KUWAIT
Content
Political factor
Kuwait also gives us a fair idea about the political situation in Kuwait. Kuwait's Politics is predominantly a picture of constitutional monarchy. The constitution governing Kuwait became operational from 1962. This constitution established a National Assembly and the political power are shared among the emir and the National Assembly. The history of Kuwaiti politics shows that the emir suspended the constitution and the parliament twice, for the first time from 1976 to 1980 and the next time from 1986 to 1992. But traces of parliamentary democracy always persisted side by side with the emir's control. In 1990, the emir wanted to create a titular national council replacing the parliament. The opposition immediately boycotted election and before the issue was resolved Iraqi invasion took place. From that time the National Assembly was restored in Kuwait and it is still operational.
Kuwait's Economy
Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the Muslim world. Current GDP per capita reached astonishing peak growth of 439% in the 1970s. But this proved unsustainable and contracted by 58% in the 1980s. However rising global oil demand helped register growth of 91% in the 1990s. Diversification is a long-term issue for this over-exposed economy. Growth in Kuwait's Economy is mostly attributed to the rich oil reserve of the country. Kuwait owns about 8% of world's total oil reserve. Kuwait Economy and Politics further shows that over time Kuwait has used oil earnings to make huge foreign investments. However Kuwait's Economy suffered a major blow during Iraqi invasion but Kuwait overcame that problem by mid 1990s and again began its journey on the way of prosperity. When we look at the figures ofKuwait Economy and Politics then we find that GDP of Kuwait in 2004 was $55.7 billion. The government owns the oil industry which can be regarded as the backbone of Kuwait Economy and Politics and it covers almost 75% of GDP. The export of oil depends on the domestic need of Kuwait. However, there are other factors also regulating export of petroleum by Kuwait, which are international demand and prices and production quotas which is fixed by OPEC. Kuwait has a huge labor force working mostly in the oil industry but only about one-quarter of the Kuwaiti citizens are members of this work force.
Year
Gross Domestic Product
US Dollar Exchange
Inflation (2000=100)
Index Per Capita (as % of USA)
Income
1980
7,764
0.27 Kuwaiti Dinars
55
171.08
1985
6,450
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
68
71.58
1990
5,328
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
80
37.00
1995
8,114
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
92
62.14
2000
11,570
0.30 Kuwaiti Dinars
100
48.92
2005
21,783
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
108
64.35
SOCIOCULTURE
Kuwait Population you will know that the trend of urbanization is much in vogue in Kuwait. This is proved by the fact that 96% of Kuwait's population live in the cities. Of the 2,868 millionKuwait Population, you will find, that only one million are Kuwaiti citizens. The majorities of the population is Arabs and include the expatriates from Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Philippines. You will also find among the Kuwait Population about 100,000 Arabs who are known as Bidoon by the locals. Before the Gulf War, there was a significant amount of Palestinian population in Kuwait, who are however, no longer there. Among the total Population of Kuwait you will find that 1.893 million are nonKuwaitis. A look at the Kuwait Population shows us that about seventy percent of native Kuwaitis are Sunnis while the rest 30 percent are Shias. A small amount of Christians and Jews are also found among the natives. Of the total population the native Kuwaitis are present by 35%, other Arab nationals 22%, 39%, are Asians and 4% are Bidoons. Male ratio is higher than the female ratio and the population growth rate is of 8.1%. Birth rate has 21.88 births per 1,000 populations while you will find much low death rate in 2.42 deaths per 1,000 populations. Total literacy rate is about 79%, which is highest in the whole of Emirates. This has been achieved due to the government support towards the mass education system in Kuwait. From public school till University education is free in Kuwait. Therefore you will find that 85.1% of the Kuwait male population and 81.7% of the Kuwait female population are literate.
