Kuwait, the “fortress built near water” is what it stands for in Arabic. Officially called the State of Kuwait is a small constitutional monarchy. During 17th Century BC, Kuwait was known as ‘Qrain’ or ‘Grane’. The name came from Arabic word ‘Qarn’ means a high hill’ and ‘Kut’ means fortress. The Emir of the Bani Khalid tribe built his ‘Kut’ in Qarane, a small fishing community, now known as Wattiya. Kuwait is a diminutive of Kut.

The foundation of Kuwait as we see it today was planted in 18th century when Utab clan started settling in the area, these people were came from Saudi Arabia. These people were settled in the area with permission from Bani Khalid. Sabah bin Jaber was chosen as the first Sheikh to administer justice and affairs of the town.

In 1764, the younger son Abd Allah was elected by the Utbi merchants, further he changed the Kuwait territory into a prosperous land and independent state with its pearling, shipbuilding and trade.  The method of succession changed as the Head of the Sabah was selected by the family and he became Amir when the merchants promises their faithfulness into him.

Seikh Mubarak the Great signed a treaty with Britain in 1899, the treaty defined Kuwait as “ An independent Country Under British Protection.” Sheikh Mubarak the Great is considered as founder of modern Kuwait. Further many came to stay and earn livelihood or doing business in Kuwait because by the time Kuwait was an orderly administrative state and suitable for business and trade.

Petroleum was discovered in Kuwait in 1938 by the Kuwait Oil Company, but not send out from the region until 1946 as world was suffering with World War II. As Kuwait Oil Company started export of petroleum in 1946, the economy geared up to new heights and Kuwait became a prosperous and wealthy state.

In June 1961, Kuwait signed a new treaty with Great Braitai replacing the treaty of 1899 and admitted into the Arab League. Kuwait became a member of United Nation in 1963. Also the first legislative elections held in Kuwait in 1963, and Sheikh Abdullah, the Emir of Kuwait inaugurated the first National Assembly on February 29, 1963.

Kuwait is located in the northeastern part of Arabian Gulf between Iraq in the north and Saudi Arabia in the south in a semi tropical region. The topography of Kuwait is broken by occasional low hills and shallow depressions. The Kuwait’s terrain is a slightly uneven desert, sloping gradually from sea level in the east, from the coast of the Arabian Gulf to the west and southwest. Kuwait’s terrain also has small hills like Jal Al-Zour Ridge 145 m high to overlooking the northern coast of Kuwait bay. Other hills in Kuwait are Al-Laiyah and Keraa Al-Marw, including valleys and lowlands, locally known as the Al-Khubarat, and sand dunes. The Al-Khubarat Valleys are found in different places, the most important of them are Al-Rawdatain and Umm Al-Aish in the north. The Al-Baten Valley goes along the western borders of Kuwait, and the Al-Sheqaq Valley is in the northwestern part of Kuwait.

The climate in Kuwait is hot and desert throughout the year. Months between April to October are hottest. Temperature reaches to more than 50 degree Celsius in summer. Dust storms are very common in summer months. The winter months in Kuwait are short but worm, temperature in winter months stays around 18 degree Celsius, but sometimes reach to zero degrees. The autumn and spring are short seasons in Kuwait. Rain falls only in the winter and varies in extent from one year to the other.

Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy. Kuwait has the oldest directly elected parliament. Emir is the Chief of the State. The position of Emir (also known as Sheikh) is hereditary. The Emir appoints the prime minister of Kuwait. The  Prime Minister along with other cabinet ministers looks after the administration of the country. The parliament of Kuwait is called the Majlis Al-Umma meaning National Assembly. The members of National Assembly are chosen for a four years term. 

The people living in Kuwait are mainly Muslims, these constitutes to approximately 71% of total population of which nearly 35% belongs to Shi’a Muslim sects. The remaining population is a mix of Christians, Hindus, Parsis, Baha’is, Sikha and others. Islam is the state religion in Kuwait.

The law in Kuwait rarely allows citizenship to outsiders, people other than traditional residents of Kuwait are known as expatriates. Official language is Arabic; this is also language of the masses. Expatriates use English for communication. English also used in business and industrial settings.

The economy of Kuwait is driven by petroleum reserves hidden beneath the ground. It is estimated that Kuwait has worlds’ 10% petroleum reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Since there is lack of water, land in Kuwait is not suitable for agricultural work. Kuwait depends for food grain supplies on imports from other nations. The government controls the oil industry in Kuwait.

With the booming oil business in Kuwait, the Kuwaiti hospitality industry is also on the boom. Though Kuwait is place for business tourism but many comes here to see cultures and places as well. Some places of interest in Kuwait are The Messilah beach located at the Messila coast, Al-Oqeila beach, the Liberation Tower, Kuwait Towers and the National Museum.