And concurrently a significant port in the north-west The capital of Kuwait is located on the southern shore of the deep-sea harbor - Kuwait Bay. There are a lot of salt lakes in the city, which are filled with water after rain. Since there is no fresh water in Kuwait City, drinking water is created by industrial desalination.
The capital of Kuwait is the largest city in the state. Half of the population is indigenous and half are Indians, Iranians, Pakistanis, Lebanese, Americans and Europeans. Mostly Sunni Islam is practiced, but there are also Christians and other religions. The currency of Kuwait is the Kuwaiti dinar, the official language is Arabic.
The favorable location of Kuwait al-Kuwait suggests that the settlement was formed on this site a very long time ago. The busy sea crossroads of trade routes has always attracted the attention of the conquerors, so the territory was originally part of and then the Ottoman Empire. Somewhere in the 16th century, a small village was founded, in which fishermen and pearl divers lived. From 1889 to 1961, the territory was ruled by Great Britain, but after Kuwait declared independence.
The capital of Kuwait began to develop rapidly economically after the discovery of such a treasure immediately attracted the attention of British and American businessmen. Most of the profits were exported from the country, which did not suit the government and local oligarchs, and therefore the independence of the state was proclaimed. Kuwait is a tasty morsel for many rulers, so Nazi Germany wanted to capture it during World War II, as well as Iraq in 1990.
Today, the capital of Kuwait is a beautiful modern city with green parks and wide streets. Al-Kuwait is divided into three zones: industrial, educational and recreational, the latter is located along the seaside road leading to the city of Al-Jahara, and giving tourists a first-class vacation.
Kuwait is also of great cultural importance. Here is the National University, many libraries and museums. In the latter, you can get acquainted with archaeological and ethnographic collections, look at the products of local craftsmen. It will also be interesting to go to one of the capital's theaters. Among other things, Kuwait City has also gathered scientists from many countries of the world under its wing. Research work is carried out here in agricultural sciences, oil geology, national economics and marine biology. There is a group under the Council of Ministers that studies the history of Kuwait.
There are practically no historical sights; of all the ancient architectural monuments, only the ruins of a Greek temple, built around the 4th century, have been preserved. It should be noted that prices in Kuwait are quite high, but this country still attracts tourists. Only here you can stay in a not very expensive but comfortable hotel, walk through huge shopping malls offering cheap goods, and also relax in the park complexes of the capital.
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brief information
Small Kuwait, thanks to its huge oil reserves, is one of the richest countries in the world. Civilization on the territory of this country arose about 5 thousand years ago, so tourists have something to see there. But in addition to sightseeing, tourists in Kuwait can visit camel races, relax on the white sandy beaches on the Persian Gulf, and go in for water sports there.
Geography of Kuwait
Kuwait is located in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. Kuwait borders Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north. In the east, the shores of this country are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The area, including the adjacent islands, is 17,818 sq. km, and the total length of the state border is 462 km.
Most of the territory of Kuwait is occupied by deserts. In the west of the country there are hills, the highest of which reaches 290 m.
Kuwait consists of several islands, the largest of which are Bubiyan, Failaka and Karoo. But the largest of them is the island of Bubiyan, whose area is 863 square meters. km.
Capital
Al-Kuwait is the capital of Kuwait. About 300 thousand people now live in this city (much more with suburbs). Historians claim that Kuwait City was formed in the 18th century on the site of an ancient settlement.
Official language of Kuwait
In Kuwait, the official language is Arabic, belonging to the Semitic group of the Afroasian language family.
Religion
About 85% of the inhabitants of Kuwait are Muslims (75-80% of them are Sunnis, and the rest are Shiites), but there are also Christians (about 300-400 thousand people), Jews and Buddhists.
State structure of Kuwait
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with the Emir (or Sheikh) as head of state. The power of sheikhs is inherited. Since the 18th century, the Al-Sabah family has usurped power in Kuwait.
Legislative power belongs to the Emir and the National Assembly, consisting of 50 people elected for 4 years. The Emir has the right to dissolve the National Assembly, which in turn approves the candidacy of a prince from the Al-Sabah family for the post of Emir.
Administratively, Kuwait is divided into 6 governorates (provinces): Al-Ahmadi, Mubarak al-Kabir, Al-Jahra, El-Farwaniya, Al-Asima and Hawally.
Climate and weather
The climate in Kuwait is desert, hot and dry. The average air temperature in summer is +42-46C, and in winter - +15-20C. The average annual rainfall varies by region from 25 mm to 325 mm.
Sandstorms occur all year round, especially often in spring (February-April). Downpours that occur in some areas from October to April can even lead to flooding.
The best time to visit Kuwait is in spring when the trees and flowers are in bloom.
Sea in Kuwait
In the east, the shores of this country are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The length of the coast is 499 km. The average sea temperature off the coast of Kuwait in March is +21C, in April and May - +27C (spring is the best time to travel).
culture
The roots of the culture and traditions of Kuwait go to Islam. This religion determines all norms of behavior of Kuwaitis. All Orthodox holidays are celebrated in the country - starting with Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, and ending with Gadir-Khom and Rabi-ul-Awwal.
Camel racing is held in Kuwait from the end of winter until the end of March (races are usually held on Thursdays and Fridays). 60 camels take part in each race, the length of the track is 6 kilometers.
Every year, Kuwaitis celebrate National Day and Liberation Day (February 25 and 26) in a big way. These holidays are celebrated with fireworks, folk festivals (locals always wear traditional costumes).
Kitchen
The culinary traditions of India, Iran, and the Eastern Mediterranean have had a great influence on the formation of Kuwaiti cuisine. Also, one should not forget about the Bedouins, some of whose dishes are popular in this country. The main food products are fish and seafood, meat (lamb, chicken, less often beef), rice, dairy products.
Traditional dishes are “Khouzi” (baked lamb stuffed with rice and nuts), “Tabbouleh” (tomatoes, onions, herbs with millet), “Fattoush” (tomato and cucumber salad with mint and onions), as well as “hummus” and "dolma".
As desserts, residents eat fresh and candied fruits, sweets (for example, Umm Ali).
Traditional non-alcoholic drinks - coffee, sour-milk drinks (especially various yogurts). Alcohol is prohibited.
Sights of Kuwait
People settled on the territory of modern Kuwait about 6 thousand years ago. Despite the fact that this country has a lot of sand, quite a lot of interesting sights have been preserved there. True, most of them are located in the capital - Kuwait. The top ten best Kuwaiti attractions, in our opinion, include the following:
- "Great Mosque" in Kuwait City
- Emir Seif Palace in Kuwait City
- National Museum in Kuwait City
- Musical fountain in Kuwait
- "Red Fort" in Kuwait City
- Ruins of a Portuguese fort on Failaka Island
- "Red Fort" in Al Jasr
- Failaka Heritage Village
- Tareq Rajab Museum in Kuwait City
- Ruins of an English fort on Failaka Island
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in Kuwait are Al-Farwanya, Hawally, Al-Yahra, Al-Ahmadi, and, of course, the capital is Al-Kuwait.
The shores of Kuwait in the east are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. There are many excellent beaches along the coast, where good conditions for water sports are also created. In Kuwait City, tourists are advised to visit the following beaches: Messila, El Okeila and Sea Front. The best of them is Messila beach, which has three large multi-level pools.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists from Kuwait usually bring handicrafts, sheep wool carpets, coffee pots, jewelry, spices, and sweets.
The territory of Kuwait is confined to the East Arabian coastal plain, which has a gentle slope towards the Persian Gulf. The low flat relief of the coast is replaced by a hilly ridge in the central zone (with absolute heights of 100–200 m) and a low plateau in the extreme southwest, where the highest point of the country (281 m a.s.l.) is located. The coastal low-lying strip is replete with salt marshes, which turn into salt lakes “sebha” during the rainy season. There is no erosion network here. The central and southwestern regions of the country are deeply dissected by a network of channels of temporary streams (wadis). Within the northern half of Kuwait, rocky deserts are common, within the southern half - sandy deserts with dune relief.
Coastline length approx. 220 km. In general, the coast is slightly indented, with the exception of the central part, where the narrow Gulf of Kuwait (the only deep-water harbor on the entire western coast of the Persian Gulf) protrudes almost 50 km into the interior of the land, on the southern coast of which the capital Al Kuwait is located. The coastal zone is mostly shallow. At a short distance from the coast, a chain of low islands stretches: the largest are the heavily swampy Bubiyan and Failaka, and the smaller ones are Warba, Muskan, Aukha, Karu, Umm-en-Namil, Kurain, Umm el-Maradim.
The bowels of Kuwait are rich in oil and associated gas, the reserves of which are of world importance. According to preliminary estimates, oil resources make up about 10% of the world, and at current production rates, they will last more than 100 years.
The climate of Kuwait is tropical and dry. Two seasons are clearly expressed: dry summer (precipitation does not fall from June to September, in May and October their average amount is 1–6 mm) and wetter winter (with maximum precipitation in January 21–25 mm). In the north, less than 150 mm falls annually, and in the south, less than 100 mm. The average annual rainfall in Kuwait City is approx. 100 mm. Sometimes precipitation falls in the form of downpours, washing away roads and destroying buildings.
In the coastal zone, the average temperature in July is 37 ° C, in January + 13 ° C. Daytime temperatures in summer are very high and can reach 50 ° C in the shade, humidity is low, except for the coast. In winter, the day is usually warm and comfortable. Night frosts occasionally occur in inland areas. Dust storms (toz) often rise, which in summer are brought by the dry shimal wind blowing from the deserts of Arabia. Occasionally there are dusty tornadoes rising to a height of up to 1800 m.
There are no permanent streams and natural sources of fresh water on the territory of Kuwait, groundwater is saline. Since ancient times, Kuwaitis have mastered the art of finding aquifers and putting wells on them. Currently, fresh water is obtained by industrial desalination of sea water.
Soils are sandy, depleted in mineral and organic compounds, barren. Extremely sparse desert vegetation is represented by low-growing shrubs, semi-shrubs, and hard-leaved grasses. The most common are camel thorn (its roots up to 20 m long can reach the aquifer), some cereals (aristida, etc.), kermek, wormwood, haze (mainly saltwort). Occasionally there are gada shrubs up to 2 m high and trees such as acacia, mimosa, tal, cider and dzhurdzhub. Thickets of comb (tamarix) are confined to the coastal zone. In the deserts, after the passage of rains, brightly flowering ephemera appear for a short time. Rare oases are found in places where groundwater comes to the surface. Date palm and some vegetable crops are usually grown there.