Kuwait Language
A sneak peek at the Kuwait Travel Guide shows us that the culture as well as the Kuwait Language has the influence of various other languages. Arabic is the language that is predominantly spoken in all the Middle Eastern countries. In some countries you will find variation of Arabic spoken. This is the case with Language of Kuwait. The mainKuwait Language is Gulf Arabic. This Kuwait Language is a variety of Arabic and is spoken widely in both the shores of the Persian Gulf. It is not that Kuwait is the only country which speaks this language but you can find that this language is spoken in eastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman. This Language of Kuwait is also known by the name Khaliji in Kuwait and by the names Al Hasaa and Khamseh in other countries and is spoken by around 500,000 people in Kuwait. The dialect that is used is known as Kuwaiti Hadari Arabic. There are some distinct characteristics of the Kuwait Language i.e., Gulf Arabic which makes it different from the other Bedouin dialects. The most important characteristic feature is the presence of very few Persian words in the language. In this language you will find that the letter 'k' is pronounced as 'ch' and the letter 'q' is pronounced as 'g'. When the Kuwaitis speak this language they also pronounce the letter 'j' as 'y'. When we speak of the Language in Kuwait then the other language which is predominant after the Gulf Arabic is English. This has become the second Language of Kuwait. In the schools of Kuwait along with Gulf Arabic English language is also taught to the students. Other than Gulf Arabic and English, the Languages in Kuwait also include Urdu and Hindi because of the presence of innumerable Indians and Pakistanis in the country.
Technology
Kuwait has consolidation of the role of science and technology into the growth and development of the nation, and the investment of the results of scientific research in extending development to broader and newer horizons to meet the challenges of a changing world. These values have led to the creation of new opportunities and enhancement of the potential and capabilities of Kuwaiti citizens, especially the youth. The main tenets of Kuwait’s science and technology strategy have been the use of modern scientific methods as the base for building an advanced society that selects the best practices from around the globe. The implementation of plans and programmes have placed Kuwait in a more advanced position than many of the region’s countries. Kuwait has established specialised scientific bodies which can undertake work in the field of academic research with the ultimate aim of building up modern Kuwait. These bodies are: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), The Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) and the Scientific Club.
ENVIRONMENT FACTOR
Kuwait Climate Kuwait Travel Guide provides you with an in-depth knowledge of theKuwait Climate. Kuwait is a desert country famous for its very dry and hot climate. If you are planning to visit Kuwait, then it is better to know about the Kuwait Climate in advance. Summer starts in Kuwait from the month of April and continues till October. The summer months are extremely hot and dry and while the normal day temperature is 33°C, it rises up to 51°C i.e. 124°F, during the months of June, July and August, with very low humidity. The months of April and October are less harsh with temperatures slowly dropping below the 40s to lower 30s. Another feature of Kuwait Climate is that it never rains during the summer months and from June to September are regarded as the driest months. If you are really interested in traveling then the best time to be in Kuwait is during the winters. From the months of November to February Kuwait's Climate remains best for traveling. The days are cool and the average temperature stays around 13°C with the minimum going to -2°C and the maximum to 27°C. You might not find frosts everywhere but can see that in northern Kuwait. At this time of the year Kuwait receives the rainfall. Maximum rainfall occurs during the months of January to March. It ranges from 25 to 175 mm. The condition favorable to rain is created when the warm moist air from the Persian Gulf meets the cold air masses from Europe. Water temperature at the surface of the coast varies from 15°C in February to 35°C in August. Sometimes you might find thunderstorms with hail during these months. During 1997 November, due to a thunderstorm Kuwait had over ten inches of rainfall. Climate of Kuwait remains pleasant in the month of March, April and May which is spring time in Kuwait. During this season which is also known by the name 'sarayat' season, the temperature remains neither hot nor cold but you might get to see thunderstorms. It is very common to have cloudbursts during the spring evenings though the mornings might have been bright and sunny. These cloudbursts bring sudden heavy rain damaging roads and houses. You might find sandstorms lasting for some days continuously. Due to this condition of Kuwait Climate you will find very little vegetation in Kuwait. The most common form of vegetation that can be seen are desert flowers and shrubs, among which 'arfaj' is the most common one. Agriculture is limited by the lack of water and arable land. The government has experimented in growing food through hydroponics and carefully managed farms. However, most of the soil which was suitable for farming in south central Kuwait was destroyed when Iraqi troops set fire to oil wells in the area and created vast "oil lakes". Fish and shrimp are plentiful in territorial waters, and largescale commercial fishing has been undertaken locally and in the Indian Ocean.
LEGAL FACTOR:
Legal systems does in deed, defer from each another due to the key elements that constitute the source of its roots and or surrounding circumstances during its growth, including but not limited to, political systems, culture , religion, and social norms. Despite the above fact, the common feature of alllegal systems is there existence are to maintain the rule of law on each single state or country, and for that reason each legal system find its own way to promulgate the regulation that reflects the needs of a said society according to its domestic requirement and conditions.
