Kuwait

Overview

Kuwait lies in the Middle East on the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The country holds one of the world's largest proven oil reserves, wealth that has rapidly transformed a traditional society once based on pearl diving and trade into a modern, high-income state since the mid-20th century. Kuwait was a British protectorate until 1961, and in 1990 it was invaded by Iraq, an occupation reversed by an international coalition during the 1991 Gulf War. The official language is Arabic, and a significant portion of the population consists of foreign workers, who make up about two-thirds of the country's total population.

The Kuwait Towers, opened in 1979, consist of three water towers, two of which also serve as a tourist attraction with an observation deck and revolving restaurant, making them one of the country's most recognizable modern symbols. Kuwait City's old town, home to the Souk Al-Mubarakiya market, preserves the memory of traditional commercial life in the shadow of modern skyscrapers, with spices, textiles, and local products. The Grand Mosque, Kuwait's largest, capable of holding 10,000 worshippers at once, is a central site of the country's Islamic religious life. The Tareq Rajab Museum, with its collection of Islamic art and manuscripts, is a significant institution for the region's cultural heritage.

Kuwait's desert interior, in winter when temperatures become more bearable, is a destination for camping and desert excursions for both locals and visitors, reflecting elements of traditional Bedouin camping culture. The Persian Gulf coastline, particularly the beaches around Kuwait Bay, is a popular summer leisure spot for the local population, though temperatures rise extremely high during the summer months. Failaka Island, in the Persian Gulf, with ancient Greek and Islamic-era archaeological sites as well as memorials to the 1990 Iraqi occupation, is a boat-accessible day-trip destination from Kuwait City. Local cuisine blends Arab and Persian influences, with machboos, spiced rice with meat or fish, as a signature dish, often served with dates and Arabic coffee.