Kuwait | Land, People, Economy, Society, History, & Maps

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data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait">Kuwait</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Kuwait">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref45141"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait#ref45141">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45142"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait#ref45142">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248530"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait#ref248530">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248531"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait#ref248531">Soils</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45144"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45143"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref45143">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref45146"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref45146">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248532"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref248532">Ethnic groups</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248533"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref248533">Languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248534"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref248534">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45145"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Climate#ref45145">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248535"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Demographic-trends">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref45147"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Demographic-trends#ref45147">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45149"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Demographic-trends#ref45149">Agriculture and fishing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248536"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power">Resources and power</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref248537"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248537">Oil</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref248538"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248538">Natural gas</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref248539"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248539">Water</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248540"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248540">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45151"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref45151">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248541"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248541">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248542"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Resources-and-power#ref248542">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248543"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation">Labour and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45152"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref45152">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref93652"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref93652">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248544"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref248544">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248545"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref248545">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248546"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref248546">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248547"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Labour-and-taxation#ref248547">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref93654"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Health-and-welfare">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248548"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Health-and-welfare#ref248548">Housing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref93655"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Health-and-welfare#ref93655">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref93656"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248549"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life#ref248549">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248550"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life#ref248550">The arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248551"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life#ref248551">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248552"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life#ref248552">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref248553"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/Cultural-life#ref248553">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref93657"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref45155"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/History#ref45155">Early settlers</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref93658"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/History#ref93658">Iran-Iraq War</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref282001"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/The-Persian-Gulf-War-and-its-aftermath">The Persian Gulf War and its aftermath</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref282002"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Kuwait/The-Persian-Gulf-War-and-its-aftermath#ref282002">Political conflict and reform in the early 21st century</a></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/Kuwait">Facts & Stats</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait/images-videos">Images, Videos & Interactives</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/5770-050-BD7FAEFD/Flag-Kuwait.