1- Adherence to constitutional document, with parliament supremacy : Since 1921 Kuwait witnesses a strong movement towards a constitutional system, as a consequence Kuwait had introduced the first constitutional document, which calls for government rolled by the people. Soon after many elections took place between 1930- 1938, all of which electing institutions to govern beside the Amir of Kuwait. In 1938 Kuwaiti people had elected the first parliament in their political life, which drafted the second modern constitution for the state, the source of power are entrusted in the hands of the people. This year also witness in few months later a full draft constitution that adopted a constitutional monarchy and aiming to the supremacy of the parliament, this draft never exist, but always counted as the third constitution for the country. After gaining its full independence from Great Britain, Kuwait promptly in five months adopted its fourth constitution, which was only for a transitional period of one year, and in less than twelve months an electedConstituent Assembly drafted an adopted the current constitution which was ratified and issued by the Amir of Kuwait on November 1961, that introduced the existing legal and political system in Kuwait. Since that date, Kuwait become a strongly known as an Adherent state to constitutional system, that lead to the supremacy of parliament, and people voice play an essential role in the legal system via the majority in the parliament. 2- Kuwaiti Laws are of demotic ingredients and international flavor. As an open minded country, that has established an early relation with foreign countries, in different levels, commercially, culturally, and politically. Kuwait has enacted through it parliament it laws without adhering to one single legal system. Therefore, the Kuwaiti laws are driven from Islamic Shariah, civil law countries, as well as common law system. Consequently, it is true to say that it does indeed, combined between echoing the demotic needs and requirements, and responding to its international presence. Kuwait has promulgated many unique laws that reflecting crucial Islamic Law principles, which does not exist in any other Arab states, such as Zakat house law, Zakat law, Institutionalizing the Awqaf (endowment) property management, Islamic tax law, and Islamic banking and Financial law. It also enacted law that benefited directly from USA, U.K., France and some Arab states in civil, commercial, criminal, and insurance laws.
Kuwait also gives us a fair idea about the political situation in Kuwait. Kuwait's Politics is predominantly a picture of constitutional monarchy. The constitution governing Kuwait became operational from 1962. This constitution established a National Assembly and the political power are shared among the emir and the National Assembly. The history of Kuwaiti politics shows that the emir suspended the constitution and the parliament twice, for the first time from 1976 to 1980 and the next time from 1986 to 1992. But traces of parliamentary democracy always persisted side by side with the emir's control. In 1990, the emir wanted to create a titular national council replacing the parliament. The opposition immediately boycotted election and before the issue was resolved Iraqi invasion took place. From that time the National Assembly was restored in Kuwait and it is still operational.
Kuwait's Economy
Kuwait is one of the richest countries in the Muslim world. Current GDP per capita reached astonishing peak growth of 439% in the 1970s. But this proved unsustainable and contracted by 58% in the 1980s. However rising global oil demand helped register growth of 91% in the 1990s. Diversification is a long-term issue for this over-exposed economy. Growth in Kuwait's Economy is mostly attributed to the rich oil reserve of the country. Kuwait owns about 8% of world's total oil reserve. Kuwait Economy and Politics further shows that over time Kuwait has used oil earnings to make huge foreign investments. However Kuwait's Economy suffered a major blow during Iraqi invasion but Kuwait overcame that problem by mid 1990s and again began its journey on the way of prosperity. When we look at the figures ofKuwait Economy and Politics then we find that GDP of Kuwait in 2004 was $55.7 billion. The government owns the oil industry which can be regarded as the backbone of Kuwait Economy and Politics and it covers almost 75% of GDP. The export of oil depends on the domestic need of Kuwait. However, there are other factors also regulating export of petroleum by Kuwait, which are international demand and prices and production quotas which is fixed by OPEC. Kuwait has a huge labor force working mostly in the oil industry but only about one-quarter of the Kuwaiti citizens are members of this work force.