The animal world is poor. The most numerous rodents are gerbils, jerboas, and mice. Reptiles are characterized by a significant species diversity (sand boas, Arabian cobra, horned vipers, sandy and motley ephs, gray monitor lizards, agamas, geckos). Of the predatory mammals, the fennec fox, hyena, and jackal are occasionally found. Of the ungulates, sand gazelles and gazelles are extremely rare, in the southwestern most elevated regions - wild sheep and oryx antelopes. The avifauna is more diverse. Wild pigeons, larks, bustards, grouses, doves, hoopoes, gulls, as well as such birds of prey as eagles, falcons, kites, hawks on the coast and vultures in the deserts nest. Qatar is a wintering ground for flamingos, ducks, cormorants, pelicans, herons and other waterfowl, as well as various passerine species. Locusts are numerous in the low-lying coastal regions, poisonous spiders and scorpions, ticks, phalanges, tarantulas, and so on are found in the deserts.
In coastal waters, there are up to 250 species of fish (commercial - tuna, silver mackerel, horse mackerel, sea bass, zubeidi, sardines, herring, shark, swordfish, sawfish, etc.). There are also shrimps, lobsters, squids, spiny lobsters, on the shallows there are many mollusks (pearl mussels, etc.). Sea turtles are common.
Population
Kuwait has 2257 thousand people (2004), of which 1160 thousand people do not have Kuwaiti citizenship - mostly Arabs (35%), immigrants from South Asia (9%) and Iran (4%) who arrived in Kuwait for work in the oil industry. In Kuwait and its suburbs live approx. 1.6 million people.
The population of Kuwait is predominantly of Arab origin, but African, Iranian, Indian and Pakistani peoples also took part in its formation.
The age group from 15 to 65 years prevails (approx. 69.8%), the group under 15 includes approx. 27.5%, and over 65 - less than 2.7%. The birth rate in Kuwait is estimated at 21.85 per 1000 population, the death rate - 2.44 per 1000, immigration - 14.31 per 1000. Population growth in 2004 was 3.36%. Such rates of increase in the population are associated with the return of previously expelled foreigners. Infant mortality is 10.26 per 1000 newborns.
The official language is Arabic, English is widely spoken.
The main religion is Islam. It is practiced by approximately 85% of the population (45% Sunnis and 40% Shiites). Sunni Islam is the state religion. The head of the state is the head of the Kuwaiti Muslims. Among believers there are Christians (immigrants from Syria and Lebanon, specialists from the USA and Western Europe), Hindus (immigrants from India), Parsis (Zoroastrians), etc.
The Kuwaitis trace their origins to the nomadic Beni Atban tribe of the Anaza group, who arrived at the beginning of the 18th century. from central Arabia and settled around a few wells, where fortified settlements were erected. The name of the capital Kuwait in Arabic means "small fortress". Over the next two centuries, the composition of the population was homogeneous.
The development of the oil industry after World War II brought a huge number of foreign workers to Kuwait. In the late 1980s, foreigners were dominated by Indians and Pakistanis, Palestinians, Egyptians, Lebanese, as well as people from other Arab countries and Iranians. After the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990, a significant part of the foreign workers left the country. After the end of the war, most of the Palestinians living in Kuwait (who constituted the main contingent of workers) were expelled for collaborating with the Iraqis. They were replaced by people from other Arab and South Asian countries. Obtaining Kuwaiti citizenship is fraught with great difficulties, so that immigrants are not fully integrated into the public life of the country.
State device.
The State of Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy. The country gained full independence on June 19, 1961 after the termination of the British protectorate treaty. From 1899 to 1961, Kuwait had autonomy in internal affairs, the head of state was a sheikh from the al-Sabah dynasty (this dynasty has ruled since 1756), other senior government positions were occupied by representatives of the same dynasty or other noble families. It was only after World War II that a new class of technocrats and managers emerged to share power with them. In December 1961, elections were held for the Constitutional Assembly, which was called upon to develop a draft constitution. The current constitution was approved on November 16, 1962.
According to the constitution, legislative power belongs to the Emir and the National Assembly (Parliament), consisting of 50 deputies elected for a four-year term. Only men who settled in Kuwait before 1920 or naturalized more than 30 years ago can become members of parliament. Suffrage is vested in literate male citizens who naturalized more than 30 years ago, or Kuwaitis living in the country since 1920 and earlier, and their descendants aged at least 21 years who do not serve in the army. Thus, approx. 10% of the country's population. The National Assembly also includes the entire Cabinet of Ministers. The emir has the right to veto legislative acts adopted by the parliament.
Executive power is exercised by the emir and the government (Council of Ministers). According to the constitution, the emir appoints the crown prince as head of government, as well as members of the government (on the recommendation of the prime minister).
The Kuwaiti parliament, after resuming its work in 1992, has been critical of the government's actions, especially in the field of national defense.
Political parties are banned in Kuwait, but there are political movements of Arab nationalists, Islamists and others. The WFRK has its own printed organ - the weekly magazine "Al-Amal" ("Worker").
Since 1961 Kuwait has been a member of the League of Arab States, since 1963 it has been a member of the UN and a number of other international and regional organizations. Since 1962, Kuwait has regularly provided financial assistance to developing countries through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED). The Government of Kuwait has provided interest-free loans to some Arab states. After the Arab-Israeli war of 1967, it provided financial assistance to the governments of Egypt and Jordan, and also generously helped Palestinian organizations. Large loans were provided to Iraq during its war with Iran in 1980-1988.
Economy.
Until the 1930s and 1940s, nomadic pastoralism, oasis farming, pearling and maritime intermediary trade were traditional occupations in Kuwait. The economic prosperity of Kuwait is associated with oil production. Although large oil fields in the country were discovered as early as 1938, their development began only after the Second World War. Kuwait currently ranks third in the Middle East in terms of oil production (after Saudi Arabia and Iran). In recent decades, Kuwait has pursued a policy of conserving oil resources, so after 1979 the volume of oil production has declined significantly.
Kuwait's economy suffered greatly during the Gulf War. As a result of the Iraqi occupation, a significant part of the oil-producing and oil-refining enterprises was destroyed. In addition, the country assumed obligations to compensate for the military expenses of the international coalition. After the war, large sums of money had to be spent on the restoration of the oil sector of the economy. The country's economic situation also deteriorated due to the decline in world oil prices. In addition, Kuwait occupies one of the first places in the world in terms of spending on the purchase of weapons per capita. All these factors contributed to the growth of external debt and the budget deficit. However, by 1992 Kuwait's oil industry was almost completely restored and oil production reached pre-war levels.
Thanks to higher oil prices and favorable conditions in the oil market in the 1999/2000 financial year, budget revenue increased by $2 billion compared to 1998/1999. Approximately 50% of GDP, 90% of export foreign exchange earnings and 75% of the budget are generated by the oil industry. In 2000, GDP was $29.3 billion, or $15,000 per capita, and grew by 6% over the previous year. In the structure of GDP, the share of the industrial sector is 55%, the service sector - 45%. The country's labor force is estimated at about 1.3 million people, with 68% of them being immigrants.
The largest operator of oil concessions is the government-owned Kuwait National Oil Company. Exploration and production of oil in the continental part of the Neutral Zone in the southeast of the country, on the border with Saudi Arabia, is carried out by the American company American Independent Oil, and on the shelf by the Japanese company Arabian Oil. Oil revenues from the Neutral Zone are divided equally between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Approx. 100 million tons of oil.
Leading positions among industries are occupied by oil refining and petrochemistry. Energy in Kuwait is based entirely on the use of fossil fuels. Approx. 31.6 billion kWh of electricity, which significantly exceeds its domestic consumption. Construction, production of consumer goods and fertilizers, food industry are developed. There are industrial installations for desalination of sea water. With the improvement in the quality of education, such knowledge-intensive industries as the electronics industry, etc., have developed. The banking sector is actively operating in the country, and the service sector is expanding.
Limited arable land (approximately 1% of the country's territory) and water resources significantly limit the opportunities for agricultural development. Livestock is bred and vegetables are grown in the country. Fishing is developed, the production of which satisfies 25% of domestic demand, and shrimp fishing.
Kuwait is a major exporter of oil and petroleum products. Fertilizers and shrimps are also exported. The main export partners are Japan, the USA, Singapore, the Netherlands. Kuwait imports food, building materials, cars, ready-made clothes. The main import partners are the USA, Japan, Great Britain, Germany. Foreign trade has a stable positive balance.
Thanks to the successful exploitation of huge oil reserves, Kuwait has a surplus of capital, which is directed both to foreign investment and to the implementation of numerous projects for the development of communications, roads, domestic civil engineering and social security.
Kuwait has high quality domestic and international telephony, including cell phones, radio relay lines, overhead wires, coaxial and fiber optic cables, and satellites.
The road network has a total length of 4450 km, of which more than 80% are paved. Oil and gas fields are connected to industrial centers and ports by pipelines (the length of the oil pipeline is approx. 880 km, the gas pipeline is 165 km, the wires for the transfer of petroleum products are approx. 40 km). There are six seaports in Kuwait (the largest are El-Kuwait and Mina el-Ahmadi), to which 45 heavy-duty vessels with a displacement of more than 1,000 gross register tons each are assigned (with a total displacement of about 2.5 million gross register tons) . About half of the merchant fleet is made up of oil tankers. Aviation communication is developed, both domestic and international, there are 8 airports. Helicopter communication has been established in the country.
Society.
Prior to the development of oil fields, Kuwait was an underdeveloped state with a per capita income of only $21. Nowadays, living standards have risen so significantly that Kuwaiti citizens are even able to travel abroad.
In 1936, only 2 schools worked in the country, and in the 1990s there were already more than 1,000 of them. Children of Kuwaiti citizens receive free education - from school to university. Schooling is compulsory. The system of educational institutions includes kindergarten (2 years), elementary school (4 years), incomplete secondary school (4 years), complete secondary school (4 years). In addition, programs of specialized colleges - technical, commercial, medical, pedagogical, spiritual - were built on the basis of an incomplete secondary school. Education for girls and boys is separate. By the time of the proclamation of Kuwait, most of its inhabitants were illiterate, currently about 79% of adults can read and write.
