Kuwait is a country located in the western part of Asia. It is a relatively small country located in the northern part of eastern Arabia. Kuwait is bordered by Iraq on the northern and western sides. It shares its southern border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Kuwait is considered to be located just at the tip of the Persian Gulf, with the Persian Gulf bordering the country on the eastern side. Kuwait is a welfare Islamic state with little population and high GDP. The population of the country is a little more than 4.5 million. Muslims make more than 80% of the total population and Islam is the official religion of the country. In this article, we will discuss some interesting facts about Kuwait.
Kuwait Facts
1. Kuwait has a highly developed economy
An interesting fact about Kuwait is that it is one of the few Muslim countries that have a highly developed economy. On the Human Development Index ranking, Kuwait stands on number 57th in the world. It has a very high HDI of 0.808. The nominal per capita GDP of the country is more than $28,100. Kuwait is considered to be a country with the 23rd highest per capita GDP in the world.
2. Kuwait’s economy depends on oil reserves
Although Kuwait has a highly developed economy, this economy is mostly dependent on oil reserves of the country. The economy of Kuwait will be on the verge of falling once the oil reserves of the country are depleted.
3. Kuwaiti Dinar is the highest valued currency in the world
You might be surprised to know that Kuwaiti Dinar is the strongest currency in the world, an interesting Kuwait fact. It is the highest valued currency throughout the world. One Kuwaiti Dinar is sold against $3.29. One Kuwaiti Dinar is further divided into smaller units called fils. One Kuwaiti Dinar contains 1,000 fils.
4. Kuwait has the highest literacy rate throughout the Arab world
Kuwait is a country that has the highest literacy rate in the entire Arab world. The literacy rate is even greater than Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the two most known Arab countries. School education in Kuwait is compulsory for all children. The education is free in the country, including both school education and higher education.
5. Kuwait has 10% crude oil reserves of the entire world
Despite being a small country with a total area of around 17,000 km2, Kuwait is considered to have around 10% of the total oil reserves of the entire world. It has total oil reserves of more than 104 billion barrels. The oil reserves in the country were discovered in 1936. Kuwait is considered to have the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world. The country’s economy depends on these oil reserves. The crude and refined oil make more than 80% of the total exports of the country.
6. Kuwait has the fifth tallest telecommunication tower in the world
Liberation tower, located in Kuwait City, is the fifth tallest telecommunication tower in the world. The tower was completed in 1993. This tower stands as a symbol of liberation and the resurgence of Kuwait. It was named Liberation Tower after the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq’s invasion. The Liberation Tower is 372 meters high, 40 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower. It is a good tourist attraction site in the country.
7. Kuwait has a very small proportion of arable land
An interesting fact about Kuwait is that it is covered by desert. Most of the land is covered by wild, hot deserts. Only a small proportion of land is arable. Arable land means the area of land that can be ploughed and used for the cultivation of crops. The country imports most of the food items such as fruits, vegetables, etc. from the south Asian countries.
8. Kuwait has a long coastline
Although the country is highly deserted, it has a long coastline measuring about 290 kilometers. As the country is located at the tip of the Persian Gulf, the entire eastern border of the country is a coastline. This long coastline has several ports along its length. This long coastline has economic value for the country. In addition, the coastline also attracts tourists from different areas of the world.
9. Kuwait has 9 Islands
There are 9 islands that are under the control of Kuwait. These islands are present in the Persian Gulf. They are small islands, except the Bubiyan Island which has a total area of 863 km2. Eight out of the nine small islands of Kuwait are uninhabited. Only one island, the Failaka Island is inhabited. The total area of Failaka island is 20 km2.
10. Kuwait has towers that attract tourists
If you want to visit Kuwait, the only attraction for you there will be the high towers present in the country. The iconic tourist attraction in Kuwait are the Kuwait Towers, an interesting Kuwait fact. These are the three slender towers present in the city of Kuwait. This triplet of towers not only represents the economic resurgence of the country, but they are also World cultural as well as touristic landmarks. In addition to the Kuwait Towers, the Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City is also a great tourist attraction site. It is a tall skyscraper and the tallest building in Kuwait. The Al Hamra tower is known as the 23rd tallest tower in the world.
Conclusion
Kuwait is a Muslim country located in the neighborhood of Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The country has the highest per capita GDP among the Muslim countries. Kuwaiti Dinar is the strongest currency in the world. The economy of the country is solely dependent on the oil reserves. Kuwait has the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves which were discovered in 1934. The country has a tall telecommunication tower, called the Liberation Tower because it represents the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq’s invasion. Other famous towers of Kuwait are the Kuwait Towers and the Al Hamra Tower. It has 9 islands and a long coastline. Most of the land in the country is a desert. Only a small land is arable.
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