Kuwait

**Kuwait** *(Arabic: الكويت al-Kuwayt)*, officially the **State of Kuwait**, is a country in the Middle East. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. Kuwait also shares maritime borders with Iran. Kuwait has a coastal length of approximately 500 km (311 mi). Most of the country's population reside in the urban agglomeration of the capital and largest city Kuwait City. As of 2022, Kuwait has a population of 4.45 million people of which 1.45 million are Kuwaiti citizens while the remaining 3.00 million are foreign nationals from over 100 countries.

## History

The earliest known inhabitants of Kuwait were nomadic tribes who lived in the region around 4,000 years ago.

During the 7th century, Kuwait was a part of the Islamic empire under the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. Kuwait was an important center for trade and commerce and the local tribes became wealthy through the sale of pearls, dates, fabrics, and spices. During this period, Baghdad, the capital city of the Abbasid caliphs, became a center of learning and culture, and many Kuwaiti travelers, traders, and scholars visited the city.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese arrived in the region and established a base on the island of Hormuz. They were later expelled by the Safavid dynasty of Persia in the 17th century. During the same period, the Ottoman Empire also established a presence in Kuwait, and the country became a part of the Ottoman Province of Basra. The Ottomans used Kuwait as a base to control the Persian Gulf and to protect their trade routes.

In the early 18th century, Kuwait became an independent sheikhdom. The current ruling family, the Al-Sabah dynasty, was established in 1752 when Sheikh Sabah I became the ruler. The Al-Sabah family has continued to rule Kuwait to this day.

In the 19th century, Kuwait emerged as a major center for trade and commerce, particularly in the pearl industry. The country's economy was almost entirely based on pearl diving and trade for many years, and Kuwait became known as the "pearl of the Arabian Gulf." In the early 20th century, however, the pearl industry was decimated by the introduction of Japanese cultured pearls, leading to a significant economic decline in Kuwait.

The discovery of oil in 1938 transformed the Kuwaiti economy and brought significant wealth to the country. In the 1950s, Kuwait established itself as a major player in the oil industry, and the country rapidly developed into a modern nation. The development of the oil industry led to significant urbanization, with many Kuwaitis moving from rural areas to cities like Kuwait City.

In 1961, Kuwait declared its independence from the United Kingdom. The country's first constitution was ratified in 1962, and Kuwait became a democratic country with an elected parliament. This was followed by rapid economic development and modernization, with the establishment of institutions such as the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Kuwait Investment Authority.

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and occupied the country for seven months. The invasion led to significant damage to Kuwait's infrastructure and economy, and many Kuwaitis were forced to flee the country. The United States-led coalition intervened and forced Iraq to withdraw, and Kuwait was subsequently rebuilt with significant financial assistance from the international community.

Today, Kuwait is a democratic country with a modern economy and a high standard of living. It remains a major center for oil production and is home to a diverse population representing many different cultures and ethnic groups. The country is known for its modern architecture, including landmarks like the Kuwait Towers and the National Assembly building. Kuwait is also a leader in philanthropy and charitable giving, with institutions like the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.