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/62076" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/5770-004-A99DD01D/Flag-Kuwait.jpg" alt="Kuwait" height="50" /> </a> <a href="" data-href="/media/1/325644/151434" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <em 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Persian Gulf coast and vibrant nightlife of Kuwait's capital" class="col-100" /> <div class="btn btn-sm btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%)"> <em class="material-icons font-14" data-icon="play_arrow" > </em> </div> </div> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-050-487B830A/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/223456" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-004-80E784BD/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg" alt="Kuwait" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-050-F3C15213/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/209227" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-004-981194B6/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg" alt="Kuwait Towers" height="50" /> </a> <a 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Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/kuwait/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Central Intelligence Agency - The World Factbook - Kuwait</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Kuwait/345721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuwait - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Kuwait/275337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuwait - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="caption alternate-titles">Also known as: Dawlat al-Kuwayt, State of Kuwait</div> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Jill-Ann-Crystal/3924" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Jill Ann Crystal</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Associate Professor of Political Science, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. Author of <i>Oil and Politics in the Gulf </i>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Jill Ann Crystal</span>, <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Dawlat-Ahmed-Sadek/2561" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Dawlat Ahmed Sadek</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Chairman of the Geography Department, Faculty of Arts, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Dawlat Ahmed Sadek</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-22T00:00:00CST" >Nov 22, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/kuwait-qatar-guessing-game-of-who-will-sign-deal-with-israel-continues-642832" rel="nofollow">Kuwait, Qatar: Guessing game of who will sign deal with Israel continues</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 17, 2024, 3:42 AM ET (Jerusalem Post) <button class="btn btn-link d-inline p-0 font-12 js-toggle-recent-news"> <span class="text-gray-500">...</span><span>(Show more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/sport/archives/2024/11/16/2003826980" rel="nofollow">Son bags his 50th goal in S Korea win</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 15, 2024, 4:20 AM ET (Taipei Times) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/saudi-kuwait-may-soon-fill-locals-in-skilled-semi-skilled-jobs-handled-by-migrants-study/article68856648.ece" rel="nofollow">Saudi, Kuwait may soon fill locals in skilled, semi skilled jobs handled by migrants: Study</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Nov. 12, 2024, 6:22 AM ET (The Hindu) </span> </div> <div class="recent-news-item mt-5"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/jazeera-airways-launches-kuwait-service-from-thiruvananthapuram/article68811392.ece" rel="nofollow">Jazeera Airways launches Kuwait service from Thiruvananthapuram</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Oct. 30, 2024, 1:54 AM ET (The Hindu) </span> </div> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="238912" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/193450-050-823D5D52/Kuwait-city.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/325644/238912"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/193450-050-823D5D52/Kuwait-city.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/193450-050-823D5D52/Kuwait-city.jpg?w=300" alt="Kuwait city" data-width="1600" data-height="1067" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/193450-050-823D5D52/Kuwait-city.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/238912">Kuwait city</a><span>Kuwait city, Kuwait.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref484440"></span>Kuwait</strong>, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/nation-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">country</a> of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabia-peninsula-Asia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Arabian Peninsula</a> located in the northwestern corner of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Persian Gulf</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="238903" data-asm-type="video"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="video" video-id="204367"><a data-id="204367" class="gtm-assembly-link d-flex justify-content-center" style="--aspect-ratio: 16/9" href="/video/video-Kuwait-city/-238903"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/67/204367-138-76EE73E4/video-Kuwait-city.jpg?w=800&h=450&c=crop" alt="Explore the bustling Persian Gulf coast and vibrant nightlife of Kuwait's capital" loading="lazy"><script type="application/json"> { "sources": [ { "file" : "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/zI9ygdGk.m3u8" } ], "image": "https://cdn.britannica.com/67/204367-138-76EE73E4/video-Kuwait-city.jpg" ,"tracks": [ { "file" : "//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/NZLDpB3A", "label": "English" } ] ,"adfile": "//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/A4vsshCF.m3u8" } </script><div class="btn btn-xl btn-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%)"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="play_arrow"></em></div></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><span class="md-assembly-title font-weight-bold mr-5 d-inline font-sans-serif md-video-caption" video-control="204367">Explore the bustling Persian Gulf coast and vibrant nightlife of Kuwait's capital</span><span>Time-lapse video of Kuwait city, Kuwait.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div><a class="font-14 mt-10 d-inline-block" href="/place/Kuwait/images-videos">See all videos for this article</a></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A small emirate nestled between <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Iraq" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Iraq</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Saudi Arabia</a>, Kuwait is situated in a section of one of the driest, least-hospitable deserts on Earth. Its shore, however, includes Kuwait Bay, a deep harbour on the Persian Gulf. There, in the 18th century, Bedouin from the interior founded a trading post. The name <em>Kuwait</em> is <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="derived" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/derived" data-type="EB">derived</a> from the Arabic diminutive of the Hindustani <em>kūt</em> (“fort”). Since the emirate’s ruling family, the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Sabah-dynasty" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Āl Ṣabāḥ</a>, formally established a sheikhdom in 1756, the country’s fortunes have been linked to foreign commerce. In time and with accumulated wealth, the small fort grew to become <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kuwait-capital" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kuwait</a> city, a modern metropolis mingling skyscrapers, apartment buildings, and mosques. Kuwait city has most of the country’s population, which makes Kuwait one of the world’s most-urbanized countries.