In 1966, the Kuwait University was opened, which became the largest educational institution in the Persian Gulf. In addition, hundreds of students receive higher education abroad - in Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Great Britain, the USA.
During the years of the "oil boom" the health situation improved significantly. After World War II, there was only one hospital in Kuwait. Dozens of clinics, hospitals, maternity hospitals, and medical centers are currently operating. Medical care for native and naturalized Kuwaitis is free. In Kuwait, epidemic diseases have been practically eliminated, preventive work has been established, large medical treatment and research centers are operating, in particular, the As-Sabah hospital. Although the health care sector suffered great damage as a result of the Iraqi occupation of 1990-1991, it has now been restored.
Story.
Archaeological discoveries on Failaka Island, located at the entrance to Kuwait Bay, indicate that the island was inhabited as early as the 3rd millennium BC. It was probably part of the ancient kingdom of Dilmun (centered on Bahrain). During the era of the empire of Alexander the Great (end of the 4th century BC), there was a fortified Greek city and a seaport on Failaka Island.
From the 7th c. AD the territory of Kuwait was part of the Arab Caliphate, first under the rule of the Umayyads (661–750), then under the Abbasids (750–1258). From the 13th century until the end of the 15th century. the territory of modern Kuwait, then called Kurain, was ruled by the sheikhs of the local Arab tribes of the Beni Khaled, Beni Hajar, Beni Muteir, Beni Kaab. At the beginning of the 16th century in the Persian Gulf, the influence of the Portuguese increased. However, the leaders of the Ben Khaled tribe, relying on the support of the Ottoman Empire, managed to maintain the independence of the Emirate of Kurain from both the Portuguese and the Turks, despite the fact that the latter repeatedly occupied its territory.
At the beginning of the 17th century. the Portuguese were expelled, but France, the Netherlands and Great Britain entered the struggle for the coastal regions of the Persian Gulf. The Ottoman Empire and Persia still contested their dominance. Although in the middle of the 17th century. Kurane was again occupied by the Turks and formally incorporated into the Ottoman Empire, where strong local power was maintained. In 1680, during the reign of Sheikh Barraq al-Hamid (1669–1682), the fortified port city of Kuwait was built. Qurayn reached its peak under the wise rule of Sheikh Sadun al-Hamid (1691-1722), who was the head of the Arab Beni Khaled tribe and managed to maintain peaceful relations with neighboring states. Under him, the Arabs of the Beni Atban tribe settled on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the region of Al-Kuwait, headed by several influential clans, but later only the al-Sabah clan settled there. In 1756, Sheikh Sabah ibn Jaber al-Sabah united all the tribes living in Kuwait into a single state entity, the Emirate of Kuwait. In 1760, the city of Kuwait, in which the bulk of the population of the emirate was concentrated, was surrounded by a wall. By the end of the 18th century the strengthened state of the Saudis in Central Arabia extended its influence all the way to the coast of the Persian Gulf, but it failed to conquer Kuwait. In 1777, the British persuaded the Emir of Kuwait, Abdullah ibn Sabah al-Sabah, to establish friendly relations with Great Britain. In 1793, a trading post of the East India Company was founded in El Kuwait, which sought to monopolize trade in this region.
Throughout the 19th century, despite pressure from England, the rulers of Kuwait did not agree to establish treaty relations with her. In the early 1870s, Kuwait received the status of a qazi (county) of the Basor vilayet of the Ottoman Empire, and the emir was recognized as the governor of the sultan.
Kuwait attracted special attention from the European powers at the end of the 19th century. in connection with the German plan to stretch the Baghdad railway to the port of Kuwait. Meanwhile, Great Britain feared the strengthening of the German presence in the Persian Gulf. Sheikh Mubarak ibn Sabah al-Sabah, seeking to protect the country from the Turkish invasion, in 1899 signed a secret agreement with Great Britain, according to which the latter was to be responsible for the foreign policy of Kuwait. Thus, Kuwait actually turned into an English protectorate.
In July 1913, Turkey signed a convention with Britain, in accordance with which it recognized the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899. In October 1913, a new Anglo-Kuwaiti agreement was concluded, according to which Great Britain was endowed with exclusive rights to explore, extract and transport oil in Kuwait. In June 1914, Germany ceded to Great Britain the right to build a section of the Basra-El-Kuwait railway. In November of the same year, Great Britain recognized Kuwait as an independent principality under British protectorate.
In 1918–1922, Kuwait became involved in border conflicts with Najd (where the Saudis ruled) and Iraq. Great Britain took an active part in the settlement of the foreign policy situation. Through the mediation of its representatives, in December 1922, an agreement was signed on the transfer of part of the territory of Najd to Kuwait and Iraq and the creation of border Kuwait-Saudi and Iraqi-Saudi zones (since 1942 received the status of the Neutral Zone), free for nomads. In April 1923, the British contributed to the inclusion of the islands belonging to Iraq, located at the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab River, into Kuwait. Since 1927, Kuwait has effectively become a British colony.
In accordance with the notes exchanged between the governments of the two countries on June 19, 1961, Great Britain renounced its rights in Kuwait and the independence of the State of Kuwait was proclaimed. Six days later, Iraq declared its sovereignty over these lands. Kuwait immediately turned to Britain and Saudi Arabia for military assistance, and applied to join the UN and the Arab League. Over the next few days, under the pretext of moving Iraqi troops to the Iraqi-Kuwait border, approx. 6 thousand British and Saudi soldiers.
In August 1962, British troops, by decision of the League of Arab States, were replaced by Sudanese, Jordanian and Egyptian units. The tension subsided, but relations between Iraq and Kuwait improved significantly only after 1963. At the same time, the “security forces” of the Arab League in Kuwait were evacuated. In 1968, an agreement was annulled between Kuwait and Great Britain, according to which the latter was obliged to provide military assistance to Kuwait.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Kuwait quickly enriched itself through oil exports. The funds received were directed by the government to the development of the economy and the social sphere within the country, investments in Western countries, assistance to Islamic states and support for such Arab nationalist organizations as the Palestine Liberation Organization. In the 1970s, most of the oil industry was nationalized, and oil production was limited in order to preserve its reserves.
Although Kuwait was able to provide a high standard of living for the population, all the power and wealth in the country was controlled by members of the ruling family and their allies, and some social programs extended only to native Kuwaitis. The economic success of Kuwait favored mass immigration, and already in the 1970s, the majority of the population was from other countries. In connection with the prevailing unfavorable political situation, the emir dissolved the parliament in 1976, which did not function until 1981. Some articles of the constitution were also suspended. A new National Assembly was elected in 1981 and then dissolved in 1986.
Kuwait at the end of the 20th century - early 21st century
On August 2, 1990, a hundred thousandth Iraqi army invaded Kuwait, and Iraq announced the annexation of Kuwait. Hundreds of thousands of people fled the country; thousands of those who remained were arrested or killed. The Iraqis looted or burned almost every civilian facility and set fire to 700 oil wells. These fires have had unprecedented negative impacts on the environment. On January 17, 1991, based on the decision of the UN Security Council, an action began to liberate Kuwait by a coalition of 29 countries led by the United States. By February 26, the country was completely liberated. After the restoration of the power of the al-Sabah dynasty, mass arrests took place in the country. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were deported.
In order to guarantee its security, Kuwait entered into military cooperation agreements with the United States, Britain, France and Russia in the early 1990s. Kuwait agreed to expand the American military presence on its territory, stationing the equipment of the American army brigade and basing the US Air Force and other allies.
The country remains concerned about Iraq's intentions, so that Kuwait remains the most active supporter of the US policy of containment of Iraq. Kuwait spends heavily on strengthening its armed forces. Its military budget in 2000/2001 was 8.7% of GDP.
Immediately after the end of the Gulf War, Kuwait began to restore the destroyed economy, but the fall in world oil prices held back this process. Nevertheless, already in July 1991, Kuwait resumed oil exports. In 1993, export earnings exceeded pre-war levels. By 1994, the oil refining industry was almost completely restored.
The first post-war parliamentary elections were held in 1992, and then in 1996 and 1999. Since December 31, 1977, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah has been the head of state (Emir of the State of Kuwait). The government was headed by Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdallah al-Salem al-Sabah. On January 15, 2006, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, died at the age of 77. Power passed to the 75-year-old crown prince. On January 24, 2006, the country's parliament adopted a decision, confirmed by the conclusion of the medical commission, to deny him the right to inherit the throne due to poor health. The 75-year-old Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, who has been heading the government since 2003, was proclaimed the new Emir of Kuwait. In 2006, Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammed al-Sabah, the nephew of the Emir of Kuwait, became Prime Minister.
Government services operate in the country: the Kuwait News Agency (since 1976), the Kuwait Broadcasting Service (since 1951), and Kuwait Television (since 1961). In Kuwait, about a dozen daily and weekly newspapers, as well as several magazines, are published in mass circulation, mainly in Arabic. The largest publication is the monthly magazine "Al-Arabi" ("Arab", about 350 thousand copies), covering political and economic news and scientific achievements. The daily newspapers Al-Anba (Izvestiya, 80,000), Al-Watan (Motherland, 56.8 thousand copies), Al-Kabas (Knowledge, 90 thousand copies), “Ar-Ray al-Amm” (“Public Opinion”, 86.9 thousand copies) with the weekly supplement “An-Nahda” (“Rise”, 148.5 thousand copies) and the weekly newspapers Al-Hadaf (The Goal, 153,000 copies) and Al-Yakza (Awakening, 91,300 copies). There are two English-language newspapers, Arab Times (31,100 copies) and Kuwait Times (30,000 copies).
In November 2011, thousands of people protested. The parliamentary opposition boycotted the parliament session. From 16 to 17 November, demonstrators broke into the parliament building demanding the resignation of the prime minister and were violently dispersed by the police. 45 protesters were arrested.
There have been several government resignations in Kuwait over the past few years. On November 28, 2011, the Cabinet of Ministers resigned, with the exception of Prime Minister Nasser al-Sabah. The last resignation was caused by the past thousands of demonstrations in the capital. This was the first time such mass protests had taken place since the country's independence. The opposition demanded that corrupt officials from the government be prosecuted and the arrested participants in the seizure of parliament in November 2011 be released.
