世界各国

Kuwait

Introduction to Kuwait

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Government

Capital:

Kuwait 

Independence:

19 June 1961 (from UK) 

National holiday:

National Day, 25 February (1950) 

Economy

Economy overview:

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of about 98 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait's climate limits agricultural development. Consequently, with the exception of fish, it depends almost wholly on food imports. About 75% of potable water must be distilled or imported. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity - $41.46 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.4%
industry: 59.5%
services: 40% (2004 est.) 

Agriculture products:

practically no crops; fish 

Industries:

petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials 

Transportation

Highways:

total: 4,450 km
paved: 3,587 km
unpaved: 863 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines:

gas 169 km; oil 540 km; refined products 57 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

Ash Shu'aybah, Ash Shuwaykh, Kuwait, Mina' 'Abd Allah, Mina' al Ahmadi, Mina' Su'ud

Merchant marine:

total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 2,319,082 GRT/3,768,828 DWT
registered in other countries: 5 (2003 est.)
foreign-owned: India 1, Saudi Arabia 1
by type: bulk 1, container 6, liquefied gas 5, livestock carrier 4, petroleum tanker 21, roll on/roll off 1

Airports:

7 (2003 est.)

Heliports:

3 (2003 est.)