Kuwait is a sovereign Arab emirate on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning "fortress built near water." It has a population of 3.1 million and an area of 17,818 km². Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and Kuwait City serves as its political and economic capital.

Kuwait has the world's fifth largest proven oil reserves and is the ninth richest country in the world per capita. Kuwait's oil fields were discovered and exploited in the 1930s and after it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1961, the nation's oil industry saw unprecedented growth. Petroleum and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income.

In 1990, Kuwait was invaded and annexed by neighboring Iraq. The seven month-long Iraqi occupations came to an end after a direct military intervention by United States-led forces. Nearly 700 Kuwaiti oil wells were set ablaze by the retreating Iraqi army resulting in a major environmental and economic catastrophe. Kuwait's infrastructure was badly damaged during the war and had to be rebuilt.

As of 2007, Kuwait's population was estimated to be 3 to 3.5 million people which included approximately 2 million non-nationals. Kuwaiti citizens are therefore a minority of those who reside in Kuwait. The government rarely grants citizenship to foreigners to maintain status quo. About 57% of the Kuwaiti population is Arab, 39% Asian (including people from South Asia), and 4% are classified Bidoon. Bidoons are a group of stateless Arab residents of Kuwait. Other large groups of expatriates include Assyrians, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Filipinos. In 2003, more than 400,000 Indian nationals lived in Kuwait, making them the largest expatriate community there. After Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation, most of the 400,000 Palestinians living in Kuwait were expelled because of their government's open support for the Iraqi forces. Only a few thousand Palestinians remain in Kuwait. The population of ethnic Armenians in Kuwait also shrank drastically following the events of the Iraq-Kuwait war.

Being a highly cosmopolitan society, Kuwait has a diverse and vibrant culture. However, the influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle is prominent. The most distinctive characteristic of local Kuwaiti culture are the diwaniyas, a large reception room used for social gatherings attended mostly by close family members. While the Islamic dress code is not compulsory, unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, many Kuwaiti men prefer wearing thawb, an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton while some women wear abaya, black over-garment covering most parts of the body. This attire is particularly well-suited for Kuwait's hot and dry climate. You can also see many people wearing European styles, especially the youth. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Kuwaiti diet for centuries.

Official Language: Arabic

Demonyn: Kuwaiti

Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)

Time Zone: AST (UTC+3)

Summer (DST): (not observed) (UTC+3)

Internet TLD: .kw

Calling Code: +965

Visa Formalities for Kuwait:

Passport Note
Married women and children may travel on the passport of their husband or father.

Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Note: 1. Nationals of the EU (except nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovak Republic and Slovenia), Australia, Canada and the USA can now obtain visas for entry into Kuwait upon arrival at the port of entry.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Types of Visa and Cost

Business, Visitor and Transit. Transit visas are not required provided passengers continue their onward journey within eight hours, hold all necessary documents for their onward journey and do not leave the airport. The fee for a visa depends on the applicant’s nationality. For UK nationals the fees are as follows: Single-entry: £30 (for three months); £48 (for six months). Multiple-entry: £66 (for six months); £75 (for one year); £96 (for two years); £135 (for five years).

Validity
Depends on nationality and purpose of visit. Validity of the visa is usually three months from date of issue. Enquire at consulate (or consular section at embassy) for further details.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info for details.

Working Days Required
10.

Warning
There is a high threat from terrorism. Al Qaeda continues to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on Western interests, including residential compounds, military, and oil, transport and aviation interests.

In early 2005, Kuwaiti security forces mounted operations against suspected militants and their safe houses, during which several suspected militants were killed or arrested. The security forces discovered bomb-making equipment and material linked with planned kidnaps. It is believed that individuals associated with these incidents are still at large and remain a threat to Western interests.

Travelers should review their security arrangements carefully. They should continue to exercise caution, particularly in public places and maintain a high level of security awareness. They should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations and exercise caution if intending to travel through or to conservative areas such as Block 7 of Fahaheel, and Jahra where there have been a significant number of incidents involving firearms.

