The Constitutional Emirate That Started the First Gulf War
Kuwait is a small Gulf emirate with the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world. The country is notable for being the first Gulf state to have a democratically elected parliament (since 1963, though the Emir can and has dissolved it repeatedly).
Kuwait’s modern history is defined by the 1990 Iraqi invasion — Saddam Hussein’s annexation of Kuwait triggered the international Gulf War of 1991 in which a US-led coalition expelled Iraqi forces in 42 days. The war’s environmental legacy included 600+ oil wells set ablaze by retreating Iraqis, burning for over nine months and becoming one of the worst environmental disasters in history.
A Brief History
Kuwait has been ruled by the Al Sabah family since 1752. British protection 1899-1961, then independence. The Iraqi invasion of August 1990 and its defeat in 1991 defined modern Kuwait. The country has been relatively stable since.
Geography and Climate
Kuwait covers 17,818 km² — small, flat, desert. One of the world’s hottest summer temperatures regularly exceed 50°C.
Culture, Language and Religion
Arabic is official. Religion: approximately 76% Muslim (Sunni ~70%, Shia ~30% of Muslims).
The Economy
Kuwait has a high-income economy (~$160 billion GDP in 2024). Oil dominates (over 90% of exports).
Travel Guide
Entry: Visa on arrival for most Western nationalities.
Best seasons: November-March.
Surprising Facts
- Kuwait has the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world.
- Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 triggered the Gulf War.
- The Kuwait Oil Fires of 1991 — set by retreating Iraqi forces — burned over 600 wells for 9+ months.
- Kuwait was the first Gulf state to have a democratically elected parliament (1963).
- Kuwaiti women received voting rights only in 2005.
- The Kuwaiti dinar is the world’s highest-valued currency — 1 KWD ≈ 3.25 USD.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.