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| Country Name: |
Kuwait Dawlat al Kuwayt دولة الكويت
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| 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. 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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| Area: |
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| Population: |
2,691,158 (July 2009 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups: |
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% |
| Borders: |
Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km |
| Natural Resources: |
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas |
| Capital: |
Kuwait City |
| Government Type: |
nominal constitutional monarchy |
| Independence: |
19 June 1961 (from UK) |
| Languages: |
Arabic, English |
| Currency: |
Kuwaiti Dinar |
| GMT: |
GMT (+3) |
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