te, with all women, "recently naturalized" citizens (i.e. those of less than thirty years' citizenship), and members of the armed forces excluded. On May 16, 2005, Parliament permitted women's suffrage by a 35-23 vote, subject to official interpretation of Islamic law and effective for the 2006 Parliamentary Election. The decision could raise Kuwait's voter rolls from 139,000 to as many as 339,000 if all eligible women register; the total number of Kuwaitis is estimated at more than 960,000. Recently, the former Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah announced the appointment of Dr Massouma Mubarak as planning minister and minister of state for administrative development affairs. The appointment of a woman as a cabinet minister was a major breakthrough in Kuwaiti political system and it makes Kuwait the third country in the conservative Persian Gulf Arab monarchies to have a woman cabinet minister. On the other hand, the government has managed to pass laws in the years 2005-2006 that restrict the freedom of speech. Laws such as the new media law, has become a huge obstacle for writers and citizens who might consider criticizing the government's performance. Lately there have been many newspaper writers sent to court for stating their opinions regarding the government or specific ministries' performance including a court order to shut down a leading Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Watan for three days and a magazine editor being sent to jail for criticizing the government action towards a specific incident. See also: Al-Sabah and Elections in Kuwait Geography Main article: Geography of Kuwait Sandstorm over Kuwait in April, 2003 Located in the north-west corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait is one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. Kuwait is the only country in the world which has no natural lake or water reservoir.[28] There is little difference in the country's altitude with the highest point in the country being 306 m above sea-level.[29] It has nine islands, all of which with the exception of Failaka Island are uninhabited.[30] With an area of 860 km², the Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait and is connected to the rest of the country by a 2,380 m long bridge.[31] Sparse vegetation is found along its 499 km long coastline.[32] Kuwait City is located on Kuwait Bay, a natural deep-water harbor. The land area is considered arable.[33] Kuwait has some of the world's richest oil fields with the Burgan field having a total capacity of approximately 70 billion barrels (11,000,000,000 m³) of proven oil reserves. During the 1991 Kuwait oil fires, more than 500 oil lakes were created covering a combined surface area of about 35.7 km².[34] The resulting soil contamination due to oil and soot accumulation had made eastern and south-eastern parts of Kuwait uninhabitable. Sand and oil residue had reduced large parts of the Kuwaiti desert to semi-asphalt surfaces.[35] The oil spills during the Gulf war also had drastically affected Kuwait's marine resources.[36] Kuwait has a warm tropical climate. Summer, which last from April to September, is extremely hot and dry with temperatures easily crossing 45 °C (113 °F) during daytime.[37] Winter season, from November through February, is cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13 °C (56 °F) with extremes from -2 °C to 27 °C. Annual rainfall averages less than 127 mm and occurs chiefly between October and April.[38] The spring season in March is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. The frequent winds from the northwest are cool in winter and spring and hot in summer. Southeasterly winds, usually hot and damp, spring up between July and October; hot and dry south winds prevail in spring and early summer. The shamal, a northwesterly wind common during June and July, causes dramatic sandstorms.[39] Governorates Map of Kuwait Main article: Governorates of Kuwait Kuwait is divided into six governorates (muhafazat, sing. muhafadhah): Al Ahmadi Al Farwaniyah Al Asimah Al Jahra Hawalli Mubarak Al-Kabeer The governorates are subdivided into districts. The major cities are the capital Kuwait City and Jahrah (a thirty-minute drive northwest of Kuwait City). The main residential and business areas are Salmiya and Hawalli. The main industrial area is Shuwaikh within the Al Asimah Governorate. The main palace is the As-Seef Palace in the old part of Kuwait City where the Emir runs the daily matters of the country whilst the government headquarters are in the Bayan Palace and the Emir lives in Dar Salwa. Economy Main article: Economy of Kuwait An oil refinery in Mina-Al-Ahmadi, Kuwait. Kuwait is a highly industrialized country with a GDP (PPP) of US$138.6 billion[40] and a per capita income of US$55,300[41], making it the fourth richest country in the world.[42] Kuwait's human development index (HDI) stands at 0.871, the second highest in Middle East, after Israel and the highest in the Arab world. With a GDP growth rate of 5.7%, Kuwait has one of the fastest growing economies in the region.