Year
Gross Domestic Product
US Dollar Exchange
Inflation (2000=100)
Index Per Capita (as % of USA)
Income
1980
7,764
0.27 Kuwaiti Dinars
55
171.08
1985
6,450
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
68
71.58
1990
5,328
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
80
37.00
1995
8,114
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
92
62.14
2000
11,570
0.30 Kuwaiti Dinars
100
48.92
2005
21,783
0.29 Kuwaiti Dinars
108
64.35
SOCIOCULTURE
Kuwait Population you will know that the trend of urbanization is much in vogue in Kuwait. This is proved by the fact that 96% of Kuwait's population live in the cities. Of the 2,868 millionKuwait Population, you will find, that only one million are Kuwaiti citizens. The majorities of the population is Arabs and include the expatriates from Egypt, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Philippines. You will also find among the Kuwait Population about 100,000 Arabs who are known as Bidoon by the locals. Before the Gulf War, there was a significant amount of Palestinian population in Kuwait, who are however, no longer there. Among the total Population of Kuwait you will find that 1.893 million are nonKuwaitis. A look at the Kuwait Population shows us that about seventy percent of native Kuwaitis are Sunnis while the rest 30 percent are Shias. A small amount of Christians and Jews are also found among the natives. Of the total population the native Kuwaitis are present by 35%, other Arab nationals 22%, 39%, are Asians and 4% are Bidoons. Male ratio is higher than the female ratio and the population growth rate is of 8.1%. Birth rate has 21.88 births per 1,000 populations while you will find much low death rate in 2.42 deaths per 1,000 populations. Total literacy rate is about 79%, which is highest in the whole of Emirates. This has been achieved due to the government support towards the mass education system in Kuwait. From public school till University education is free in Kuwait. Therefore you will find that 85.1% of the Kuwait male population and 81.7% of the Kuwait female population are literate.
Kuwait Language
A sneak peek at the Kuwait Travel Guide shows us that the culture as well as the Kuwait Language has the influence of various other languages. Arabic is the language that is predominantly spoken in all the Middle Eastern countries. In some countries you will find variation of Arabic spoken. This is the case with Language of Kuwait. The mainKuwait Language is Gulf Arabic. This Kuwait Language is a variety of Arabic and is spoken widely in both the shores of the Persian Gulf. It is not that Kuwait is the only country which speaks this language but you can find that this language is spoken in eastern Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Oman. This Language of Kuwait is also known by the name Khaliji in Kuwait and by the names Al Hasaa and Khamseh in other countries and is spoken by around 500,000 people in Kuwait. The dialect that is used is known as Kuwaiti Hadari Arabic. There are some distinct characteristics of the Kuwait Language i.e., Gulf Arabic which makes it different from the other Bedouin dialects. The most important characteristic feature is the presence of very few Persian words in the language. In this language you will find that the letter 'k' is pronounced as 'ch' and the letter 'q' is pronounced as 'g'. When the Kuwaitis speak this language they also pronounce the letter 'j' as 'y'. When we speak of the Language in Kuwait then the other language which is predominant after the Gulf Arabic is English. This has become the second Language of Kuwait. In the schools of Kuwait along with Gulf Arabic English language is also taught to the students. Other than Gulf Arabic and English, the Languages in Kuwait also include Urdu and Hindi because of the presence of innumerable Indians and Pakistanis in the country.
Technology
Kuwait has consolidation of the role of science and technology into the growth and development of the nation, and the investment of the results of scientific research in extending development to broader and newer horizons to meet the challenges of a changing world. These values have led to the creation of new opportunities and enhancement of the potential and capabilities of Kuwaiti citizens, especially the youth. The main tenets of Kuwait’s science and technology strategy have been the use of modern scientific methods as the base for building an advanced society that selects the best practices from around the globe. The implementation of plans and programmes have placed Kuwait in a more advanced position than many of the region’s countries. Kuwait has established specialised scientific bodies which can undertake work in the field of academic research with the ultimate aim of building up modern Kuwait. These bodies are: Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), The Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) and the Scientific Club.