Attractions in Kuwait:

Kuwait Towers

The Kuwait Towers are three towers of reinforced concrete in Kuwait City. The main tower is 187 metres high and serves as a restaurant and water tower. It also has a Viewing Sphere which rises to 123 meters above sea level and completes a full round turn every 30 minutes. The second tower is 145.8 metres high and serves as a water tower. The third tower houses equipment to control the flow of electricity and illuminates the two bigger towers. The towers were designed by Sune Lindström and Malene Bjorn and were built by Energoprojekt, a company from Belgrade, Serbia.

The Liberation Tower

Towering high above the city of Kuwait, this is one monument you cannot miss while gazing at the city's skyline. This popular landmark measures 372 metres, which makes it about 40 metres taller than Paris' Eiffel Tower. The Liberation Tower in Kuwait is the tallest structure situated in Kuwait. It is regarded as the symbol of Kuwaiti liberation and the unique sign of country's renaissance. The construction of the Liberation Tower in Kuwait was started before the Iraqi attack of on Kuwait on 2nd August in 1990. This tower is considered to be one of the tallest telecommunication towers in the world. Previously, it was called The Kuwait Telecommunication Tower.

Kuwait National Museum

Kuwait National Museum in Kuwait is situated between the Seif Palace and the Parliament and was planned by Michel Ecochard. It took some time for the beginning of the construction of the Kuwait National Museum and the construction finally began in 1981, though the project and plans were made long back in 1960. A tour of the Kuwait National Museum of Kuwait makes you discover the wonderful art collection of the Al-Sabah dynasty. The rich trading history of Kuwait is unfolded in the treasure trove displaying archaeological findings of the Failaka Island, various artifacts and the remnants of the ancient pear diving dhows. When you go to see the Museums in Kuwait as a part of your program of sightseeing in Kuwait then you should not miss the opportunity of visiting the Kuwait National Museum in Kuwait. This museum of Kuwait has an interesting story behind its foundation. The first house of the Kuwait National Museum in Kuwait actually served as the residence of Sheikh Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. When archaeological findings were discovered at Failaka, a place was needed for keeping them. The Department of Antiquity and Museums was also set up at this time. This department took the initiative of buying the older residence of the Al Badr family in Kuwait and it was turned into the first National Museum.

Grand Mosque in Kuwait

The Grand Mosque in Kuwait is located on the Arabian Gulf Street opposite to Al- Seif Palace. It is considered to be the largest and most modern of the mosques in this region, decorated with Islamic designs and calligraphy both on the inside and outside. The mosque covers a vast area of forty five thousand square meters and the building itself stands an area of twenty thousand square meters of space. The rest of the compound area is decorated with gardens displaying varieties of flowers, palm trees, planes fountains and waterfalls. On the eastern side of this magnanimous mosque is a courtyard of sixty five hundred square meters. It has 21 doors made of Al-sag or teak wood inscribed with Islamic geometrical patterns and verses from holy Quran. When the muezzin calls the men to offer namaaz, the main prayer court at one time accommodates nearly ten thousand men. Besides, the Friday prayer and the two Eids, other ceremonial religious functions are also observed in this court whereas the daily prayers are offered in the special court attached to the mosque and which can hold up to five hundred people at a time. Another distinct feature of this mosque is that there is an additional prayer court for women with separate entrance at the southern wall of the mosque that can hold up to nine hundred and fifty worshippers.

Amusement Park in Kuwait

The Al-Madina Al-Tarfihiya or the Entertainment city in Kuwait is one of the wonderful amusement parks in Kuwait. It is a theme park run by the Kuwait Tourist Enterprises Company (KTEC) and provides a complete package of amusements based on different Arab themes like the "Arab World", "Future World" and the "International World". The main attractions to look out for include the City of Sinbad and Ali Baba, City of Dreams, the City of Thunder and Hurricanes, the African boat, the City of Roller Coasters, and the fantasy cinema. Al-Sha'ab Leisure Park in Kuwait developed by the Kuwait Commercial Markets Complex Company, at Sha'ab on the southern coastal area of Kuwait is one of the fantastic amusement parks in Kuwait. The park attracts around 800,000 visitors every year and has huge number of major attractions along with various video games and sports. It is the first leisure institution and the first of the amusement parks at Kuwait to have ISO-9002 certification.