</p><div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 media-slider card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="rw-track w-100"> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/5770-050-BD7FAEFD/Flag-Kuwait.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/62076" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/5770-050-BD7FAEFD/Flag-Kuwait.jpg" alt="Kuwait" class="cropped-false w-100 " /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> <span>See article: <a href="/topic/flag-of-Kuwait">flag of Kuwait</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <audio src="https://cdn.britannica.com/23/145723-005-69EB8509/instrumental-national-anthem-Kuwait.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" controls=""></audio> <div class="text-center font-12 mt-5"> <span>Audio File:</span> National anthem of Kuwait</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>State of Kuwait</dd> <dd>Dawlat al-Kuwayt</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of State And Government: </dt> <dd>Emir: Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, assisted by Prime Minister: Sheikh Mohammad Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Capital: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Kuwait-capital">Kuwait</a> (city)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population: </dt> <dd>(2024 est.) 5,184,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Currency Exchange Rate: </dt> <dd>1 USD equals 0.308 Kuwaiti dinar</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Form Of Government: </dt> <dd>constitutional monarchy with one legislative house (National Assembly [50<sup>1</sup>])</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Language: </dt> <dd>Arabic</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Religion: </dt> <dd>Islam</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Name: </dt> <dd>Dawlat al-Kuwayt (State of Kuwait)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Km): </dt> <dd>17,818</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Mi): </dt> <dd>6,880</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Monetary Unit: </dt> <dd>Kuwaiti dinar (KD)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Rank: </dt> <dd>(2023) 129</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Projection 2030: </dt> <dd>5,408,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Mi: </dt> <dd>(2024) 753.5</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Km: </dt> <dd>(2024) 290.9</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Urban-Rural Population: </dt> <dd>Urban: (2024) 100%</dd> <dd>Rural: (2024) 0%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Life Expectancy At Birth: </dt> <dd>Male: (2021) 77.3 years</dd> <dd>Female: (2021) 81.8 years</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate: </dt> <dd>Male: (2020) 97%</dd> <dd>Female: (2020) 95%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000): </dt> <dd>(2022) 168,939</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni Per Capita (U.S.$): </dt> <dd>(2022) 39,570</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="footnotes mb-15"> <ol> <li>Excludes 15 cabinet ministers not elected to the National Assembly serving ex officio.</li> </ol> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Kuwait"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="223456" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-050-487B830A/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/325644/223456"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-050-487B830A/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-050-487B830A/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg?w=300" alt="Kuwait" data-width="1600" data-height="1532" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/83/183683-050-487B830A/World-Data-Locator-Map-Kuwait.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/223456">Kuwait</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The tiny country, which was a British protectorate from 1899 until 1961, drew world attention in 1990 when Iraqi forces invaded and attempted to annex it. A <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">United Nations</a> coalition led by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/United-States" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">United States</a> drove Iraq’s army out of Kuwait within days of launching an offensive in February 1991, but the retreating invaders looted the country and set fire to most of its oil wells (<em>see</em> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Persian-Gulf-War" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Persian Gulf War</a>). Kuwait has largely recovered from the effects of the war and again has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. Its generally <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="conservative" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conservative" data-type="MW">conservative</a> government continues to provide generous material benefits for Kuwaiti citizens, and, though conservative elements in its society resisted such reforms as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/woman-suffrage" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">women’s suffrage</a> (women were not enfranchised until 2005), it has remained relatively stable. It has been called an “oasis” of peace and safety amid an otherwise turbulent region.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref45141"> <h2 class="h1">Land</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="209227" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-050-F3C15213/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/325644/209227"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-050-F3C15213/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-050-F3C15213/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg?w=300" alt="Kuwait Towers" data-width="1600" data-height="1279" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/189235-050-F3C15213/Kuwait-Towers-water-reservoirs-restaurants-city.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/209227">Kuwait Towers</a><span>The Kuwait Towers, containing two water reservoirs and restaurants, in Kuwait city, Kuwait.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Slightly larger in area than the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/state-United-States-political-subdivision" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">U.S. state</a> of Hawaii, Kuwait is bounded to the west and north by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Iraq" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Iraq</a>, to the east by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Persian-Gulf" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Persian Gulf</a>, and to the south by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Saudi-Arabia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Saudi Arabia</a>.