Overview of Kuwait
Overview of Kuwait Last updated on Tuesday 20th April 2010
Official name
Kuwait (Dawlat al-Kuwayt)
Administrative divisions
5 governances
Capital
Kuwait (Al-Kuwayt), 1.090.000 people (1996)
Other cities
Al-Jahra (139.476 people), as-Salimiyah (116.104 people), Hawalli (84.478 people), al-Farwaniyah (47.106 people).
Population
2.093.889 (December 1996)
Kuwaitis: 732.403
Non-Kuwaitis 1.361.486
Languages
Arabic is the official language; English is widely used in business
Currency
Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
KD 1 = US $ 3.2445
The currency is accepted worldwide and complies with the International Monetary Fund exchange regulations.
Religion
Islam is the official religion; Muslims %85, others %15 (mostly Christians and Hindu).
Electricity
240 volts, 50 cycles AC
Business hours:
Shops: 8.30am-12.30pm and 4.30-9.00pm
Banks: 8.30am-12.30pm, Sunday to Thursday
All banks have 24-hour Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facilities.
Working week: Saturday to Thursday
Private firms usually work half a day on Thursday.
Government offices (including educational establishments) are generally closed on Thursday and Friday.
Public holidays
1st January: New Year's Day
25th February: National Day
25th February: Liberation Day
Other public holidays occurring at variable dates every year according the Gregorian calendar include:
Mount Arafat Day, Eid Al-Adha (three days holiday).
Islamic New Year's Day.
Birth Day of Prophet Mohamed.
Al-Esra wa Al-Mi'raj (Prophet Mohamed's ascension to Heaven).
Eid El-Fitr (three days holiday).
International dialing code
+965
Time zone
GMT + 3 hours