What Continent is Kuwait In?
Kuwait is a word derived from an Arabian word “Kut,” meaning a small establishment surrounded by fortresses. The name was given to the country by immigrants from the Persian Gulf. Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world covering only 6,880 square miles. The country is largely a desert with only less than 1% of the land being arable. The terrain is flat with no rivers and water for use being from desalination. The temperatures can go to a high of 54.4°C.
History of Kuwait
Kuwait is an ancient town with records indicating that it was a well-established urban trade zone in 150 CE. It provided a center for interaction between the Mesopotamia elites and Arabs in 6500 BCE as evidenced by Mesopotamia architecture and art. In the 4th century BCE, Greeks colonized it under Alexander the Great. The “Battle of Chains” was fought in Kuwait in 636 CE leading to control of the fortress by the Sassanid Empire which introduced Islam. The Portuguese later conquered the region and by 1551, they were in control of it until 1613 when the Bani Khalid clan took over. Being a trade route for a ship on transit across India, Muscat, Baghdad, and Arabia, it prospered and expanded in the 17th and 18th century.
However, during the First World War, trade declined due to war and economic sanctions. This recession continued and many merchants moved their base, making Kuwait lose its significance as a trade base. Nevertheless, the period starting 1946 ushered the beginning of prosperity again due to the discovery of oil. By 1952, they had risen to world leading seller of petroleum products.
In 1961, Kuwait attained its independence from the British and held the first free elections in 1963. Kuwait is considered as the most elite country in the Persian Gulf. The capital city is called Kuwait.
In Which Continent Is Kuwait Located?
Kuwait is located on the continent of Asia, more specifically in the portion of western Asia generally associated with the Middle East. Kuwait borders the northern tip of the Persian Gulf, as well as Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Although it is close to the horn of Africa, the country is on the Asian continent with Iran as its neighbor. Evidence that Kuwait is in Asia is backed by its participation in sports events such West Asia Games. Kuwait is also a member of the Olympic Council of Asia. The country also participates in economic and financial forums in the continent that empowers member countries and makes trade favorable. These include Asia Pacific Trade Agreements (APTA), Economic integration in the Asian continent (EIAC), and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Kuwait also offers the Asian system of education and participates in various continental celebrations and calendar events.
Politics and Governance
Kuwait has both a monarchy and Emir Leader (head of state). This Unitary constitutional monarchy offers a hybrid system that share between an elected parliament and an appointed government. Kuwait is the most democratic state in the Middle East with a modern constitution and liberal gender policies.
Economy of Kuwait
The major economic activity in Kuwait is oil exploration. Oil has made Kuwait one of the richest with the currency “The Kuwait Dinar” fetching the highest value in foreign exchange. The World Bank rates Kuwait as the fourth wealthiest country in the world. The financial and commercial sector is also well developed with the “Kuwait Investment Authority” regulating it.