In October 2012, the head of state, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament after several months of political stagnation. The Islamist opposition then called on its supporters to demonstrate, considering the new electoral law unconstitutional.
In early December 2012, in early parliamentary elections, representatives of the Shiite minority for the first time won about a third of the seats in the National Assembly - 15 out of 50 deputy mandates.
Literature:
Mikhin V.L. Kuwait. M., 1984
Melkumyan E.S. Kuwait. - In the book: The latest history of the Arab countries of Asia. 1917–1985 M., 1988
State of Kuwait: A Handbook. M., 1990
Kuwait: social development. Leadership, planning, popular participation and humanistic orientations. M., 1997
Kuwait. St. Petersburg, 2000
KUWAIT, State of Kuwait (Daulat al-Kuwait).
General information
Kuwait is a state in Western Asia. It is located in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula and the islands of the Persian Gulf (Bubyan, Failaka, Muskan, Varba, etc.). It borders Iraq to the north and west and Saudi Arabia to the south. In the east it is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf (the length of the coastline is 499 km). The area is 17.8 thousand km 2. Population 2906.7 thousand people (2008). The capital is Kuwait City. The official language is Arabic. The monetary unit is the Kuwaiti dinar. Administrative-territorial division: 6 governorates (table).
Kuwait is a member of the UN (1963), IMF (1962), IBRD (1962), OPEC (1960), Arab League (1961), Organization of the Islamic Conference (1969), WTO (1995), Gulf Cooperation Council (1981).
A. I. Voropaev.
Political system
Kuwait is a unitary state. The constitution was approved on 11/11/1962. The form of government is a constitutional monarchy.
The head of state is the emir. Legislative power belongs to the emir and the National Assembly, executive power - to the emir and the Council of Ministers. Kuwait is a "hereditary emirate" of the al-Sabah family. The emir appoints the crown prince. His candidacy must be approved by members of the ruling family and approved by the National Assembly. If the National Assembly rejects the candidature proposed by the Emir, the Emir is obliged to present three other candidates from the ruling family, and the National Assembly to choose one of them.
The legislature is a unicameral parliament (National Assembly). It consists of 50 deputies elected by direct secret ballot, as well as 15 members of the government ex officio. The term of office is 4 years.
The emir appoints the prime minister and on his recommendation the ministers. He also dismisses them. The cabinet is collectively responsible to the emir for the policy pursued; each minister is individually responsible for the activities of his ministry. The crown prince has traditionally been appointed head of government, since 2003 the posts of crown prince and prime minister have been separated.
Political parties are banned in Kuwait.
Nature
Relief. The shores are mostly low-lying, leveled, the only large bay of Kuwait protrudes inland for 40 km. Off the northern coast there is a group of low-lying deltaic islands (Bubyan, Varba, etc.), marshy, bordered by shallows. Off Kuwait Bay is the only inhabited island of Failaka. Most of the territory is a desert plain (height up to 290 m - the highest point of the country), falling towards the Persian Gulf. In the north, rocky deserts, crossed by deep dry channels of wadi (the largest El-Batin - along the western border of the country) prevail, in the central and southern parts - sandy deserts with areas of dune relief.
Geological structure and minerals. In tectonic terms, the territory of Kuwait is located within the northeastern margin of the Precambrian Arabian platform, in the Basra-Kuwait basin. The folded-metamorphic basement of the platform is overlain by Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic carbonate and terrigenous deposits of the sedimentary cover about 9 km thick, which are folded into a series of large gentle anticlines forming the so-called Kuwait arc or swell. The thickness of the Cretaceous (up to 2000-2400 m) and Paleogene (up to 800-900 m) deposits is increased compared to the adjacent areas of the platform. The main mineral wealth of the country is oil, according to the proven reserves of which Kuwait ranks 7th in the world (2008). The most important part of the section in terms of oil and gas content is Cretaceous sandstones with high reservoir properties, occurring at a depth of 970-3000 m. The entire territory of Kuwait with the adjacent water area belongs to the Persian Gulf oil and gas basin. The main giant oil fields are included in the Bolshoy Burgan group of oil fields; The Er-Raudatain, Sabriya, and other deposits are also large in terms of reserves. Kuwait also has deposits of natural combustible gas, cement raw materials (limestone), and rock salt.
Climate. Kuwait has a tropical desert climate. The annual amount of precipitation is 75-150 mm, rain falls mainly in the form of showers in the winter season. In some years, only 25 mm of precipitation falls. Most of the year the weather is stable and hot (average temperatures in July are 36-37°С, the absolute maximum is 52°С); the most favorable time is winter (average temperatures in December - January 12-14°C). Occasionally, nighttime temperatures drop to 0°C. From May to October, dry northwestern winds (shimal) blow, accompanied by dust and sand storms.
Inland waters. In Kuwait, there is an acute problem of water supply. There are no permanent streams or lakes. There are underground aquifers: in the north (Er-Raudatain) - freshwater; in the south (Es-Subaihiya) - mineralized to varying degrees. The main source of water supply is desalinated sea water (up to 231 million m 3 of water per year); in 1953 a complete technological cycle of water desalination was created; Kuwait occupies one of the leading places in the world in terms of the capacity of desalination plants. The annual water withdrawal is 0.9 km 3: 54% of the water goes to the needs of agriculture (irrigated land occupies less than 1% of the territory), 44% - to domestic water supply, 2% is consumed by industrial enterprises.
Soils, flora and fauna. The flora includes only 234 species of higher vascular plants. The sparse desert vegetation is represented mainly by salt-tolerant species of grasses and semi-shrubs (sveda, kermek, camel's thorn, haze), cereals (aristida) and low-growing shrubs (reptile, desert acacia), after rains, ephemera appear for a short time. Tamariks grow in the coastal strip. Oases with date palm, corn and millet crops are rare. Soils - desert stony (including gypsum-bearing), sandy desert and salt marshes (on the coast).
Of the mammals (21 species inhabit, the Arabian oryx is endangered), there are pygmy gerbils, tarbagan, goitered gazelle, dromedary, sand gazelle, fennec fox, jackal, striped hyena, etc. 35 species of nesting birds are known (including 7 endangered disappearance); on the coasts - wintering places for waterfowl and near-water birds of the Northern Hemisphere (pink flamingos, cormorants, various ducks, etc.). Of the terrestrial reptiles (about 30 species), snakes (boa constrictors, efas, vipers), agamas, geckos, lizards are common, and of marine - sea snakes and turtles. The waters of the Persian Gulf are rich in fish (about 250 species; sharks, tuna, mackerel, sardines, horse mackerel); shrimps, lobsters, lobsters, etc. are widespread; edible shellfish (oysters, mussels), as well as pearl mussels, are abundant.
Serious damage to the nature of Kuwait was caused by military conflicts with Iraq, which provoked environmental pollution and the destruction of desert landscapes. After the end of the last conflict in a number of areas, measures were taken to restore the natural environment and create new protected natural areas. Their network (about 2% of the area of Kuwait, 2004) includes the scientific reserve station Es-Sulaibiya (the oldest protected area in the country, 1975), Cape Ez-Zour National Park, 3 marine parks, etc.
Lit .: Countries and peoples. Foreign Asia. General review. Southwest Asia. M., 1979; All Asia. Gazetteer. M., 2003.
N. N. Alekseeva.
Population
The majority of the population (71.2%) of Kuwait are Arabs: Kuwaitis - 57.8% (including Bedouins - 10%), Iraqis - 3.8%, Levantines - 3.6%, Egyptians - 2.2%, Palestinians - 1.9%, Yemenis - 0.9% (including Mahra - 0.7%), Omani Arabs - 0.5%, Syrians - 0.5%. Kurds account for 10.6%, Persians - 4.6%, Armenians - 0.9%; immigrants from South Asia - 8% (including Malayali - 7.5%, Punjabis - 0.2%), Filipinos - 3.4%. Among others - Assyrians, British, Americans, French, Chinese.
The population of Kuwait in 1961-2008 increased by more than 9 times (321.6 thousand people in 1961; 1.87 million people in 1998; 2.2 million in 2005) due to the high birth rate (21.9 per 1000 inhabitants) significantly exceeding the death rate (2.4 per 1000 inhabitants), and a massive influx of foreign labor since the 1950s, after the start of industrial exploitation of oil fields (the balance of external migration is 16.4 per 1000 inhabitants; 2008). Fertility rate 2.8 children per woman; infant mortality 9.2 per 1000 live births (2008). The age structure is dominated by the population of working age (15-64 years old) - 70.6%, the proportion of children (under 15 years old) - 26.5%, persons over 65 years old - 2.9%. The average age of the population is 26.1 years (2008). Average life expectancy is 77.6 years (men - 76.4, women - 78.7 years). There are 153 men for every 100 women. The average population density is 163.3 people/km2 (2008). The most densely populated are the eastern regions of the country (the average population density in the governorate of Hawally is 6372.5 people / km 2). About 96% of the country's population lives in cities. Largest cities (thousands of people, 2008): Jalib al-Shuyuh 177.9, Sabah es-Salim 141.7, Es-Salimiya 134.5, Al-Qurain 131.1.
Economically active population 2.1 million (of which about 80% are foreign workers; 2007). According to official figures, the unemployment rate is 2.2% (2004).
A. I. Voropaev.
Religion
The majority of the population is Muslim (85%), including up to 65% Sunnis and about 30-35% Shnt-Imamits. There are small communities of other currents and persuasions in Islam, including Wahhabis. More than 110 Sunni mosques, 41 Shiite mosques are registered, hundreds of Shiite prayer houses (husseiniya) operate. Due to the massive influx of immigrants from the Arab countries of the Near and Middle East, India, Pakistan, the number of other faiths is growing, making up to 15% of the inhabitants of Kuwait (2008, estimate). Religious minorities are represented by Catholics (6.16%), various Protestant denominations (2.14%), followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhs, Bahais, etc.
The state religion of Kuwait is Sunni Islam. Missionary activities of other faiths among Muslims are prohibited. Of the Christian churches in Kuwait, the Roman Catholic (there is 1 apostolic vicariate, 4 parishes), Evangelical, Anglican, Coptic, Antiochian Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Armenian Apostolic churches are officially registered. There are various unregistered religious associations.