[43] According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the Middle East.[44] In March 2007, Kuwait's foreign exchange reserves stood at US$213 billion.[45] The Kuwait Stock Exchange, which has about 200 firms listed, is the second-largest stock exchange in the Arab world with a total market capitalization of US$235 billion.[46] In 2007, the Kuwaiti government posted a budget surplus of US$43 billion.[47] Kuwait has a proven crude oil reserves of 104 billion barrels (15 km³)[48], estimated to be 10% of the world's reserves. Being a tax-free country, Kuwait's oil industry accounts for 80% of government revenue. Petroleum and petrochemicals accounts for nearly half of GDP and 95% of export revenues. Increases in oil price since 2003 has caused a surge in Kuwait's economy.[49] Kuwait's current oil production of 2.8 million bpd is expected to increase to 4 million bpd by 2020.[50] To realize this production target, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation plans to spend US$51 billion between 2007 to 2012 to upgrade and expand the country's existing refineries.[51] Other major industries include shipping, construction, cement, water desalination, construction materials and financial services.[52] 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. The government is keen on decreasing Kuwait's dependence on oil to fuel its economy by transforming it into a regional trading and tourism hub. The planned US$77 billion City of Silk is the largest real estate development project in the Middle East.[53] The Central Bank of Kuwait issues Kuwait’s currency, the Kuwaiti dinar. In December 2007, the dinar was the highest valued currency unit in the world.[54] In 2007, estimated exports stood at US$59.97 billion and imports were around US$17.74 billion. Petroleum, petrochemical products, fertilizers and financial services are major export commodities. Kuwait imports a wide range of products ranging from food products and textiles to machinery. Kuwait's most important trading partners are Japan, South Korea, United States, China, European Union, Saudi Arabia and India.[55] Demographics Main article: Demographics of Kuwait Kuwait has one of the most cosmopolitan societies in the Middle East. As of 2007, Kuwait's population is estimated to be 3 to 3.5 million people which included approximately 2 million non-nationals.[56] Kuwaiti citizens are therefore a minority of those who reside in Kuwait. The government only rarely grants citizenship to non-citizens. About 57% of Kuwaiti population is Arab, 39% Asian (including people from South Asia), and 4% are classified Bidoon.[57] Bidoons are a group of stateless Arab residents of Kuwait. Other large groups of expatriates include Assyrians, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Filipinos. In 2003, more than 400,000 Indian nationals lived in Kuwait,[58] making them the largest expatriate community there.[59] After Kuwait was liberated from Iraqi occupation, most of the 400,000 Palestinians living in Kuwait were expelled because of their government's open support for the Iraqi forces. Only a few thousand Palestinians remain in Kuwait.[60] The population of ethnic Armenians in Kuwait also shrank drastically following the events of the Iraq-Kuwait war.[61] 80% of Kuwait's population practices Islam.[62] Despite Islam being a state religion,[63] Kuwait has large communities of Christians (est. 300,000 to 400,000), Hindus (est. 300,000), Buddhists (est. 100,000), and Sikhs (est. 10,000).[64] Of the Muslims in Kuwait, 70% are Sunni and 30% are Shia Muslims.[65] Kuwait's official language is Arabic, though English is widely spoken. Other important languages include Persian, Hindi, Urdu, Filipino, and Bengali. Infrastructure Water reservoirs in Kuwait. Kuwait's infrastructure was severely damaged during the First Gulf War. Fleeing Iraqi soldiers were also ordered to set hundreds of oil wells on fire and the country's oil production had come to standstill. Much has changed since the end of the Gulf War. The Kuwaiti government has spent billions of dollars to construct an elaborate roadway system, and, the telecommunication industry achieved an incredible growth rate. Kuwait City boasts more than two dozen five-star hotels and resorts and several skyscrapers dominate the city's skyline. Kuwait Infrastructure Maintenance Management System overlooks the oil-rich country's infrastructure. Kuwait's energy sector is the main source for 47% of the country's annual income.[citation needed] Kuwait has several major infrastructure projects planned, including one of the biggest seafront projects in the world, Madinat al-Hareer.[citation needed] If completed, this project would include the world's tallest tower, and, numerous housing, health, education, environmental, business, and tourism centres. Other major projects are the development of a deep-water port on Bubiyan Island, which could become a gateway for trade into Iraq and western Iran.