Country
Countries A-Z
Kuwait
State of Kuwait
Dawlat al-Kuwayt
Political Status: Constitutional hereditary emirate; independent since June 19, 1961, save for occupation by Iraq from August 2, 1990, to February 26, 1991.
Area: 6,880 sq. mi. (17,818 sq. km.).
Population: 1,575,983 (1995C), including 655,820 Kuwaitis and 920,163 non-Kuwaitis; 2,568,000 (2004E). The 1995 figure is not adjusted for underenumeration.
Major Urban Centers (1995C): KUWAIT CITY (28,859), Salmiya (130,215), Hawalli (182,238).
Official Language: Arabic.
Monetary Unit: Dinar (official rate July 1, 2005: 1 dinar = $3.42US).
Sovereign (Emir): Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-SABAH; appointed Prime Minister in 1965 and Heir Apparent in 1966; reappointed Prime Minister in 1971, 1975, and 1976; became Emir upon the death of his cousin, Sheikh Sabah al-Salim al-SABAH, on December 31, 1977.
Prime Minister and Heir Apparent: The emir, Sheikh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-SABAH, appointed ...