Historical outline
Kuwait from ancient times to the end of the 19th century. Archaeological excavations on the island of Failaka at the entrance to Kuwait Bay indicate that the territory of modern Kuwait was inhabited from the 3rd millennium BC and was part of the state of Dilmun. In the 2nd half of the 2nd millennium BC, it was subordinated to Babylonia, in the middle of the 8th century - to the New Assyrian state (see Assyria), and in 626 it returned to the rule of Babylon. In 539 BC, it was annexed to the Persian state, conquered in the 4th century BC by Alexander the Great. Since the end of the 4th century BC, it has been part of the Seleucid state (on the island of Failaka, the remains of a fortress city of this period were found, as well as the ruins of a Greek temple and a workshop for the production of terracotta figurines). Subsequently, the territory of Kuwait was part of the Arab state of Harakena, which arose around 129 BC on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and fought against Parthia. From the 7th century AD under the rule of the Caliphate. After the capture of Baghdad in 1258 by the Mongol troops and until the end of the 15th century, the territory of Kuwait was ruled by sheikhs of local Arab tribes. In the 1st half of the 16th century, the Portuguese tried to establish themselves here, but were expelled by Sultan Suleiman I Kanuni. From the middle of the 16th century, a struggle between the Ottomans and the Safavids began for the lands adjacent to the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. In the 16th century, the territory of Kuwait was finally conquered by the Ottoman Empire, later it became part of the Basor vilayet. The local ruler received the title of kaymakam (governor) and had the right to pursue an independent domestic policy. In the 2nd half of the 17th century, in the context of the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, the territory of Kuwait became part of the Banu Khalid emirate (nominally dependent on the Turkish sultan), founded by the Anase tribal association (Anaiza, Aniza), which came from the interior of the Arabian Peninsula. At the beginning of the 18th century, the Banu-Atban, an association related to the Anazi, using the patronage of the emir, settled in Banu Khalid, where it was divided into several branches (the territory of Kuwait was occupied by the al-Sabah branch around 1716). In the last quarter of the 18th century, as a result of the weakening of the Banu Khalid in the fight against the Wahhabi Saudi emirate, the Banu Atban gained independence. In 1756, Sheikh Sabah ibn Jaber al-Sabah (1752-62) united under his rule all the tribes living in Kuwait and formed the emirate of Kuwait (until 1937 the rulers of Kuwait bore the title of sheikhs).
Under his successor, Sheikh Abdullah I ibn Sabah al-Sabah (1762, according to other sources, 1776-1814), Kuwait became the center of intermediary trade between India and the West, which contributed to the growth of the country's welfare and an increase in its merchant fleet. Pearl fishing was also an important source of income for the emirate. The population of the interior was mainly engaged in nomadic pastoralism.
The Sabah dynasty pursued a flexible foreign policy, maintaining peace with the Ottoman rulers of Basra and the Saudis. In border disputes with neighbors, the sheikhs of Kuwait often turned to residents of the British East India Company (OIC) for support, which began to penetrate the Persian Gulf region from the 1760s. In the 1790s, with the support of the British fleet, the emirate repulsed the invasion of the Saudi troops. In 1793, in exchange for military assistance, the British government obtained permission from the sheikh to establish an OIC trading post in the city of El Kuwait. In 1798-99 the company defended Kuwait from Wahhabi attacks. British positions in Kuwait were strengthened under Muhammad al-Sabah al-Sabah (1892, according to other sources, 1893-1896). The tone of government policy was set by the brother of the Sheikh's wife, Yusuf Ibrahim, who was associated with the OIC. He granted the British-Indian Steamship Company the opportunity to operate regular services to El Kuwait, as well as the right to free production and sale of pearls. Mubarak ibn Sabah, half-brother of Muhammad al-Sabah al-Sabah, dissatisfied with the latter's pro-British policy, organized a conspiracy in May 1896 and seized power (became known as Mubarak al-Lahab ibn Sabah al-Sabah the Great; ruled until 1915). The new ruler sought to create an independent state and expand its borders. In the late 1890s, a number of reforms were carried out in Kuwait: a post and telegraph office, a mubarakiya (secular school for boys) and a hospital were opened, and Turkish specialists were recruited to train the Kuwaiti military. However, the country's economy was made dependent on British capital. The British occupied a dominant position in various areas of business, owned 1/7 of the cultivated land.
In 1897-99, the contradictions between Kuwait and the Ottoman Empire escalated, threatening to seize the possessions of the Sabahs in Iran and sent troops to this region. The sheikh was forced to turn to Britain for help. In January 1899, a secret agreement was concluded between Mubarak and the British resident, according to which the government of Kuwait undertook not to enter into relations with other states without the consent of Great Britain.
Kuwait in the 20th - early 21st century. In 1900, the contradictions between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire intensified in connection with the granting by the Sultan in 1899 to Deutsche Bank of the right of preliminary concession for the construction of the Baghdad railway, which, as originally planned, was to pass through the territory of Kuwait. The arrival of the German mission in Kuwait was perceived by London as a threat to its positions in the region. In September 1901, an agreement was signed between Great Britain and the Ottoman Empire on the status quo in Kuwait, according to which the British government undertook not to declare a protectorate over Kuwait, and Turkey - not to send troops to its territory. However, in 1902, the Sultan, with the support of the German government, demanded from Mubarak recognition of the supreme power of the Ottoman Empire and consent to the presence of the Turkish garrison in the country. In response to these actions, Great Britain in 1903 brought its ships into El Kuwait, and the British Foreign Secretary, Lord H. C. Lansdowne, officially announced the contents of the Anglo-Kuwait Treaty of 1899 for the first time. In 1904, a British political agent was appointed to Kuwait to comply with its terms. ; Great Britain received the right to service the postal service in the emirate. On July 29, 1913, Turkey signed an agreement with Great Britain, according to which Kuwait retreated into the zone of British influence, but remained part of the Ottoman Empire as an autonomous region. In November 1914, a new treaty was concluded between Great Britain and Kuwait, which turned Kuwait into a principality independent of the Ottoman Empire under British protectorate.
By the beginning of the 20th century, as a result of the activities of British entrepreneurs, industrial production arose in Kuwait, which coexisted with traditional crafts. After the discovery of oil in Kuwait in 1910, the emirate became the object of rivalry between Great Britain and the United States. In 1913 Great Britain received exclusive rights to explore and extract oil in Kuwait.
In 1917-22, Kuwait came into conflict with the Saudis over territorial disputes. In the spring of 1920, the Kuwaiti troops were defeated at the Battle of El Jahra. From April 1920 to October 1921, most of the country was occupied by the Saudi army. In November - December 1922, at the Uqair Conference, mediated by London, the parties to the conflict signed an agreement on the transfer of part of the territory of Kuwait to the Saudis and the creation of a Kuwaiti-Saudi border zone (since 1942, the Neutral Zone). In April 1923, the British contributed to the inclusion in Kuwait of a number of islands located at the mouth of the Shatt al-Arab River.
Despite the pro-British orientation of Emir Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah (1921-50), in 1927 he transferred the oil concession in Kuwait to the American company Eastern Gulf Oil. Great Britain, under pressure from the United States, was forced to compromise and form the Kuwait Oil Company, in which the British and Americans participated on an equal basis (in 1934 it received a monopoly on the exploration and production of oil in Kuwait).
In the context of the global economic crisis of 1929-33, Kuwait's economy, which was mainly export-oriented, experienced significant difficulties. The competition for Kuwaiti pearls in the world market was made by cheaper artificial Japanese pearls. Oil revenues did not cover the budget deficit. Its production until 1938 remained minimal.
In the mid-1930s, a Young Kuwaiti movement arose in the emirate, advocating the democratization of society, the implementation of social reforms and the pursuit of an independent domestic and foreign policy. In an effort to prevent the strengthening of the movement, in the summer of 1938 the emir approved a constitution that significantly curtailed his power and granted significant rights to the Legislative Council. However, in 1939, with the support of the British, he put into effect a new constitution, according to which he gave himself the right to dissolve the Legislative Council, as well as the right to veto all its decisions. The constitution declared Kuwait an Arab state under British protectorate.
With the beginning of the 2nd World War, due to the reduction in transit trade, the economic situation of Kuwait worsened. Famine began in the country. The calls of the Young Kuwaitis to overthrow the pro-British government received a wide response in the country. The emir's government and the British administration responded with brutal repressions, the Young Kuwaiti movement was completely crushed. However, the Kuwaiti authorities managed to stabilize the domestic political situation only after the end of the war. Since 1946 "Kuwait Oil Co." started oil production on an industrial scale. At the end of 1951, the government of Kuwait achieved a revision of the terms of the agreements with the company. It was decided to increase her concession payments to the budget of Kuwait (she began to transfer up to 50% of her income to it). This made it possible to increase allocations to the social sphere. In 1950, Emir Abdullah III al-Salem al-Sabah (1950-65), with the assistance of British advisers, developed an economic development plan that included the construction of roads, an airfield, power plants and seawater desalination plants. The intensive development of oil fields and the development of a number of industries associated with it caused a massive influx of workers and specialists from the Arab countries, as well as India, Pakistan and Iran, to Kuwait.
Anti-British sentiment in Kuwait intensified in connection with the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 and the Suez Crisis of 1956. In June 1961, an agreement was signed to cancel the Anglo-Kuwaiti Treaty of 1899.
On June 19, 1961, Kuwait's independence was proclaimed. On June 25, 1961, the head of the Iraqi Government, A. K. Kasem, demanded the annexation of Kuwait to Iraq on the grounds that during the Ottoman Empire, it, like most of the modern Iraqi state, was part of the Basor vilayet. The Kuwaiti authorities again turned to Great Britain for help, and British troops were brought into the country.
Kuwait 20/7/1961 became a member of the League of Arab States (LAS); in September 1961 the British Armed Forces in Kuwait were replaced by military contingents from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria and Tunisia. The National Council of the Revolutionary Command, which came to power in Iraq in February 1963, renounced claims to Kuwait territory and settled relations with it.