[citation needed] However, political tension between the National Assembly and the government has severely delayed and hampered the approval and development of most infrastructure projects. Transportation Shuwaikh Port is the largest commercial port in Kuwait. Kuwait has an extensive, modern and well-maintained network of highways. Roadways extended 5,749 km, of which 4,887 km is paved.[66] In 2000, there were some 552,400 passenger cars, and 167,800 commercial taxis, trucks, and buses in use. Since there is no railway system in the country, most of the people travel by automobiles.[67] The government plans to construct US$11 billion rail network which will include a city metro for its capital.[68] Bus services are provided by City Bus and state-owned Kuwait Public Transportation Corporation.[69] There are a total of seven airports in the country, of which four have paved runways. Kuwait International Airport serves as the principal hub for international air travel. State-owned Kuwait Airways is the largest airline in the country. In 2001, the airline carried 2,084,600 passengers on domestic and international flights.[70] In 2004, the first private airline of Kuwait, Jazeera Airways, was launched.[71] Kuwait has one of the largest shipping industry in the Persian Gulf region. The Kuwait Ports Public Authority manages and operates ports across Kuwait.[72] The country’s principal commercial seaports are Shuwaikh and Shuaiba which handled combined cargo of 753,334 TEU in 2006.[73] Mina Al-Ahmadi, the largest port in the country, handles most of Kuwait's oil exports.[74] Construction of another major port located in Bubiyan island started in 2005. The port is expected to handle 1.3 million TEU when operation starts in 2008.[75] Education A kindergarten school in Kuwait. Oil revenues have allowed Kuwait to build an extensive educational system, yielding a literacy rate of 82.9 percent. There are a lot of private schools in Kuwait, including The English School,[76] which was the first private school to open in Kuwait. Other private schools include the Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School (Delhi Public School), Jabriya Indian School, Indian Community School, Al-Bayan Bilingual School,Gulf Indian School, Carmel School (Kuwait),[77] The British School of Kuwait, Kuwait English School, The Gulf English School, The American School of Kuwait,[78] American International School, universal american school, and The New English School. All private schools offer different and competitive programs, and whilst each school strives to be the best at private education, different parents and expatriates prefer different private schools naturally. Public schooling is free and compulsory from the age of 5 to 18, and several private schools also teach this age group. Kuwait University is Kuwait's only public university. The medical school in particular, provides up-to-date training for students.[citation needed] Both the extensive library system at Kuwait University and the collection at Kuwait National Museum (1957) were heavily damaged and looted during the Iraqi occupation in the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Other universities in Kuwait include the American University of Kuwait, the Gulf University for Science and Technology, the Australian College of Kuwait, the Arab Open University (AOU) and the AUM. The Gulf University for Science and Technology was the first private university established in Kuwait in 2002. It currently has two campuses in Hawalli and a third campus in Mishref where the Australian College of Kuwait is also located. The American University of Kuwait opened in 2004 with Dr. Shafeeq Al-Ghabra as founding president. The Australian College of Kuwait also opened in 2004 and there are more universities and colleges being discussed. Box Hill College Kuwait, an Australian women's college, opened its doors in September 2007 in Abu Halifa. It is an accredited extended campus of Box Hill TAFE, Australia, and offers internationally recognized qualifications. Culture Main articles: Culture of Kuwait, Music of Kuwait, and Cinema of Kuwait Media The 372 m tall Kuwait Telecommunications Tower is the main communication tower of Kuwait. Kuwait has one of the most vocal and transparent media in the Arab World.[79] In 2007, Kuwait was ranked second in the Middle East after Israel in the freedom of press index.[80] Though the government funds several leading newspapers and satellite channels,[81] Kuwaiti journalists enjoy greater freedom than their regional counterparts.[82] State-owned Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) is the largest media house in the country. The Ministry of Information regulates all media and communication industry in Kuwait.[83] In 1998, there were 6 AM and 11 FM radio stations and 13 television stations. In 2000, there were 624 radios and 486 television sets for every 1,000 people. In 2001, there were 165,000 Internet subscribers served by three service providers.