Kuwait Country & Tourist Information

Location
Middle East.

Area
17,818 sq km (6,880 sq miles).

Population
2.7 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
151.53 per sq km.

Capital
Kuwait City.
Population: 1.2 million (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Traditional Arab monarchy. Gained full independence from the UK in 1961.

Language
Arabic, but English is widely understood, especially in commerce and industry.

Religion
95% Muslim (mostly of the Sunni sect), with Christian and Hindu minorities.

Time
GMT + 3.

Electricity
240 volts AC, 50Hz; single phase. UK-type flat three-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Muhammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah.

Head of State
Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah since 2006.

Recent History
Following the death of His Highness Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, his Highness Sheikh Sa’ad al-Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah became Emir in January 2006. He ruled for just nine days before the parliament voted him out of office due to his ill health. Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah took over the role. Kuwait was the first Arab country in the Gulf to have an elected parliament. Moves to change the male-dominated political structure culminated in the granting of full political rights to women in 2005.

Telephone
Country code: 965.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good.

Internet
Internet cafes throughout Kuwait provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. Many hotels have business centers with Internet access.

Media
Although remaining loyal to the ruling family, the press enjoys a fair degree of freedom.

Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes about five days.

Post office hours: Sat-Wed 0700-1400, Thurs 0700-1200.

Press
• The English language newspapers are the Arab Times and the Kuwait Times.

Radio
• Radio Kuwait is state run.
• Marina FM is a private music station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
25 Feb National Day.
26 Feb Liberation Day. 
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 
20 Jul Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Islamic New Year.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
25 Feb National Day.
26 Feb Liberation Day. 
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 
9 Jul Al-Esra Wa Al-Meraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
7 Dec Islamic New Year.

Note
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) If a holiday falls on a Friday, a day is given in lieu.

Contact Information:

Touristic Enterprises Company of Kuwait
PO Box 23310, Safat 13094, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Tel: 565 3771 or 2775.
Website: www.kuwaittourism.com

Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the UK
2 Albert Gate, London SW1X 7JU, UK
Tel: (020) 7590 3400 or 3415 (consular section).
Website: www.kuwaitinfo.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230 and 1400-1600 (visa collection only). Open 1000-1400 during Ramadan.

Kuwait Information Center in the UK
Hyde Park House, 60/60A Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7JX, UK
Tel: (020) 7235 1787.
Website: www.kuwaitinfo.org.uk

Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the USA
2940 Tilden Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 966 0702.
Fax: (202) 364 2868.


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