The acute crisis in relations with Iraq contributed to the internal consolidation of Kuwait and the implementation of reforms. On November 16, 1962, a new Constitution was adopted. The emir, declared an inviolable person, received wide powers. The highest legislative power was assigned to the emir and the elected National Assembly, the highest executive power - to the emir and the government. The activities of political parties were banned, but the creation of socio-political associations and clubs was allowed. An important role was played by feminist as well as Islamist organizations (mainly the Society for Social Reform, created by supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood movement). On January 23, 1963, the first parliamentary elections were held in Kuwait. On January 29, 1963, the first National Assembly was convened. By the mid-1960s, an opposition group was formed in it, led by the leader of the Arab Nationalist Movement, Ahmed al-Khatib. Since the second half of the 1960s, the positions of supporters of the nationalization of oil fields have also strengthened in parliament. With the outbreak of the so-called Six-Day Arab-Israeli War of 1967 (see Arab-Israeli Wars), Emir Sabah III al-Salem al-Sabah (1965-77) announced the cessation of oil supplies to Great Britain and the United States, but did not break off relations with them. After the defeat of the Arab countries, Kuwait relied on rapprochement with Saudi Arabia and Libya. In 1968, the leaders of these countries announced the creation of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC). The energy crisis of 1973-1974 strengthened Kuwait's desire to independently manage its oil resources: in 1975, the government announced the transfer of all ownership of Kuwait Oil Co. into the hands of the state.
In August 1976, an acute political crisis erupted in the country. Emir Sabah III al-Salem al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly by a special decree. This caused mass protests of the population, led to the intensification of the activities of extremist Islamist organizations. The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 had a significant impact on public sentiment in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti authorities, concerned about the scale of anti-government protests, decided to restore the activities of the parliament. In February 1981, elections to the National Assembly were held. The victory was won by conservative circles that supported the course of the government. However, the Kuwaiti authorities failed to stabilize the situation in the country. In the early 1980s, Kuwait's economic situation deteriorated as a result of a sharp drop in oil prices; in 1982-83 there was a budget deficit ($100 million; subsequently eliminated thanks to foreign investment). The Iran-Iraq war of 1980-88, a series of terrorist attacks (1983, 1985) and an assassination attempt on the emir in 1985, organized in Kuwait by one of the Iranian extremist organizations, increased internal political tension. Foreigners began to be expelled from Kuwait en masse, and the activities of the National Assembly were again suspended in 1986.
The main problem of Kuwait's foreign and defense policy during this period was to ensure national security. Kuwait tried to solve it by strengthening its own military potential. In the early 1990s, Kuwait's relations with Iraq again deteriorated (see the Kuwait crisis of 1990-91). On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops occupied Kuwait. On February 28, 1991, he was liberated by the forces of the anti-Iraq coalition during Operation Desert Storm. The military conflict with Iraq forced the Kuwaiti authorities to abandon the previous concept of ensuring national security based on their own forces. In September 1991, Kuwait and the United States signed an agreement on cooperation in the military sphere for a period of 10 years. In February 1991, a similar agreement was concluded with Great Britain, in August of the same year - with France, in December 1993 - with Russia.
In 1992, the National Assembly of Kuwait resumed its work. The Kuwaiti authorities during this period paid much attention to the fight against financial abuse and corruption. In January 1993, a law was passed obliging all state-owned companies and investment organizations to conduct their accounts through a single audit company accountable to a parliamentary commission. The National Assembly also gained control over defense contracts and the use of public funds. In 1998, in connection with a new drop in oil prices, the government raised the issue of the need for economic reforms, including the privatization of oil industry enterprises (the privatization plan was made public in 2006). In the late 1990s and early 2000s, measures were taken to attract additional foreign investment to the country's economy.
In 2003, Kuwait actively supported the United States and its allies in preparing and conducting a military operation to overthrow the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq. The Kuwaiti authorities provided their territory for the deployment of anti-Iraqi coalition forces. In December 2004, the emirate joined the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, which provides for the strengthening of NATO's presence in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.
In January 2006, a new political crisis erupted in Kuwait. After the death of Emir Jaber III al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah (1977-2006), the parliament took the initiative to elect a new ruler due to the illness of the crown prince and the impossibility for him to take over the government. The National Assembly elected Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah as the new Emir of Kuwait. The crisis escalated in May 2006, after the National Assembly demanded that the prime minister submit a report on the work of the government (this procedure is provided for by the Constitution of Kuwait, but until then it was not practiced). On May 21, 2006, the emir issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly and holding new elections (held in June 2006). In March 2008, Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah again dissolved parliament and called early elections (held in May 2008).
Diplomatic relations between Kuwait and the USSR were established on March 11, 1963. In February 2008, the Russian-Kuwaiti Business Council was formed within the framework of the Russian-Arab Business Council. At the level of the leadership of the two countries, the practice of exchanging messages and visits has been developed, contacts have been established through the parliamentary line. The parties are pursuing a policy of expanding cooperation in the trade, economic and investment spheres.
Lit.: Dickson H. R. R. Kuwait and her neighbors. L., 1956, Kelly J. B. Britain and the Persian Gulf, 1795-1880. Oxf., 1968; Dlin N. A., Zvereva L. S. Kuwait. M., 1968; Bodyansky V. L. Modern Kuwait. M., 1971; Anthony J. D. Arab states of the Lower Gulf. Wash., 1975; Georgiev A.G., Ozoling V.V. Oil Monarchies of Arabia: Problems of Development. M., 1983; Melkumyan E. S. Kuwait in the 60-80s. Socio-economic processes and foreign policy. M., 1989; Mansfield R. Kuwait: vanguard of the Gulf. L., 1990; Crystal J. Oil and politics in the Gulf: rulers and merchants in Kuwait and Qatar. Camb.; N.Y., 1995; An scombe F. F. The Ottoman Gulf: the creation of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. N.Y., 1997; Al Ghunaim Y. Y. Kuwait faces avidity. Kuwait, 2000; Isaev V. A., Filonik A. O., Shagal V. E. Kuwait and Kuwaitis in the modern world. M., 2003.
E. S. Melkumyan.
economy
The basis of the economy is the oil industry. At the beginning of the 21st century, oil production and refining provide about 50% of the value of GDP, over 90% of foreign exchange earnings and 95% of state budget revenues. Funds from oil exports are used to modernize the economy, develop healthcare, education, etc. 2 state reserve funds have been created: the Fund for Future Generations (annual deductions are about 10% of oil revenues) and the General Reserve Fund; the total reserves of the funds are estimated at $209 billion. Kuwait is a major international donor; since 1961 it has been providing economic assistance to Arab countries through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (the largest recipients are Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and others).
The priority areas of economic policy are diversifying the economy, reducing dependence on the oil sector and government subsidies (in the mid-2000s, the public sector retains a leading role in the economy), attracting foreign investment, and implementing a program for privatizing state property (except for the oil sector). Since 2005, the privatization of public utilities, ports, gas stations and telecommunications enterprises has begun. Privatization is complicated by competition for jobs among foreigners and indigenous people (especially young people), traditionally employed in public sector enterprises (93%) and government agencies.
The volume of GDP is 149.1 billion dollars (purchasing power parity), per capita 57.4 thousand dollars (2008). Real GDP growth 8.5% (2008). Human Development Index 0.916 (2007; 31st among 182 countries). In the structure of GDP, industry accounts for 52.4%, services - 47.3%, agriculture - 0.3%. Foreign investment is 19.7% of GDP (2007).
Industry. Proven oil reserves in the country are over 9% of the world. Oil production 2.6 million barrels / day (2007); over 90% of oil is exported. The main fields under development are concentrated in the north (Er-Raudatain and Sabriya), the west (Minakish and Umm Gudayr), the southeast of the country (Great Burgan group of fields), within the former Neutral Zone (El-Bahra), as well as on the shelf of the Persian bay. Field development, oil transportation, processing (including the production of organic synthesis products, including ammonia and urea) and its trade is carried out by the state-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation through a network of subsidiaries: Kuwait Oil Company (oil and gas production), “ Kuwait Oil Tanker Co." (oil transportation), Kuwait National Petroleum Co. (refining and trading on the domestic market), "Petrochemical Industries Co." (PIC; ammonia and urea production), Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Co. (concessions in developing countries), Santa Fe International Corp. (foreign operations). Oil production in the former Neutral Zone is carried out by the Kuwait Gulf Oil Company (a joint venture with Saudi Arabia; the oil produced here is divided equally between both countries). Natural gas (production 12.5 bcm; 2006) occurs in Kuwait mainly as associated gas. Gas from the production sites is supplied through gas pipelines to the gas liquefaction plant in Ash-Shuaiba. Gas is fully used domestically. Kuwait's energy industry is based on its own hydrocarbon feedstock. Electricity production 44.75 billion kWh, consumption - 39.5 billion kWh (2006). The largest thermal power plants in Al-Kuwait, Al-Ahmadi, Al-Fuhaikhil. There are 3 large refineries (with a total capacity of over 900 thousand barrels of crude oil per day): in Al-Ahmadi (465 thousand barrels / day), Mina Abd Allah (247 thousand barrels / day) and Mina Shuaiba (190 thousand barrels / day) day). The largest petrochemical complex is located in Ash-Shuaiba (commissioned in 1997; production of ethylene, ethylene glycol, polypropylene, sulfuric acid, nitrogen fertilizers, etc.; EQUATE, a joint venture between PIC and the American DOW Chemical, etc.). Small metal-working and metallurgical enterprises (in Al-Ahmadi, Ash-Shuaib), enterprises for the production of household appliances, repair of oil equipment, construction of ships. A prominent role in the economy is played by the production of building materials (2.2 million tons of cement in 2006; Kuwait Cement Company).
Due to the lack of fresh water sources in Kuwait, industrial desalination of sea water has been established at 5 desalination plants.
Agriculture does not play a significant role in the country's economy due to the extremely limited land suitable for agricultural production (during the Kuwait crisis of 1990-91, a significant part of agricultural land was destroyed by fires and oil spills). Over 80% of food is imported. At the beginning of the 21st century, about 1% of the country's territory is used, 3/4 of these areas are irrigated using the latest technologies, including hydroponics. They mainly grow vegetables and dates. Collection (thousand tons, 2005): tomatoes 15.2, cucumbers 5.7, dates 5, potatoes 3.2, green peppers and chili 2.4, eggplants 2.4, cauliflower 1.6, onions 1.5, cabbage 1.4, okra 1. Fishing and seafood production are developed (the main object of the fishery is shrimp). The annual total catch is about 4 thousand tons (satisfies domestic demand by about 25%). Since 1972, fishing has been controlled by Kuwait United Fisheries.