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Kuwait is largely a desert, except for <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Al-Jahra-Kuwait" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Al-Jahrāʾ</a> oasis, at the western end of Kuwait Bay, and a few fertile patches in the southeastern and coastal areas. Kuwaiti territory includes nine offshore islands, the largest of which are the uninhabited <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bubiyan" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Būbiyān</a> and Al-Warbah. The island of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Faylakah" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Faylakah</a>, which is located near the entrance of Kuwait Bay, has been populated since prehistoric times.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/guess-the-country-by-its-neighbors-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/247338-131-37776892/passport-visas-stamps-world-map.jpg" alt="Opened passport with visas, stamps, seals, world map. (travel, tourism)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A territory of 2,200 square miles (5,700 square km) along the gulf was shared by Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as a neutral zone until a political boundary was agreed on in 1969. Each of the two countries now <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="administers" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/administers" data-type="EB">administers</a> half of the territory (called the <span id="ref851301"></span>Neutral, or Partitioned, Zone), but they continue to share equally the revenues from oil production in the entire area. Although the boundary with Saudi Arabia is defined, the border with Iraq remains in dispute.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="2" id="ref45142"> <h2 class="h2">Relief</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="62089" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/5791-050-7B1385E1/Kuwait-map-features-locator.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/325644/62089"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/5791-050-7B1385E1/Kuwait-map-features-locator.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/5791-050-7B1385E1/Kuwait-map-features-locator.jpg?w=300" alt="Physical features of Kuwait" data-width="1600" data-height="1327" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/5791-050-7B1385E1/Kuwait-map-features-locator.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/62089">Physical features of Kuwait</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">The relief of <span id="ref484448"></span>Kuwait is generally flat or gently undulating, broken only by occasional low hills and shallow depressions. The elevations range from <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sea-level" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sea level</a> in the east to 951 feet (290 metres) above sea level at <span id="ref484449"></span>Al-Shiqāyā peak, in the western corner of the country. The <span id="ref484450"></span>Al-Zawr Escarpment, one of the main topographic features, borders the northwestern shore of Kuwait Bay and rises to a maximum elevation of 475 feet (145 metres). Elsewhere in coastal areas, large patches of salty marshland have developed. Throughout the northern, western, and central sections of Kuwait, there are desert basins, which fill with water after winter rains; historically these basins formed important watering places, refuges for the camel herds of the Bedouin.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref248530"> <h2 class="h2">Drainage</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="424" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/5789-050-1E14D094/Kuwait-Towers-restaurant-water-reservoirs-city-viewing.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/325644/424"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/5789-050-1E14D094/Kuwait-Towers-restaurant-water-reservoirs-city-viewing.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/5789-050-1E14D094/Kuwait-Towers-restaurant-water-reservoirs-city-viewing.jpg?w=300" alt="Kuwait city, Kuwait: Kuwait Towers" data-width="993" data-height="1491" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/5789-050-1E14D094/Kuwait-Towers-restaurant-water-reservoirs-city-viewing.jpg" data-href="/media/1/325644/424">Kuwait city, Kuwait: Kuwait Towers</a><span>The Kuwait Towers, containing two water reservoirs and a restaurant with a revolving viewing platform, Kuwait city, Kuwait.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Kuwait has no permanent surface water, either in the form of standing bodies such as lakes or in the form of flows such as <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="perennial" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perennial" data-type="MW">perennial</a> rivers. <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="Intermittent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Intermittent" data-type="MW">Intermittent</a> water courses (wadis) are localized and generally terminate in interior desert basins. Little precipitation is absorbed beyond the surface level, with most being lost to evaporation.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref248531"> <h2 class="h2">Soils</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">True soils scarcely exist naturally in Kuwait. Those that exist are of little agricultural productivity and are marked by an extremely low amount of organic matter. Eolian soils and other sedimentary deposits are common, and a high degree of salinity is found, particularly in basins and other locations where residual water pools. One of the environmental consequences of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/Persian-Gulf-War" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Persian Gulf War</a> was the widespread destruction of the desert’s rigid surface layer, which held <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="underlying" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/underlying" data-type="EB">underlying</a> sand deposits in place; this has led to an increase in wind-borne sand and the creation of larger and more numerous sand dunes in the country.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> </section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":9,"pageId":325644,"pageLength":767,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"COUNTRY_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Kuwait | Land, People, Economy, Society, History, & Maps | Britannica