iraqi forces from Kuwait, in what became known as theGulf War. On 26 February 1991, the coalition succeeded in driving out the Iraqi forces. As they retreated, Iraqi forces carried out ascorched earthpolicy by setting oil wells on fire.[63]During the Iraqi occupation, more than 1,000 Kuwaiti civilians were killed.[64]In addition, more than 600 Kuwaitis wentmissingduring Iraq's occupation,[65]approximately 375 remains were found in mass graves in Iraq.

In March 2003, Kuwait became the springboard for the US-ledinvasion of Iraq. Upon the death of the Emir Jaber, in January 2006,Saad Al-Sabahsucceeded him but was removed nine days later by the Kuwaiti parliament due to his ailing health.Sabah Al-Sabahwas sworn in as Emir. In 20112012, there wereprotestscalling for reforms. The parliament was dissolved in December 2011 due to protests against the parliament. The prime minister stepped down following protests.

In June 2015, asuicide bombingtook place at a Shia mosque. It was the largest terror attack in Kuwait's history.

Politics[edit]Main articles:Politics of Kuwait,Government of KuwaitandNational Assembly of Kuwait

Kuwait National Assembly BuildingKuwait is a constitutional emirate with asemi-democraticpolitical system.[18]



HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-68" [68]TheEmiris the head of state. The hybrid political system is divided between anelected parliamentandappointed government(dominated by theruling family).[69]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-70" [70]TheConstitution of Kuwaitwas promulgated in 1962. Kuwait is among the Middle East's freest countries incivil libertiesand political rights.[14]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-nyt-16" [16]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-wsj-18" [18]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-mubash-71" [71]Freedom Houserates the country as "Partly Free" in theFreedom in the Worldsurvey.[72]Kuwait is the only Gulf state that is ranked "partly free".[71]Human rights in Kuwaithas been the subject of criticism, particularly regardingmigrant workers rightsand theBedoon. Expatriates account for 70% of Kuwait's total population. Thekafala systemleaves migrant workers prone to exploitation. Human rights organizations have criticized Kuwait for failing to protect foreign workers from exploitation.

Media[edit]Kuwait's media is annually classified as "partly free" in theFreedom of Presssurvey by Freedom House.[73]Kuwait's media is the freest in the Gulf region.[15]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-74" [74]Kuwait consistently ranks as having thefreest mediain theArab world.[17]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-76" [76]Since 2005,[77]Kuwait has frequently earned the highest ranking of all Arab countries in the annualPress Freedom Indexby Reporters Without Borders.[78]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-isr-79" [79]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-indi-80" [80]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-indextwo-81" [81]




HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ofa-85" [85]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-86" [86]In 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014, Kuwait surpassedIsraelas the country with the greatest press freedom in the Middle East.[78]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-isr-79" [79]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-indi-80" [80]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-indextwo-81" [81]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ofa-85" [85]Kuwait is also frequently ranked as the Arab country with the greatest press freedom in Freedom House's annual Freedom of Press survey.[17]






HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-92" [92]Kuwait produces more newspapers and magazines per capita than its neighbors.[93]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-94" [94]There are limits to Kuwait's press freedom, criticism of the government and ruling family members is permitted but many people have been jailed for defaming the Emir.[95]Kuwait's constitution criminalizes criticism of the Emir.

Law[edit]Kuwait follows the "civil law system" modeled after the French legal system,[96]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-98" [98]Kuwait's legal system is largely secular.[99]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-hopkins-100" [100]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-101" [101]Sharia lawgoverns onlyfamily lawfor Muslim residents,[100]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-102" [102]non-Muslims in Kuwait have a secular family law. For the application offamily law, there are three separate court sections: Sunni, Shia and non-Muslim.[103]According to theUnited Nations, Kuwait's legal system is a mix ofBritish common law,French civil law,Egyptian civil lawand Islamic law.[104]Thecourt systemin Kuwait is secular.[105]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ipo-106" [106]Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait does not have Sharia courts.[106]Sections of the civil court system administer family law.[106]Kuwait has the most secularcommercial lawin the Gulf.[107]Foreign relations[edit]Main article:Foreign relations of Kuwait

