43 Most Interesting Facts about Kuwait | What is Known for?
A small Western Asian count Kuwait, can meet your eyes with an enriched culture formed with thousands of year’s history.
“The State of Kuwait” actually Kuwait is an oasis in the center of the desert with around 4.5 million of the population; with the world’s highest-valued currency that the Kuwaiti Dinar, it’s no wonder.
Saudi Arabia borders this country to the south & Iraq to the west & north; this is the sixth-largest oil-rich country, associated with many interesting facts, as we mentioned below.
Fast Facts | Basic Information about Kuwait
Official Name: State of Kuwait
Capital City: Kuwait City
Population: 4,420,110
Area: 17,818 sq km
Major Languages: Arabic, English
Time Zone: UTC+3 (Arabia Standard Time)
– Source: CIA World Fact Book
Interesting Facts about Kuwait to make you wonder
What is Kuwait Known for?
No#1: The name originates from where?
The Arabic word “Kut,” which means “fort,” the original name of “Kuwait,” derived from there.
No#2: World’s third-richest country:
In the Middle East, Kuwait belongs in the third-richest country measuring by GDP per capita depending on (PPP) purchasing power parity. Also, position the 21st richest in the world.
No#3: The World’s Sixth biggest Oil Reserve:
Kuwait contains 8% of oil reserves sixth biggest in the world. It holds almost 104 billion barrels of oil situated in the Burgan field.
No#4: Date of first settlement:
From 4500 BC, there was proved the first settlement in Kuwait.
No#5: The world’s oldest sea-going boat:
Archaeologists discovered the world’s oldest sea-going boat in Kuwait; it happened in 2001.
No#6: Kuwait’s “Golden Era:”
Kuwait’s “Golden Era was known as between the periods of 1946-1982. During this time, Kuwait became prosperous, receiving independence in 1961.
No#7: The first Emir of Kuwait:
“Mubarak al Sabah” The Great man was the seventh ruler of Kuwait, from May 18, 1896, until his death on November 28, 1915.
The first Emir of the country was Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah after the independence of Kuwait. “Mubarak as-Sabah” legacy is posterity to descendants.
No#8: History of Ottoman Empire:
In the 1600s, Kuwait was a part of the Ottoman Empire, and then in the 1700s, natives came to the present-day Kuwait town, turning it into a trading center during the 1800s.
No#9: The world’s top skyscraper:
Kuwait has the world’s tallest skyscraper building; the proposed 1,001m Burj Mubarak al-Kabir is anticipated to be done in 2030. Its height is a credit to the classic cluster of South Asian & Middle Eastern folk tales.
Kuwait Flag Meaning
No#11: Flag feelings:
The flag of Kuwaiti is horizontally robbed green-white-red with a truncated black triangle. Ṣafī ad-Dīn al-Ḥilli wrote a poem in the 13th century subjecting the flag colors.
Fun Facts about Kuwait
No#12: Size of Kuwait:
Slightly Kuwait is smaller than the New Jersey state as to the land area. On the other side, America is 552 times larger than Kuwait. Kuwait has an all-together total boundary length area is 462 kilometers, also a shore of 499 kilometers.
But with Iraq, Kuwait does not have any fixed boundary.
No#13: The first Gulf nation:
Kuwait is the first Gulf nation to have made a constitution and parliament.
Kuwait City at Night
No#14: Liberation tower:
Liberation Tower in Kuwait is one of the tallest towers in the world, almost 1220 feet-the second-tallest structure. The tower has an observation platform & a revolving restaurant.
No#15: Gift specialty:
If a man gifts anything to a woman, it can’t ensue from him but obviously from his wife, sister, mother, or another female relative.
No#16: Kuwait’s economic facts:
Mostly petroleum dependence economy; petroleum & fertilizers are their key export products.
No#17: Iraq attack history:
In August 1990, Iraq forcibly annexed & invaded Kuwait.
No#18: Sovereign wealth fund:
The KIA is the world’s ancient sovereign wealth fund; also the Arab world’s largest investor. In 2013An, an estimated report says that Kuwait invested around $8.4 billion in FDI.
No#19: The fact of Palestinian settler:
Most of the Palestinians living in Kuwait were banned after the Gulf War as they were considered to be sympathetic towards Iraq. Then Palestinians were replaced by South Asians, Syrians, Iranians, and Egyptians.