ENVIRONMENT FACTOR
Kuwait Climate Kuwait Travel Guide provides you with an in-depth knowledge of theKuwait Climate. Kuwait is a desert country famous for its very dry and hot climate. If you are planning to visit Kuwait, then it is better to know about the Kuwait Climate in advance. Summer starts in Kuwait from the month of April and continues till October. The summer months are extremely hot and dry and while the normal day temperature is 33°C, it rises up to 51°C i.e. 124°F, during the months of June, July and August, with very low humidity. The months of April and October are less harsh with temperatures slowly dropping below the 40s to lower 30s. Another feature of Kuwait Climate is that it never rains during the summer months and from June to September are regarded as the driest months. If you are really interested in traveling then the best time to be in Kuwait is during the winters. From the months of November to February Kuwait's Climate remains best for traveling. The days are cool and the average temperature stays around 13°C with the minimum going to -2°C and the maximum to 27°C. You might not find frosts everywhere but can see that in northern Kuwait. At this time of the year Kuwait receives the rainfall. Maximum rainfall occurs during the months of January to March. It ranges from 25 to 175 mm. The condition favorable to rain is created when the warm moist air from the Persian Gulf meets the cold air masses from Europe. Water temperature at the surface of the coast varies from 15°C in February to 35°C in August. Sometimes you might find thunderstorms with hail during these months. During 1997 November, due to a thunderstorm Kuwait had over ten inches of rainfall. Climate of Kuwait remains pleasant in the month of March, April and May which is spring time in Kuwait. During this season which is also known by the name 'sarayat' season, the temperature remains neither hot nor cold but you might get to see thunderstorms. It is very common to have cloudbursts during the spring evenings though the mornings might have been bright and sunny. These cloudbursts bring sudden heavy rain damaging roads and houses. You might find sandstorms lasting for some days continuously. Due to this condition of Kuwait Climate you will find very little vegetation in Kuwait. The most common form of vegetation that can be seen are desert flowers and shrubs, among which 'arfaj' is the most common one. Agriculture is limited by the lack of water and arable land. The government has experimented in growing food through hydroponics and carefully managed farms. However, most of the soil which was suitable for farming in south central Kuwait was destroyed when Iraqi troops set fire to oil wells in the area and created vast "oil lakes". Fish and shrimp are plentiful in territorial waters, and largescale commercial fishing has been undertaken locally and in the Indian Ocean.
LEGAL FACTOR:
Legal systems does in deed, defer from each another due to the key elements that constitute the source of its roots and or surrounding circumstances during its growth, including but not limited to, political systems, culture , religion, and social norms. Despite the above fact, the common feature of alllegal systems is there existence are to maintain the rule of law on each single state or country, and for that reason each legal system find its own way to promulgate the regulation that reflects the needs of a said society according to its domestic requirement and conditions.
1- Adherence to constitutional document, with parliament supremacy : Since 1921 Kuwait witnesses a strong movement towards a constitutional system, as a consequence Kuwait had introduced the first constitutional document, which calls for government rolled by the people. Soon after many elections took place between 1930- 1938, all of which electing institutions to govern beside the Amir of Kuwait. In 1938 Kuwaiti people had elected the first parliament in their political life, which drafted the second modern constitution for the state, the source of power are entrusted in the hands of the people. This year also witness in few months later a full draft constitution that adopted a constitutional monarchy and aiming to the supremacy of the parliament, this draft never exist, but always counted as the third constitution for the country. After gaining its full independence from Great Britain, Kuwait promptly in five months adopted its fourth constitution, which was only for a transitional period of one year, and in less than twelve months an electedConstituent Assembly drafted an adopted the current constitution which was ratified and issued by the Amir of Kuwait on November 1961, that introduced the existing legal and political system in Kuwait. Since that date, Kuwait become a strongly known as an Adherent state to constitutional system, that lead to the supremacy of parliament, and people voice play an essential role in the legal system via the majority in the parliament. 2- Kuwaiti Laws are of demotic ingredients and international flavor. As an open minded country, that has established an early relation with foreign countries, in different levels, commercially, culturally, and politically. Kuwait has enacted through it parliament it laws without adhering to one single legal system. Therefore, the Kuwaiti laws are driven from Islamic Shariah, civil law countries, as well as common law system. Consequently, it is true to say that it does indeed, combined between echoing the demotic needs and requirements, and responding to its international presence. Kuwait has promulgated many unique laws that reflecting crucial Islamic Law principles, which does not exist in any other Arab states, such as Zakat house law, Zakat law, Institutionalizing the Awqaf (endowment) property management, Islamic tax law, and Islamic banking and Financial law. It also enacted law that benefited directly from USA, U.K., France and some Arab states in civil, commercial, criminal, and insurance laws.
