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.
Population
2,789,132
Country comparison to the world:139
note:includes 1,291,354 non-nationals (July 2010 est.)
Nationality
Noun:Kuwaiti(s)
Adjective:Kuwaiti
Ethnic groups
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions
Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shia 30%), other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%
Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Country Name
Conventional long form:State of Kuwait
Conventional short form:Kuwait
Local long form:Dawlat al Kuwayt
Local short form:Al Kuwayt
Government Type
constitutional emirate
Capital
Name: Kuwait City
Geographic coordinates:29 22 N, 47 58 E
Time difference:UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
Independence
19 June 1961 (from the UK)
National Holiday
National Day, 25 February (1950)
Constitution
approved and promulgated 11 November 1962
Legal system
civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal (adult); note - males in the military or police are not allowed to vote; adult females were allowed to vote as of 16 May 2005; all voters must have been citizens for 20 years
Executive branch
Chief of state:Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 7 February 2006)
Head of government:Prime Minister NASIR AL-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 3 April 2007); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR AL-MUBAREK al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD AL-SABAH al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006)
Cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir
(For more information visit the World Leaders website)
Elections:none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers
Legislative branch
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; all cabinet ministers are also ex officio voting members of the National Assembly)
Elections:last held on 16 May 2009 (next election to be held in 2013)
Election results:percent of vote by bloc - NA; seats by bloc - tribal MPs 25 (all Sunni Muslims, and represented primarily by the Al-Mutairi, Al-Azmi, Al-Ajmi, and Al-Rasheedi tribes), Shia Muslims 9, liberals 7, independents 6, Salafi (Sunni) Islamists 3
Judicial branch
High Court of Appeal
Political Parties and Leaders
none; formation of political parties is in practice illegal but is not forbidden by law
Political pressure groups and leaders
Other: Islamists; merchants; political groups; secular liberals and pro-governmental deputies; Shia activists; tribal groups
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB (nonregional member), AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, Paris Club (associate), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador SALIM al-Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah
Chancery:2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone:[1] (202) 966-0702
FAX:[1] (202) 364-2868
Consulate(s) general:Los Angeles
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission:Ambassador Deborah K. JONES
Embassy: Bayan 36302, Block 13, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City
Mailing address:P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000
Telephone:[965] 2259-1001
FAX:[965] 2538-0282
Flag description
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side; colors and design are based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I