[84] Kuwait has ten satellite television channels of which four are controlled by the Ministry of Information. State-owned Kuwait Television (KTV) offered first colored broadcast in 1974 and operates three television channels.[85] Government-funded Radio Kuwait also offers daily informative programming in four foreign languages including Persian, Urdu, Tagalog and English on the AM and SW. In 1998, Kuwait had eight major daily newspapers in circulation of which two were in English and six were in Arabic. In 2002, the Arab Times was the most popular English daily followed by the Kuwait Times. Al-Anabaa, with a circulation of 106,800 copies, was the most widely read Arabic daily.[86] A press law forbids insulting references to God and Islamic prophet Muhammad. Another law which made leading newspaper publishers eligible for hefty fines for criticizing the ruling family was lifted in 1992. Leading newspapers continue to impose self-restraint while being critical of the emir.[87] However, no such restraint is observed while criticizing the government.[88] See also [1]Kuwait Friday Market Communications in Kuwait Foreign relations of Kuwait Geography of Kuwait Human rights in Kuwait Kuwait Boy Scouts Association Kuwait Girl Guides Association Kuwaiti architecture Kuwaiti Family Committee List of Kuwaiti companies List of Kuwaitis Madinat al-Hareer Military of Kuwait Gulf War Postal history and stamps Transportation in Kuwait References ^ Nominal. ^ Kuwaiti Citizens approx. one million (1,054,598) and approx. two million (2,345,039) non-nationals (31/12/2007). ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Rank Order - GDP (purchasing power parity) ^ Kuwait (History) - the name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning fortress built near water ^ Oil & Gas Journal, January, 2007 ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Rank Order - GDP - per capita (PPP) ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ CNN.com - Kuwait still recovering from Gulf War fires - Jan. 3, 2003 ^ BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Country profiles | Country profile: Kuwait ^ http://www.kuwait-info.com/sidepages/nat_history.asp ^ Kuwait's History ^ Kuwait (06/07) ^ Kuwait (06/07) ^ Kuwait’s Souk al-Manakh Stock Bubble ^ Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait; 1990 ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=DejCbO1mvCYC&pg=PA156&dq=Kuwait+slant+drilling&sig=81dk_v5ZZ1F0oRhxuR6Fq7z61Qs ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=DejCbO1mvCYC&pg=PA156&dq=Kuwait+slant+drilling&sig=81dk_v5ZZ1F0oRhxuR6Fq7z61Qs ^ CNS - The Significance of the "Death" of Ali Hassan al-Majid ^ Kuwait ^ Kuwait ^ http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Iraq/Iraqtext ^ Kuwait Ted Case ^ NASA - Top Story - 1991 KUWAIT OIL FIRES - March 21, 2003 ^ http://earthshots.usgs.gov/Iraq/Iraqtext ^ CNN.com In-Depth Specials - Gulf War ^ Kuwait Oil Fires, Persian Gulf War - ¦ further reading: ^ http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?sf=2813&art_id=qw104820750289B262&click_id=2813&set_id=1 ^ Kuwait - Quick facts, statistics and cultural notes ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ Bubiyan (island, Kuwait) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia ^ Structurae [en]: Bubiyan Bridge (1983) ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ Kuwaiti Oil Lakes - Sidebar - MSN Encarta ^ Kuwait Ted Case ^ Kuwait (country) - MSN Encarta ^ Kuwait (country) - MSN Encarta ^ Kuwait :: Climate - Britannica Online Encyclopedia ^ Kuwait :: Climate - Britannica Online Encyclopedia ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Rank Order - GDP - per capita (PPP) ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ Index of Economic Freedom ^ AFP: Kuwait plans 77 billion dollar 'City of Silk' ^ http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gMAVPh33JPeYgGbSc3XLOgTRcP6A ^ http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hb3ISwr0QiNj-lErPVrAAiHKphAg ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ Sparking the recovery: high oil prices are generating wealth for Kuwait and facilitating a massive construction programme. How is the country's electricity infrastructure placed to cope with the new demands that will be made upon it? - Journal, Magazine, Article, Periodical ^ UPDATE 2-Kuwait keeps 2020 oil capacity aim despite problems | Reuters ^ AFP: Kuwait to spend $51 bln on oil development ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ AFP: Kuwait plans 77 billion dollar 'City of Silk' ^ Floating exchange rate data taken from www.xe.com on December 22, 2007. ^ CIA - The World Factbook - Kuwait ^ Arab Times Online. Kuwait population hits 2.992 m; Citizens up in number, down in percentage. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. ^ Kuwait (06/07) ^ The Hindu: Business Line. Special flight from Kuwait lands in Kochi. Retrieved on 2007-10-07. ^ Kuwait Information Office, New