Kuwait Newspapers | News websites Online.
Kuwait Overview
- Official name: State of Kuwait
- Location: Head of Persian Gulf, borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- Population (2024): 4.82 million; 1.53 million citizens, 3.29 million foreigners
Historical Background
- Inhabited since ancient times due to strategic location
- Became Sheikdom of Kuwait in 1752; British protectorate in 1899
- Discovered oil in 1938; independent state declared in June 1961
Modern History
- Major modernization from 1946 to 1982 through oil income
- Experienced geopolitical instability and economic crisis in the 1980s
- Invaded by Iraq in 1990; liberation occurred on February 26, 1991
Economic and Political Structure
- High-income economy supported by sixth largest oil reserves
- Emirates government led by Al Sabah family; Maliki Sunni Islam predominant
- Member of GCC, UN, OPEC, Arab League; currency: most valuable by 2026