Fast Facts about Kuwait
- Official name Kuwait
- Capital Kuwait City
- Area 17,818 sq km
- Population 2.8 million
- Country code 965
- Head of state Emir Shaikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah
- Annual number of tourists 91,000
- Stereotypes ‘Filthy rich’ with 10% of the world’s oil reserves
- Surprises Wealth not as conspicuously evident as may be expected
Places in Kuwait: Al-Jahra- Al-Jahra, 32km west of Kuwait City, is the site where invading troops from Saudi Arabia were defeated (with British help) in 1920. It was also the site of the Gulf War’s infamous ‘turkey shoot’ – the Allied destruction of a stalled Iraqi convoy as it lumbered up Mutla Ridge in an effort to retreat from Kuwait. The highway and surrounding desert are now completely clear of evidence, picked over by scrap-metal dealers and dubious souvenir hunters.
Kuwait City- With its landmark triple towers looming over a clean and accessible corniche; a first-class aquarium and some excellent museums; stunning pieces of marine and land architecture; malls and souqs to please the most discerning or eclectic of shoppers; and a selection of restaurants to whet the appetite of the fussiest gourmands, Kuwait City is a sophisticated and interesting destination in its own right. Add to its sights and attractions a harrowing layer of modern history, the effects of which rumble invisibly below the surface, and there is enough to keep all but the dedicated nightclubber intrigued for days.
When to go & weather: In summer (April to September) Kuwait is intensely hot. The fact that it is not quite as humid as neighbouring Gulf States is not much consolation. There are plenty of air-conditioned amenities, however, to make a summer visit tolerable.
The winter months are positively chilly in the evenings, but with pleasant daytime temperatures hovering around 18°C. Sandstorms occur throughout the year, and are particularly common in spring (February to April). During spring, the desert is laced in a gossamer of lime green and the city is decorated with petunias, making it the most pleasant time to visit.