From Wikitravel Shared

Kuwait is a country in the Middle East. It is located at the head of the Persian Gulf, with Iraq to the north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the southwest.

[edit] Regions

• Al Ahmadi
• Al Farwaniyah
• Al 'Asimah
• Al Jahra'
• Hawalli

[edit] Cities

• Kuwait - the capital

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Kuwait City is a bustling metropolis of high-rise office buildings, luxury hotels, wide boulevards and well-tended parks and gardens. Its seaport is used by oil tankers, cargo ships and many pleasure craft.

Its most dominant landmark is Kuwait Towers, and its oldest is Seif Palace, built in 1896, the interior of which features original Islamic mosaic tilework, though these suffered badly during the Iraqi occupation. The Kuwait National Museum was also stripped of many artefacts – part of it has been renovated and is now open to the public.

The Sadu House, near the museum, is made of coral and gypsum and is used as a cultural museum to protect the arts and crafts of Bedouin society. It is an ideal place to purchase Bedouin goods. The huge Grand Mosque in the centre is also worth visiting.

Liberation Tower, the symbol of Kuwaiti liberation, is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. Visitors can travel 150m (492ft) up to the revolving obervation tower and restaurant.

• A port with many old dhows, Failakai Island can be reached by regular ferry services. There are also some Bronze Age and Greek archaeological sites well worth viewing, including the island's Greek temple. Traditional-style boums and sambuks (boats) are still built in Al Jahrah, although, nowadays, vessels are destined to work as pleasure boats rather than pearl fishing or trading vessels. Mina Al Ahmadi, lying 19km (12 miles) south of Kuwait City, is an oil port with immense jetties for supertanker traffic. The Oil Display Centre pays homage to the work of the Kuwait Oil Company.

• The scientific center offers many types of sea species to view

• Many of Kuwait's sea clubs ofer a wide variety of facilities and activities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beaches, tennis courts, gymnasiums, bowling and even karate.

• Sailing and scuba diving are available. Powerboating is a Kuwaiti passion. Horse riding clubs flourish in the winter.

Tourist Information Touristic Enterprises Company of Kuwait PO Box 23310, Safat 13094, Kuwait City, Kuwait Tel: 565 3771 or 2775. Website: www.kuwaittourism.com

[edit] History

The Kuwaitis trace their roots to the Al-Anisa and the Al-Utub tribe from the Najd province, in modern Saudi Arabia. They moved to Qatar and then to Al-Qurain (derived from Koot, the Arabic word for fortress), which is in modern day Kuwait bay around 1710. By 1752, the long term residents of Al-Qurain decided that the instability of the region, caused by warring tribes, called for the establishment of a stable government. The Al-Sabah tribe was chosen to rule, and the first Sheikh was Sabah ibn Jaber, who ruled as Sabah I, from 1752 to 1756. The Sabah's were skillful diplomats, and weathered out religious and tribal strifes successfully. They dealt with the Ottomans, the Egyptians and the Europeans. Mubarak I signed an agreement with the British making Kuwait a British Protectorate in 1899. The British were in Kuwait for quite a while by then, and as early as the 1770's Abdullah I had a contract with the British to deliver mail for them up to Allepo in Syria. The agreement gave the British control of the Kuwaiti foreign policy in exchange for military protection. In the 20's and the 30's, the chief source of revenue was pearls. But around that time the Japanese started flooding the international market with cultured pearls and this source of income was in decline. In 1938, oil was first struck at the Burgan oil field in Kuwait, and by 1946, they started exporting it. In 1961, Kuwait nullified the treaty of 1899, and became an independent nation. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days; Febuary 26 is celebrated as Liberation Day. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. It is currently ruled by Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad AL Jaber Al Sabah after the demise of Sheikh Jaber al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah in January 2006.

[edit] Climate

Dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters. Natural hazards : sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring heavy rain which can, in some rare cases, damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August.

[edit] Terrain

Flat to slightly undulating desert plain. Highest point: 306 meters.

[edit] Get in

Most western citizens can get a visa at Kuwait airport, but it would be advised that you contact the Kuwait Embassy in your home country to find out more information.

Please note, Israeli citizens are banned by the Kuwait government from entering the country.

[edit] By plane

Kuwait International Airport is well connected to almost all the important world airports. All the major airlines have stops here, barring El Al.

[edit] By train

Kuwait has no railway system.

[edit] By car

Kuwait shares its borders with only 2 nations - Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The political situation in Iraq is volatile currently, so it's advisable not to use that route.

[edit] By bus

Kuwait Transport Company operates a nationwide service which is both reliable and inexpensive and there is the city bus which is a private company and offers better buses.

