Axion 3D Atlas/ATLAS.iso/stats/131.txt

Text File | 1998-01-23 | 12KB | 317 lines

{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\kuwait.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Kuwait"}



{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Kuwait, click {z,"38.885861,22.545994,57.153485,36.425456",here}{4}!

{2}Location:{4} Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 17,820 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 17,820 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly smaller than New Jersey

{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 464 km
{3}border countries:{4} Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

{2}Coastline:{4} 499 km

{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm

{2}International disputes:{4} in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with
Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and
883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands;
ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi Arabia

{2}Climate:{4} dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

{2}Terrain:{4} flat to slightly undulating desert plain
{3}lowest point:{4} Persian Gulf 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} unnamed location 306 m

{2}Natural resources:{4} petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 0%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 0%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 8%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 0%
{3}other:{4} 92%

{2}Irrigated land:{4} 20 sq km (1989 est.)

{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most
sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution;
desertification

{2}natural hazards:{4} sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April, they bring inordinate
amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur
throughout the year, but are most common between March and August

{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified -
Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

{2}Geographic note:{4} strategic location at head of Persian Gulf


{1}People{4}

{2}Population:{4} 1,950,047 (July 1996 est.)

{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 33% (male 334,778; female 317,241)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 65% (male 757,535; female 507,064)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 2% (male 18,459; female 14,970) (July 1996 est.)

{2}Population growth rate:{4} 6.65% (1996 est.)
{3}note:{4} this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of nationals and expatriates

{2}Birth rate:{4} 20.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Death rate:{4} 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Net migration rate:{4} 48.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.49 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 1.23 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 1.32 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 75.92 years
{3}male:{4} 73.59 years
{3}female:{4} 78.38 years (1996 est.)

{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 2.82 children born/woman (1996 est.)

{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Kuwaiti(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Kuwaiti

{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

{2}Religions:{4} Muslim 85% (Shi'a 30%, Sunni 45%, other 10%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other
15%

{2}Languages:{4} Arabic (official), English widely spoken

{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 78.6%
{3}male:{4} 82.2%
{3}female:{4} 74.9%


{1}Government{4}

{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} State of Kuwait
{3}conventional short form:{4} Kuwait
{3}local long form:{4} Dawlat al Kuwayt
{3}local short form:{4} Al Kuwayt

{2}Type of government:{4} nominal constitutional monarchy

{2}Capital:{4} Kuwait

{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Jahrah,
Al Kuwayt, Hawalli, Al Farwaniyah

{2}Independence:{4} 19 June 1961 (from UK)

{2}National holiday:{4} National Day, 25 February (1950)

{2}Constitution:{4} approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

{2}Legal system:{4} civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

{2}Suffrage:{4} adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait
since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21
{3}note:{4} only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the
pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years will be eligible to vote

{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977) is a hereditary
monarch of the MUBARAK line of the ruling Sabah family
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since
8 February 1978), First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17
October 1992), and Second Deputy Prime Minister Nasir Abdallah al-RUDAN (since NA) were
appointed by the Amir
{3}cabinet:{4} Council of Ministers was appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir

{2}Legislative branch:{4} unicameral
National Assembly (Majlis al-umma): elected members serve four-year terms; elections last held 5
October 1992 (next to be held NA September 1996); results - percent of vote NA; seats - (50 total)
independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National
Assembly

{2}Judicial branch:{4} High Court of Appeal

{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} none

{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins,
merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists

{2}International organization participation:{4} ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC,
ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO,
IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC,
OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim Al SABAH
{3}chancery:{4} 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] [phone]
{3}FAX:{4} [1] [phone]

{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Ryan C. CROCKER
{3}embassy:{4} Bneid al-Gar (opposite the Kuwait International Hotel), Kuwait City
{3}mailing address:{4} P.O. Box 77, SAFAT, 13001 SAFAT, Kuwait; Unit 6900, APO AE 09880-9000
{3}telephone:{4} [965] 2424151 through 2424159
{3}FAX:{4} [965] 2442855