Location of diplomatic missions of Kuwait:

Kuwait

Embassy

Foreign affairs relations of Kuwait is handled at the level of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs. The first foreign affairs department bureau was established in 1961. Kuwait became the 111th member state of the United Nations in May 1963. It is a long-standing member of theArab LeagueandCooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Before theGulf War, Kuwait was the only "pro-Soviet" state in the Gulf.[108]Kuwait acted as a conduit for the Soviets to the other Gulf states and Kuwait was used to demonstrate the benefits of a pro-Soviet stance.[108]Between 1961 and 1991, Kuwait had an uneasy relationship with theUnited Statescharacterized by mistrust and hostility.[109]In July 1987, Kuwait refused to allow U.S. military bases in its territory.[110]As a result of theGulf War, Kuwait's relations with the U.S. have improved significantly and currently hosts thousands ofUS military personneland contractors within active U.S. facilities. Kuwait is one of America's closest allies in the Middle East and theArab World.

Military[edit]TheMilitary of Kuwaittraces its original roots to the Kuwaiti cavalrymen and infantrymen that used to protect Kuwait and its wall since the early 1900s. These cavalrymen and infantrymen formed the defense and security forces in metropolitan areas; charged with protecting outposts outside the wall of Kuwait.

The Military of Kuwait consists of several joint defense forces. The governing bodies are theKuwait Ministry of Defense, theKuwait Ministry of Interior, theKuwait National Guardand the Kuwait Fire Service Directorate. TheEmir of Kuwaitis thecommander-in-chiefof all defense forces.

Geography[edit]Main article:Geography of Kuwait

Satellite image of Kuwait

Kuwait Cityis located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor. 90% of Kuwait's population live within the Kuwait Bay coast. The country is generally low lying, with the highest point being 306m (1,004ft) above sea-level.[1]It hasnine islands, all of which, with the exception ofFailaka Island, are uninhabited.[111]With an area of 860km2(330sqmi), theBubiyanis the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380m (7,808ft) long bridge.[112]The only 0.6% of the land area is considered arable[1]with sparse vegetation found along its 499-kilometre (310mi) long coastline.[1]Kuwait'sBurgan fieldhaving a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (1.11010m3) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991Kuwaiti oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7km2(13.8sqmi).[113]The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[114]The oil spills during the Gulf War also drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.[115]Climate[edit]Main article:Climate of KuwaitThe spring season in March is warm with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cold in winter and hot in summer. Southeasterly damp winds spring up between July and October; hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.[116]The temperature in Kuwait during summer is above 25C (77F). The highest recorded temperature was 54.4C (129.9F) which is the highest temperature recorded in Asia.[117]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-118" [118]Governorates[edit]Main article:Governorates of KuwaitKuwait is divided intosix governorates. The governorates are further subdivided intoareas.

Economy[edit]Main article:Economy of Kuwait

Al Hamra Toweris the tallest sculpted tower in the world.

Arraya Tower.

Kuwait has apetroleum-based economy, petroleum and fertilizers are the main export products. TheKuwaiti dinaris the highest-valued currency unit in the world.[13]Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP and 94% of export revenues and government income.[1]TheKuwait Stock Exchangeis the second-largeststock exchangein the Arab world.

Kuwait was the pioneer in the Middle East indiversifyingits earnings away from oil exports.[49]However the country has struggled to diversify its economy since the Gulf War. In recent years, the hostile relationship between the elected parliament and government has prevented the implementation of economic reforms.[119]In the past five years, there has been a significant rise inentrepreneurshipand small business start-ups in Kuwait.[120]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-121" [121]Theinformal sectoris also on the rise,[122]mainly due to the popularity of Instagram businesses.[123]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-125" [125]Many Kuwaiti entrepreneurs are using the Instagram-based business model.[126]International holdings