Kuwait sea clubs

Kuwait sea clubs are famous for delivering modern services and amenities matching the contemporary lifestyle. The sea beaches located near the sea clubs are also prime attractions of the region. The Kuwait sea clubs are equipped with swimming pools, tennis courts, gymnasiums, beaches and even ground for practicing bowling and karate. The five clubs are Fahaheel, Al Shaab, Ras Al-Ardh, B'neid Al-Gar and Bida. These KTEC sea clubs cater various facilities to meet the international demand. These sea clubs also have separate sections for women and children. There is also a sea club run by the government of Kuwait and is known as the Kuwait Sea Sports Club. The sea club is armed with facilities making your stay more delightful and pleasurable. Besides the club also organizes cultural and other social programs to entertain the visitors. Al-Shaab is another Kuwait sea club unfolding the beauty and freshness of the beaches. There are also recreational programs to enthrall its visitors. This Kuwait sea club was established in the year 1978 and stands over an area of 7,300 sq km.

Musical Fountain - Kuwait

Located near the Ice Skating Rink on the 1st Ring Road, and badly damaged during the Occupation but now fully refurbished, the Musical Fountain provides a unique and delightful sight and sound show of musical fountains, every night during summer from 6 pm to 10 pm. Entry fees are 200 fils per adult; 100 fils per child.

Sadu House in Kuwait

Sadu House in Kuwait was set up in 1980 to protect the interests of the Bedouins and their ethnic handicrafts. Kuwait Sadu House is a unique tourist attraction in that country. It is located close the National Museum in Kuwait. There are several chambers each decorated with pottered motifs of houses, mosques, storage houses and so on. Al-Baraha a roofed playground for children has been constructed inside Sadu House. For relaxation, there is the Abu Adhan cafe decorated with colorful hand-woven patterns and wooden benches.

Kuwait Scientific Center in Kuwait

Kuwait Scientific Center at Kuwait was initiated by late Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and its compound covers an area of over 80,000 square meters with the building itself covering over 18,000 square meters. This magnificent Scientific Center is a valuable gift to the nation and it houses the largest Aquarium built in the Middle East, by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of the Sciences. Kuwait Scientific Center of Kuwait serves as a Center of excellence for environmental education in the Arabian Gulf region. It has become a hot favorite both among the locals as well as the tourists is the presence of the onsite gift shops and Kuwait's favorite restaurants like Burger King and Pizza Hut. You can laze and relax in the tastefully decorated indoor dining area, or enjoy the breathtaking views across the Gulf from the outdoor dining area while munching on yummy sandwiches and pastries. You can also book special occasions like birthday parties in the restaurants.

Climate of Kuwait:

Kuwait is a desert country famous for its very dry and hot climate. If you are planning to visit Kuwait, then it is better to know about the Kuwait Climate in advance. Summer starts in Kuwait from the month of April and continues till October. The summer months are extremely hot and dry and while the normal day temperature is 33°C, it rises up to 51°C i.e. 124°F, during the months of June, July and August, with very low humidity. The months of April and October are less harsh with temperatures slowly dropping below the 40s to lower 30s. Another feature of Kuwait Climate is that it never rains during the summer months and from June to September are regarded as the driest months.
If you are really interested in traveling then the best time to be in Kuwait is during the winters. From the months of November to February Kuwait's Climate remains best for traveling. The days are cool and the average temperature stays around 13°C with the minimum going to -2°C and the maximum to 27°C. You might not find frosts everywhere but can see that in northern Kuwait. At this time of the year Kuwait receives the rainfall. Maximum rainfall occurs during the months of January to March. It ranges from 25 to 175 mm. The condition favorable to rain is created when the warm moist air from the Persian Gulf meets the cold air masses from Europe. Water temperature at the surface of the coast varies from 15°C in February to 35°C in August. Sometimes you might find thunderstorms with hail during these months. During 1997 November, due to a thunderstorm Kuwait had over ten inches of rainfall.

During this season which is also known by the name 'sarayat' season, the temperature remains neither hot nor cold but you might get to see thunderstorms. It is very common to have cloudbursts during the spring evenings though the mornings might have been bright and sunny. These cloudbursts bring sudden heavy rain damaging roads and houses. You might find sandstorms lasting for some days continuously.