Services sector. An actively developing sector of the economy, the leading industries are public administration, banking and financial activities, foreign tourism, and trade. The banking sector is represented by the Central Bank of Kuwait (founded in 1969), 7 commercial (including the National Bank of Kuwait, founded in 1952 - the first national bank in the Persian Gulf region, the largest in the country) and 1 Islamic bank.
There are 37 companies operating in the insurance business; the largest are Al Ahlia Insurance Co., Warba Insurance Company and Kuwait Insurance Co.. The largest stock exchange in the country is the Kuwait Stock Exchange (2nd in terms of turnover in the Persian Gulf countries after the Saudi Stock Exchange).
Kuwait attaches great importance to the development of tourism; in the mid-2000s, the tourism sector provides about 5% of GDP and 4.6% of employment. The income from foreign tourism is over 6 billion US dollars per year.
Transport. The total length of roads is 5749 km, of which 4887 km are paved (2004). Kuwait is connected by road with Iraq (Basra) and Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam). Kuwait's merchant marine fleet consists of 38 seagoing vessels (over 1,000 gross tons each; total displacement of 2,294.2 thousand gross tons or 3,730.8 thousand deadweight; 2008), including 22 oil tankers. Under the flags of other countries (including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain) 34 Kuwaiti merchant ships sail. The main seaports are: Mina al-Ahmadi (the main export port of the country), Ash Shuaiba, Ash Shuwayh, Mina Abd Allah and Al Kuwait. There are 7 airports, 4 of which have paved runways (2007). International airport in Kuwait. The leading state-owned airline is Kuwait Airways; there are private airlines Jazeera Airways (since 2004) and Wataniya Airways (since 2005). The length of main pipelines is 866 km, including oil pipelines 540 km, gas pipelines 269 km, oil product pipelines 57 km (2007).
International trade. The volume of foreign trade turnover is 84.3 billion dollars (2007), including exports of 63.7 billion dollars, imports of 20.6 billion dollars. The main export items are oil and oil products, chemical products (mainly fertilizers) are also exported in small quantities. Main export trading partners: Japan (19.6% of value; 2007), South Korea (17.5%), China (14.8%), Singapore (9.8%), USA (8.3%), Netherlands (4.7%). Food, industrial and transport equipment, cars, building materials, clothing, etc. are imported from the USA (12.9% of the value; 2007), Japan (8.7%), Germany (7.5%), China (7%), Saudi Arabia (6.4%), Italy (5.9%), Great Britain (4.7%), India (4%), South Korea (4%).
Lit.: Isaev V. A. Kuwait: the contours of economic change. M., 2003.
A. I. Voropaev.
Military establishment
The Armed Forces (AF) of Kuwait consist of the Ground Forces (SV), Air Force and Navy (total 15.5 thousand people; 2008), in addition, there are paramilitary forces - the National Guard and the Coast Guard. Military annual budget $3.92 billion (2007 est.).
The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces is the Emir. The general leadership is carried out by the Minister of Defense, to whom the General Staff and commanders of the Armed Forces are subordinate. Military construction in the country is carried out on the basis of long-term plans developed with the participation of American and British military specialists.
The SV (11 thousand people, including over 3 thousand foreign military specialists) are the basis of the Armed Forces and include 10 brigades (3 armored, 2 motorized infantry, 1 artillery, 1 reconnaissance motorized infantry, 1 engineering, 1 emir guard and 1 reserve), a separate battalion special purpose, communications units. The SV is armed with about 370 tanks (of which 75 are in storage), over 450 infantry fighting vehicles, over 320 armored personnel carriers (of which 40 are in storage), about 200 recoilless artillery guns, 113 self-propelled guns (of which 18 are in storage), 27 MLRS, 78 mortars, about 120 ATGM launchers. The Air Force (about 2.5 thousand people) has 50 combat, 12 combat training, 16 training and 6 military transport aircraft; 32 combat, 4 multi-purpose and 9 transport helicopters, as well as the Air Force includes air defense units with 40 launchers of air defense systems and MANPADS. In addition, the country's air defense is provided by 5 Patriot air defense systems, which are served by the American military. The naval structure of the Navy (about 2 thousand people) includes 10 missile and 12 patrol boats, as well as 3 auxiliary vessels. Coast guard units (500 people) have 20 large and several small patrol boats, 5 auxiliary vessels. Naval base - El-Kulaya. The National Guard (7.1 thousand people) performs the functions of internal troops, it consists of 6 battalions (3 infantry, 1 motorized infantry, 1 special purpose, 1 military police), armed with small arms and armored personnel carriers. Armament and military equipment of foreign production.
The recruitment of regular aircraft is carried out on a voluntary basis. Mobilization resources amount to 880,000 people, including 532,000 fit for military service.
V. D. NESTERKIN.
healthcare
In Kuwait, there are 180 doctors per 100,000 inhabitants (mostly from the US, UK, Egypt, India), 370 nurses and midwives, 30 dentists, 50 pharmacists (2006); 19 hospital beds per 10 thousand inhabitants (2005). Total health spending is 2.2% of GDP (budget funding 77.2%, private sector 22.8%) (2006). The legal regulation of the health care system is carried out by the Constitution (1962), as well as the Law on Tobacco Smoking (2004). The healthcare system includes hospitals, medical facilities and clinics. Medical care for citizens of Kuwait is provided free of charge, based on modern technologies. Hospital care (dentistry, chronic non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health care) ranks among the highest quality among the countries of the Middle East. The most famous are the As-Salam clinic, the Al-Shaab medical center, and the Ar-Rashid hospital. Hospitals have departments for emergency, specialized and outpatient care.
V. S. Nechaev.
Sport
The Kuwait Olympic Committee was founded and recognized by the IOC in 1966. Athletes from Kuwait participated in 11 Olympic Games (beginning with Mexico City, 1968) and won one bronze medal: in 2000 (Sydney) F. al-Dikhani took 3rd place in double trap shooting. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Kuwaiti athletes competed in athletics, judo, shooting, swimming, and table tennis. Among other most popular sports are football, handball, boxing, diving, tennis. There are 25 tennis clubs in the country (95 outdoor courts, 5 indoors); Kuwait men's team takes part in the Davis Cup.
Education. Scientific and cultural institutions
The education system includes: preschool education for children from 4 to 6 years old, compulsory 8 years of education (4 years of primary school, 4 years of incomplete secondary) and 4 years of complete secondary education. Specialized colleges (technical, medical, commercial, etc.) operate on the basis of an incomplete secondary school. Education of boys and girls at school is separate; at all levels (from kindergarten to university) - free of charge. Preschool institutions cover (2008) 75% of pupils, primary education - 83%, secondary - 77% of students. The literacy rate of the population over the age of 15 is 93.3% (2006). The higher education system includes: Kuwait University (1966), non-state universities - Kuwait-Maastricht Business School (2003), American University (2004), Kuwait branch of the Arab Open University - all in Kuwait; Gulf States University of Science and Technology (2002; campuses in Hawalli and Mishref), Box Hill Women's College (a division of the Australian Box Hill Institute; founded in 2007 in Abu Khalifa), American University of the Middle East (2008) in Egail and al. National Library of Kuwait (1936). Museums: National (1957), scientific and pedagogical (1972), Islamic art (1983), named after Tarek Rajab (opened in 1980; manuscripts, ceramics, glass, musical instruments, etc.); a museum and a cultural foundation of the Bedouin Sadu-house, etc. Among the scientific institutions are the Arab Institute of Planning (1966), the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (1967), the National Council for Culture, Arts and Languages (1973), the Arab Educational Research Center of the Gulf countries ( 1978), Center for Kuwait Studies (1992), Middle East Information Research Institute (1998), Al-Wasatiya Research, Education and Outreach Center (2006) - all in Kuwait City; Science Center (2000; contains the largest aquarium in the Middle East) in the Salmiya area.
Mass media
In Kuwait, 7 daily newspapers are published (2008), among which 5 are in Arabic (all in El Kuwait): Al-Alba (Izvestia; since 1976), Al-Watan (Motherland; since 1974), "Al-Kabas" ("Knowledge"; since 1972), "Ar-Rai al-Amm" ["Public Opinion"; since 1961; has a weekly supplement "An-Nahda" ("Rise")], "As-Siyasa" ("Politics"; since 1965). Daily newspapers are published in English and Indian languages (all in Kuwait): The Arab Times (in 1963-77 it was published under the name Daily News), The Kuwait Times (since 1961). Among the leading weekly newspapers in Arabic (all in Kuwait City): Ar-Raid (Pioneer; since 1969), Al-Hadaf (Goal; since 1961), Al-Yaqza ( "Awakening"; since 1966). Sports issues are covered by the Al-Jamahir newspaper (The Masses; El-Kuwait; since 1984, daily). In Kuwait, 105 monthly and about 110 weekly magazines are published, the largest of which (all in El Kuwait): Al-Arabi (Arab; since 1958, monthly), Al-Kuwaiti (Kuwaiti; since 1961, weekly). Broadcasting since 1951; carried out by the government broadcasting service "Kuwait Broadcasting SCE" (El Kuwait). There are 11 VHF and 6 HF radio stations. TV broadcasting since 1957; since 1961 it has been carried out by the government service Kuwait Television (El Kuwait). There are 13 TV stations. State news agency - Kuwait News Agency (since 1976; Kuwait).
Literature
The literature of the Kuwaiti people is part of the pan-Arab culture, with which it is united by a common tradition. The founder of Kuwaiti literature and the first educator is Abdel Jalil at-Tabatabana, whose collection of poems written in line with classical Arabic literature was published in 1882 (India). In 1911, the al-Mubarakiya school was founded, which marked the beginning of transformations in the field of the country's culture; some of its graduates became prominent figures in literature and education, including Abd al-Aziz al-Rashid, the author of the book "History of Kuwait" (1926), the publisher of the literary magazine "Al-Kuwait", in which the first Kuwaiti story - "Munira » Khalid ibn-Muhammad al-Faraji (1929), talking about the socio-economic transformations in Kuwait. The prose of the 1940s is represented by the work of Khalid Khalaf (the short stories "The Sophistication of Rock", "Between Water and Sky", both 1947), Fahd al-Duwayri (the story "In Reality", 1948), etc. Among the writers of the older generation: the poets Muhammad al-Faiz (collections "Memories of a Sailor", 1961, "Turquoise Ring", 1984, etc.), Ahmad al-Udwani (collections "Wings of the Storm", 1980, "Drops", 1996) - author of the anthem of Kuwait, poet and playwright Faiq Abdel Jalil (collection of poems "Abu Zeid - Hero of the Seekers", 1974; play "The Carpet of Poverty", 1980).