{2}Flag:{4} three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on
the hoist side


{1}Economy{4}

{2}Economic overview:{4} Kuwait is a small and relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves
of about 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Kuwait has rebuilt its war-ravaged petroleum
sector; its crude oil production averaged 2.0 million barrels per day in 1994. The government
continues to record large fiscal deficits. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export
revenues, and 70% of government income. Kuwait lacks water and has practically no arable land,
thus preventing development of agriculture. With the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly
on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Because of its high per
capita income, comparable with Western European incomes, Kuwait provides its citizens with
extensive health, educational, and retirement benefits. Per capita military expenditures are among
the highest in the world. The economy improved moderately in 1994-95, with the growth in
industry and finance. The World Bank has urged Kuwait to push ahead with privatization, including
in the oil industry, but the government will move slowly on this front.

{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $30.8 billion (1995 est.)

{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 3% (1995 est.)

{2}GDP per capita:{4} $17,000 (1995 est.)

{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 0%
{3}industry:{4} 55%
{3}services:{4} 45%

{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 5% (1994 est.)

{2}Labor force:{4} 1 million (1994 est.)
{3}by occupation:{4} industry and agriculture 25.0%, services 25.0%, government and social services
50.0%
{3}note:{4} 80% of labor force non-Kuwaiti (1994 est.)

{2}Unemployment rate:{4} NEGL% (1992 est.)

{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $9.7 billion
{3}expenditures:{4} $14.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY95/96 est.)

{2}Industries:{4} petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials, salt,
construction

{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} 1% (1995 est.)

{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 7,070,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 11 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 6,007 kWh (1993)

{2}Agriculture:{4} practically no crops; extensive fishing in territorial waters

{2}Exports:{4} $11.9 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} oil
{3}partners:{4} US 23%, Japan 13%, Germany 10%, UK 9%, France 8%

{2}Imports:{4} $6.7 billion (f.o.b., 1994)
{3}commodities:{4} food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing
{3}partners:{4} US 14%, Japan 12%, Germany 8%, UK 7%, France 6% (1994 est.)

{2}External debt:{4} $NA

{2}Economic aid:{4} $NA

{2}Currency:{4} 1 Kuwaiti dinar (KD) = 1,000 fils

{2}Exchange rates:{4} Kuwaiti dinars (KD) per US$1 - 0.2993 (January 1996), 0.2984 (1995), 0.2976
(1994), 0.3017 (1993), 0.2934 (1992), 0.2843 (1991)

{2}Fiscal year:{4} 1 July - 30 June


{1}Transportation{4}

{2}Railways:{4} 0 km

{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 4,273 km
{3}paved:{4} NA km (including 280 km of expressways) (1989 est.)
{3}unpaved:{4} NA km

{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km

{2}Ports:{4} Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 46 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,053,667 GRT/3,242,305 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} cargo 10, container 3, liquefied gas tanker 7, livestock carrier 4, oil tanker 21,
vehicle carrier 1 (1995 est.)

{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 4
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 3
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 1 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)


{1}Communications{4}

{2}Telephones:{4} 548,000 (1991 est.)

{2}Telephone system:{4} the civil network suffered some damage as a result of the Gulf war, but most
of the telephone exchanges were left intact and, by the end of 1994, domestic and international
telecommunications had been restored to normal operation; the quality of service is excellent
{3}domestic:{4} new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is
carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire and fiber-optic cable; a cellular
telephone system operates throughout Kuwait and the country is well supplied with pay
telephones
{3}international:{4} coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; satellite earth stations - 3
Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Arabsat

{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 3, FM 0, shortwave 0

{2}Radios:{4} 720,000 (1992 est.)

{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 3 (1986 est.)

{2}Televisions:{4} 800,000 (1993 est.)


{1}Defense{4}

{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Ministry of Interior Forces, Coast Guard

{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 658,270
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 391,586
{3}males reach military age (18) annually:{4} 17,544 (1996 est.)

{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $3.5 billion, 12.8% of GDP (FY95/96)