TheKuwait Investment Authority(KIA) is Kuwait'ssovereign wealth fundspecializing in foreign investment. The KIA is the world's oldest sovereign wealth fund. Since 1953, the Kuwaiti government has directed investments into Europe, United States andAsia Pacific. As of 2015, the holdings were valued at $592 billion in assets.[127]Kuwait is the Arab world's largest foreign investor, with $8.4 billion inFDI outflowsin 2013.[128]Kuwait consistently tops regional rankings in FDI outflows. In 2013, Kuwait almost tripled its foreign investments.[128]Over the last 10 years, Kuwait has doubled investments in theUKto more than $24 billion.[129]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-130" [130]In 2014, Kuwait became the largest foreign investor inChina'sRMBmarket.[131]Demographics[edit]

Kuwaiti youth celebrating Kuwait's independence and liberation, 2011

Main article:Demographics of KuwaitKuwait's 2014 population was 4.1 million people, of which 1.2 million were Kuwaitis, 1.1 million Arab expatriates, 1.4 million Asian expatriates, and 76,698 Africans.[132]Ethnic groups[edit]Expatriates account for 70% of Kuwait's total population. 60% of Kuwait's total population isArab(including Arab expats).[1]IndiansandEgyptiansare the largest expat communities respectively.[133]Religion[edit]Main article:Religion in Kuwait

Mosque in Kuwait

Most of Kuwait's population is Muslim. Kuwait also has a large community of expatriate Christians (est. 450,000),Hindus(est. 600,000),Buddhists(est. 100,000), andSikhs(est. 10,000).[134]The majority of Kuwait's citizen population is Muslim;[135]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-ssi-136" [136]there are no official figures, but it is estimated that 70% areSunniand 30% areShia.[137]


HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-irfr-139" [139]Some other minor Muslim sects do exist in Kuwait's society, but in very small or rare numbers. Kuwait has anative Christiancommunity, there are between 259-400 Christian Kuwaiti citizens.[140]Kuwait is the onlyGCC countrybesides Bahrain to have a local Christian population who hold citizenship. There is also a small number ofBah'Kuwaiti citizens,[134]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-141" [141]it is likely that 18 Kuwaiti citizens follow the Bah' religion.[135]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-142" [note 1]Languages[edit]Kuwait's official language isModern Standard Arabic.Kuwaiti Arabicis Kuwait's colloquial dialect.Kuwaiti Sign Languageis used by the deaf community. English is widely understood and often used as a business language.

Culture[edit]Main article:Culture of Kuwait

Kuwait Towers, the country's most famous landmark.

Within the Gulf Arab states, the culture of Kuwait is the closest to the culture of Bahrain; this is evident in the close association between the two states in terms of accents, food, and clothes, in addition to the similar degrees of openness in the two societies.[142]Theatre[edit]Kuwait is known for its home-grown tradition oftheatre.[143]Kuwait is the only country in the Gulf with a theatrical tradition.[144]The theatrical movement in Kuwait constitutes a major part of the country's cultural life.[145]Theatrical activities in Kuwait began in the 1920s when the first spoken dramas were released.[146]Theatre activities are still popular today.[145]Soap operas[edit]Kuwaiti soap operas ( ) are the among the most-watched soap operas in the Arab world.[147]Although usually performed in the Kuwaiti dialect, they have been shown with success as far away asTunisia.[148]Arts[edit]Kuwait has the oldestmodern artsmovement in the Arabian Peninsula.[149]Beginning in 1936, Kuwait was the first Gulf country to grant scholarships in the arts.[149]The Kuwaiti artistMojeb al-Dousariwas the earliest recognizedvisual artistin the Gulf region.[150]He is regarded as the founder ofportraitart in the region.[151]In 1943, al-Dousari launched Kuwait's first art gallery.

Kuwait is home to more than20 art galleries. The Sultan Gallery was the first art gallery in the Gulf region.[152]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-154" [153]Khalifa Al-Qattanwas the first Kuwaiti artist to hold a solo artist exhibition in Kuwait. He founded a new art theory in the early 1960s known as "circulism".[154]

HYPERLINK "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuwait" \l "cite_note-156" [155]Literature[edit]Kuwait was the pioneer of literary movement in the region. In 1958,Al Arabimagazine was first published, the magazine went on to become the most popular magazine in the Arab world.[51]In the 1970s, writers moved to Kuwait where they enjoyed greater freedom of expression than elsewhere in the Arab world.[52]

Documents

Kuwait.doc