In the late 1960s, a new generation of prose writers in Kuwait emerged. A notable phenomenon was the work of Suleiman ash-Shat (collections of stories "Quiet Voice", 1970, "People of a High Level", 1982, "And I'm Different", 1995), Suleiman al-Khulayfi (collection of stories "The Destroyer", 1974), Leyla al-Usmani (collections of stories "Love is many-sided", 1983, "55 short stories", 1992; novels "Woman and Cat", 1982, "Wasmiya comes out of the sea", 1985), Ismail Fahd Ismail (novels "Gloomy Barriers", 1996, Far From Here, 1998, Far Sky, 2000), science fiction writer Abdelwahhab al-Said (the novels Tales of Another World, On the Dark Side, both 2008), etc. Poetry is developing [Suad Muhammad as -Sabah (collections "To you, my son", 1982, "Dialogue of a rose and a rifle", 1989; "Roses know how to be angry", 2005), etc.]. The writers cover a wide range of topics: from the traditional chanting of nature and the activities of the Bedouins to the analysis of the social problems of modern Arab society, changes in the traditional way of life.
Publisher: Winds of the Gulf. Storybook. M., 1985.
Lit .: Isaev V. A., Filonik A. O., Shagal V. E. Kuwait and Kuwaitis in the modern world. M., 2003.
E. V. Kukhareva.
Architecture and fine arts
In the period from the end of the 3rd millennium BC to the 17th century AD, the centers of culture in the territory of Kuwait were concentrated on Failaka Island. The oldest buildings include the ruins of a fortress from the early Hellenistic period with the remains of temples from the middle of the 1st millennium BC, the architecture of which combines ancient Greek and Achaemenid elements. In El-Kusur, the ruins of an early Christian church (late 5th - early 6th century AD) with a narthex, galleries and a cruciform chapel were excavated; inside it, 2 stucco panels with ornamental motifs and images of a cross were found. In El-Kurania, the ruins of a fortress from the 16th and 17th centuries were discovered. During excavations on Failaka Island, clay figurines of horsemen of the so-called Achaemenid type, women and camels (mid-1st millennium BC), works of Hellenistic sculpture - a limestone dolphin, terracotta figurines (mainly images of deities and people; all - in National Museum of Kuwait, Kuwait City). Also among the finds are red ceramics of the turn of the 3rd-2nd millennium BC, blue glass vessels of the middle of the 2nd millennium BC, cylindrical (mostly brought from Mesopotamia) and local stamp seals of the late 3rd millennium BC , glazed pottery from the 1st century AD.
The earliest surviving buildings of the late 18th and 19th centuries are traditional city houses, mostly one-story, plastered adobe (rarely from raw brick), usually with several courtyards surrounded by arcades. A typical Kuwaiti element of planning is the presence of divania, public spaces for men to relax and socialize, usually overlooking the street facade of the house. In the decor of residential buildings (the design of door and window openings, walls, roof parapets), Turkish, Iranian, Indian influences are noticeable. Notable examples of residential architecture in Kuwait include the An-Nisf (c. 1827-37), Al-Badr (c. 1837-47), and Al-Ghanim (1916) houses in Kuwait City; quarters of traditional residential development have been preserved on Failaka Island. Among the earliest surviving mosques in Kuwait are Al-Khamis (1772-73) and Abd al-Razzaq (1797; both in Kuwait). An example of fortifications is the Red Fortress in El-Jahra (1895).
The economic boom of the 1950s gave rise to active new construction; foreign architects begin to work in Kuwait. For El Kuwait, a series of master plans are being developed (1952, bureau Monprio, Spensly and Macfarlen; 1968, bureau S. Buchanan and Partners, etc.) in the spirit of modernism, with a clear division of functional zones; during their implementation, quarters of historical buildings are demolished. Large-scale public buildings are being created, to varying degrees combining the principles of modernism with elements of traditional Islamic architecture: in the new building of the al-Saif government palace in Al-Kuwait, forms of Muslim architecture predominate (1960-64), the municipality building of Al-Kuwait (1962, architect Salam Abdel Bucky) is decided in the spirit of modern Western architecture. Since the 1970s, these trends have been combined in the mainstream of postmodernism; for example, in the complex of government buildings and the new wing of the al-Saif Palace (1973-83, architect R. Pietila), the building of the National Assembly (1973-85, J. Utzon), the large-scale State Mosque (1976-84, architect M. Makiya) , the Kuwait Tower complex (1977, VBB bureau), the Ash-Sharq embankment ensemble (1998, N. Ardalan; all in Kuwait). Features of neomodernism are demonstrated by the high-rise building of the "Oil Sector" of Kuwait (1996-2005, architect A. Erikson).
Professional fine arts appeared in Kuwait in the middle of the 20th century, when a system of art education was being formed there. One of the first Kuwaiti artists was M. al-Dossari (he studied in Egypt), the author of works on local subjects in the spirit of realism. Most of the Kuwaiti painters of the 20th century worked in this vein, creating still lifes and landscapes; the influence of surrealism was also quite strong (the work of S. Muhammad, the leading sculptor of the late 20th and early 21st centuries); the semi-abstract works of the painter S. Al-Ayyubi demonstrate the influence of expressionism. Folk crafts are represented by woodcarving, basket weaving from palm leaves, weaving, jewelry making, and the production of decorative leather goods.
Lit.: Lewcock R. Traditional architecture in Kuwait and the Northern Gulf. L., 1978; Gardiner S. Kuwait: the making of a city. Harlow, 1983; Contemporary art in Kuwait. Kuwait, 1983 (in Arabic); Muestras seleccionadas del arte abstracto y moderno de Kuwait. Kuwait, ; Mutawa S. A. History of architecture in old Kuwait City. Kuwait, 1994; Kuwait: arts and architecture / Ed. A. Fullerton, G. Fehirvari. Kuwait, 1995; Colors of enchantment: theater, dance, music and the visual arts of the Middle East. Cairo, 2001; Anderson R., Al-Bader J. Recent Kuwait architecture: regionalism vs. globalization // Journal of Architectural and Planning Research. 2006 Vol. 23. No. 2.
N. I. Frolova.
Music
The musical and dance culture is close to the culture of other countries of the Persian Gulf (Bahrain, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, partly Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran). The diversity of ethnic traditions (Arabic, South Iranian, South Iraqi, African, etc.) is characteristic. Ancient song and dance genres of local Bedouin origin (hada caravan songs and camel shepherd songs) became popular among the settled population. A special layer of oral creativity is solo and group "sea" songs (including songs of pearl divers). Some types of music developed under African influence (for example, the music of the healing rite zar). In modern urban culture, the influence of classical Arabic music is significant; from maqams, rast, bayati, sika are more often performed; traditional atifiya love songs, patriotic and modernized folk songs are widespread; saut genre (of Yemeni origin); in the African quarters - songs and dances of the leiva. On the basis of the Institute of Musical Research, the Higher School of Musical Arts was established in 1976. Among contemporary musicians are the singer and composer Ahmad Bakir (author of patriotic songs), Osman as-Sayyid (author of religious and love songs, as well as songs in the old style of muashah).
Story
Banu Khalid
In the 1930s oil fields in Kuwait were discovered.
Independent Kuwait
Despite the support provided to Iraq by Kuwait, on August 2, 1990, shortly after the end of the war with Iran, Saddam Hussein occupied the emirate. On August 7, the puppet "Provisional Government of Free Kuwait" proclaimed the Republic of Kuwait with Alaa Hussein Ali as prime minister. The next day, it was announced that this government had applied for Kuwait to become part of Iraq, and on August 28, Kuwait was declared the 19th province of Iraq under the name Al-Saddamiya.
These events led to interruptions in oil supplies to the importers of Kuwaiti oil. The United States created an international coalition and, during a military operation (January-February 1991), liberated Kuwait (see Gulf War). As they retreated north, Iraqi forces used a scorched-earth tactic, setting fire to all oil rigs and blowing up oil pipelines. The result of this was the enormous losses incurred by Kuwait (according to the most conservative estimates, 30-50 billion dollars).
The Iraqi occupation ravaged Kuwait and destroyed its prosperity, the capital of Kuwait was plundered, most of the indigenous population fled to Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries, thousands of Kuwaitis died. Despite the huge damage, Kuwait regained its former prosperity in a few years.
State structure
Administrative division
Kuwait is divided into 6 provinces (governorate; singular - governorate), which in turn are divided into districts.
The main cities are Kuwait (the capital), Jahra (a suburb of Kuwait), Hawally, Es Salmiya and El Fahahil. Residential neighborhoods and business areas are located in Salmiya and Hawalli. Industry is concentrated in El Asim. The emir's residence is located in Bayan, a suburb of the capital.
Geographic data
Economy
According to Kuwait's own estimate, it has large oil reserves - about 102 billion barrels, that is, 9% of the world's oil reserves. Oil gives Kuwait about 50% of GDP, 95% of export earnings and 95% of the state budget revenue.
In 2009, Kuwait's GDP amounted to about 146 billion dollars, per capita - 54.1 thousand dollars (7th place in the world).
International trade
Export in 2008 - 86.9 billion dollars, mainly oil and oil products, as well as fertilizers.
The main buyers are Japan 18.5%, South Korea 14.7%, India 10.9%, Taiwan 9.8%, USA 9%, Singapore 8%, China 6.1%.
Imports in 2008 - 22.9 billion dollars: food, building materials, vehicles and spare parts, clothing.
The main suppliers are the USA 11.7%, Japan 9.1%, Germany 8%, China 7.5%, Saudi Arabia 6.9%, Italy 4.7%.
Transport
The length of motor roads is 5749 km, of which 4887 km are paved. There is no railway in the country, so most tourists travel by car.