No#20: National bird:
Throughout all places of Kuwait, you can find Falcons. Kuwaiti currencies & stamps always bear falcon imagery. This is the national bird; that’s why this bird is so dominant.
No#21: National anthem:
Kuwait calls Al-Nasheed Al-Watani as their National anthem, and poet Ahmad Meshari Al-Adwani wrote the lyrics; in 1978, first played.
No#22: Interesting camel racing:
In 2006 as the first country Kuwait introduce camel racing with robotic jockeys.
No#23: Labor force system:
Kuwaiti natives are largely employed by the government & public sectors; settlers comprise 80% of the nation’s labor force.
No#24: Machboos- favorite food:
Perhaps Machboos is the most popular dish in Kuwaiti, a big platter of rice and lamb, fish or chicken served with a tomato sauce (homemade) called “daqqus.”
The meat is served with a mixture of spices; then, the platter is placed on top with a caramelized onion decoration.
No#25: Meals serving system:
They serve the meal in family-style; generally, maintain a strict order, they serve the guests first, then the oldest member of the family, continuing down to the little person.
No#26: Women dress up details:
For women, their conventional dress is a full-length-sleeved abaya covering what dressing they are wearing below. They use hijab to cover hair.
Additionally, some women put in a black veil of niqab sleeving the full face.
No#27: Men dress up details:
Kuwaiti men always love to wear a thobe or Dishdasha. During any special occasion, A Bisht can be worn.
Kuwait Culture Facts
No#28: Kuwait’s festivals:
“Eid el-Fitr” after the end of Ramadan is the happiest of all Kuwait’s festivals. These festivities continue for several days; they visit with family & friends; gift also exchanges.
No#29: A hot place to visit:
- Seif Palace.
- 360 Mall
- Mirror house
- Tareq Rajab Museum.
- Magic Planet of Kuwait.
- American Cultural Centre.
- Aqua Park
- Kuwait Zoo
- Kuwait Towers
- Grand Mosque
No#30: Religion:
Kuwait is an Islamic state, but this is the only GCC country after Bahrain to have a native Christian population holding citizenship.
In modern times, Islam is influencing the houses & lifestyle of the Kuwaitis.
No#31: Capital population:
According to 2016, Kuwait has a 4.5 million people population: around 1.3 million are Kuwaitis, and the rest of 3.2 million are expatriates.
No#32: No railways:
In Kuwait, there are no railways.
No#33: Highest literacy rate:
Throughout the entire Arab world, Kuwait has the highest literacy rate, even the rate is greater than the United Arab Emirates & Saudi Arabia, the two most popular Arab countries.
No#34: Compulsory education:
In Kuwait, School education is compulsory for all kids in both schools, and higher education is free in the country.
No#35: 9 Islands:
Kuwait controls nine islands that belong to them. In the Persian Gulf, these islands exit. Without Bubiyan Island (863 km2 of total area), all islands are small. Surprisingly out of the nine, eight islands are uninhabited. Failaka Island is inhabited around 20 km2.
No#36: House privacy:
Direct exposure between strange men & women is banned at all times. The house was also built with privacy to preserve the inhabitants at all times.
No#37: Women voting right:
For the first time, Women voted in April 2006 in Kuwait.
No#38: Impossible firming:
Difficult climatic in this country make farming impossible here. Hence, Kuwait purchases food from other countries but collects fish on its own.
No#39: Water crisis:
Kuwait has no permanent lakes & rivers, which means no fresh-water sources. It uses
Fountain water and purifies seawater for drinking purposes & and other needs.
No#40: No natural forests:
Kuwait belongs no natural forests but billions of barrels of oil in its underground reserves.
No#41: No colonies or territories:
There are no colonies or territories in Kuwait.
No#42: ‘Fattest’ country:
Kuwait appears on the list of the top-ten ‘fattest’ countries globally; approximately 42.8% population is obese individuals. They prefer a rich diet without involving in exercising work.
No#43: Sadu Weaving-Traditional Craft:
In Kuwait, Al Sadu is a traditional craft.
Hence a Muslim country Kuwait has the highest per capita & the world’s strongest currency with a strong economy offering many interesting facts. Leave a comment for us about your valuable comments.