Kuwait meaning fortress built near water and is bordered by Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
For a small country it is the 9th richest country and has the 5th largest oil reserve in the world. It gained independence on the 19 June 1961 from UK, was invaded by Iraq for 7 months in 1990 and has since rebuilt its economy and infrastructure. The capital is Kuwait City.
Tourism is a growing sector in the Kuwaiti industry. Popular tourist attractions include mosques, museums, Kuwait’s Failaka Island, the musical fountains, the Kuwait Towers and liberation tower and the Dhow Harbour where you can board a historic wooden ship which was used for pearl divers who risked their lives trying to obtain the best quality pearls before the discovery of oil.
Kuwait
About Kuwait
Short Name
KUW
Capital
Kuwait
Language
Arabic
Population
3,399,637
Area
17,818 km²
Calling Code
+965
National Olympic Committee
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
Kuwait Olympic Committee
NOC President
Secretary General
Recognition Year
1966
Address
P.O. Box 795, 13008 Safat
Web Address
E-mail
Contact Details
Climate
Kuwait has a warm tropical climate and flat to slightly rising and falling desert plain land. Summer, is extremely hot and dry with temperatures easily crossing 45 °C and Winter is cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13 °C with extremes from -2 °C to 27 °C.
Annual rainfall averages less than 127 mm. Spring is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms.
The frequent winds from the northwest are cool in winter and spring and hot in summer.
Southeasterly winds, usually hot and damp, hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer but a northwesterly wind can cause dramatic sandstorms.
Culture
Art is a very important part of Kuwaiti culture.
Traditional dances, including the 'ardah, which features swords and poetry singing also captures the Kuwaiti culture. Hospitality in Kuwait is often portrayed through the serving of tea and coffee.
Sports
Kuwaiti people are sport loving nation, some of the most popular sport such as football, handball, shooting and car racing.
Kuwait is also the home of the Olympic Council of Asia’s head quarters which focuses on equality, fair competition and peace through sport throughout Asia.