Kuwait is a relatively small country on the western shore of the Persian Gulf. It is located between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq. It is slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey. It is characterized by a dry desert climate with extremely hot summers. The terrain is flat to slightly undulating desert plain. Vegetation consists of low brushes and scrub. Before the Gulf War in 1991, many reptile species were found in Kuwait including lizards, house geckos, and snakes.
The present Al-Sabah dynasty was established in Kuwait in the mid-eighteenth century when members of the Utub clan from Saudi Arabia settled in the area. It was ruled from Constantinople and was part of the Ottoman Empire. In 1899, the Turks sought to take control of Kuwait but the ruling Sheikh sought and received British protection. The ruling families in Kuwait consist of five levels of the ruling families. They include the ruling family, the old Kuwait merchant families, and former Bedouins and Arabs from other countries. The religion of Kuwait is 85% Muslim. The remaining portion of the population consists of Christians, Hindu and Parsi. The official language in Kuwait is Arabic but English is widely spoken.
The economic activities of Kuwait are varied. They include maritime activities such as ship building, fishing, pearl diving, business and trading between Arabian Gulf ports and those overlooking the Indian Ocean. Kuwait was also a stop for overland caravans between Persia and Mesopotamia enroute to the eastern and interior parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Both the maritime and trade activities had a positive impact on Kuwaiti society.
Oil was discovered in Kuwait in 1938 by the Kuwait Oil Company but because of World War II, it was not exported until 1946. When the oil began to flow, the Kuwaiti economy flourished taking the country from poverty level to great wealth. Kuwait remained a British protectorate until 1961 when it became an independent nation. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al Shaba became the leader of Kuwait. However, Iraq claimed the emirate in the early 1960's and it again received British protection.
References:
Schewelder, Jullian. Toward Civil Society In The Middle East? New York: Lynne Rrienner Publishers, 1994
“Kuwait Culture.” http://www.arab.net/kuwait/kt_society.htm
By Katie DeCarolis