[edit] By boat

Consulting a travel agent is recommended if you want to go by boat to or from Kuwait. Scheduled ferries to and from Iran are handled by Kuwait-Iran Shipping Company, phone +965 2410498, fax +965 2429508. The ferries go three times a week from Ash Shuwayk in Kuwait to Bushehr in Iran. One-way tickets from KD37.

Speedboats also go between Ash Shuwayk and Manama in Bahrain. A ticket is KD45.

Ports and harbors:

• Ash Shu'aybah
• Ash Shuwaykh
• Kuwait City
• Mina' 'Abd Allah
• Mina' al Ahmadi
• Mina' Su'ud

[edit] Get around

Kuwait has a good road system. All signs are in English and Arabic.

Taxi: These are recognisable by red licence plates and may be hired by the day, in which case fares should be agreed beforehand. Share-taxis are also available. Hailing taxis from the road is not advisable, particularly for females. It is recommended that taxis are booked in advance by telephone from a reputable taxi company. A standard rate is applicable in most taxis, but those at hotel ranks are more expensive. Tipping is not expected.

Car hire: Self-drive is available. If you produce an International Driving Permit, the rental company will, within five days, grant a temporary local licence valid for one month. However, it should be noted that driving in Kuwait, especially when new to driving in the country, can be extremely chaotic and frightening.

[edit] Talk

Arabic (official), English widely spoken.

[edit] Buy

The national currency is the Kuwaiti dinar. There are 3.45781 US dollars in 1 dinar (08 October 2006). Notes are in denominations of KWD20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 and 250 fils. Coins are in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 fils.

Credit / Debit Cards and ATMs/American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Travellers Cheque Advice Widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Kuwait is a tax free country. Custom-made items, imported items, and shipping out of the country can be expensive, so shop wisely.

• Western style shopping centres: Souk Sharq (Kuwait City) and Marina Mall (Salmia) are both on the coastal Gulf Road and offer excellent shopping. Another shopping centre is "Al-Kout" (Fahaheel) it has several beautiful coffee shops and many other outlets. "Araya Mall" (Sharg) and Al-Salhiya Mall (Sharg) offers high-price designer brands.

• Traditional markets: A famous destination is the Souk Al Mubarakiya in the heart of downtown. Middle Eastern and Oriental items abound as well as a gold and jewellery market. Souk Al-Juma'a is a Friday market with very low-priced mass-produced goods. The Mahameed markets in Behbahani complex have similar selection and pricing as well.

• A more Oriental atmosphere can be found on the other side of town also in a western-style mall called Souk Al-Watiya or Al-Watiya Complex, located beside the Sheraton Hotel and 4 Point Sheraton. This place is also called the Adidas Building by local Filipinos. Situated close to churches the whole area can look like a mini India Town and Filipino Town during Friday and Sunday. Many restaurants also serving either fast food or oriental traditional foods. This is also a good place to buy any gold or jewelry.

[edit] Eat

Italian: Nino's is located on the gulf road and ricardo which is in the sheraton are considered the 2 best italina restaurants in kuwait and there is a coffe shop that serves amazing italian food which is called Lorenzon and its located next to the church in sharg. Pomodoro which is in Sharg also serves good italian food.

Indian: Mugal Mahal(sharg), Bukhara (sheraton hotel), Silk and Spice (Al Kout Mall,Fahaheel), Asha's (Marina crescent)

Lebanese: Villa Fayrouz (Sha'ab), Mejana (Al Kout Mall, Fahahel), Mais Al-Ghanim (Gulf Road), Tarboosh(Sheraton Hotel.

Persian: Shahrayar (Sheraton Hotel), Shabestan (Crowne Plaza Hotel), Baba Taher ( Sharq)

Kuwaiti: AL-Marsa which is located in the Ritz Hotel on the gulf road, highly recommended if you want to try local cuisine.

American: Johnny Rockets( Marina Mall, Kout Mall), Chilis and Fridays both located on the gulf road

Japanese: Kie ( Marriot Hotel or Marina Mall), Maki ( Marina Waves, Edo (Shaeb) Sakura (Crown plaze hotel or Layla Gallery) all four are highly recommended.

Chinese: Greens ( Gulf road), Golden chopsticks (Sha'ab), Peacok(Radisson Sas Hotel).

Burgers: Burger boutique (Araya mall), Burger hub(gulf road infront of the Al Seif palace), burger gourmet (marina mall). Burger Co. (Hawali infron of muhalab Mall)

[edit] Drink

• Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait. Drinking fountains can be found in many street corners throughout Kuwait, which provide free, fresh water.

[edit] Sleep

Western chains are prevalent in Kuwait, with JW Marriott and Sheraton as the largest five star hotels in the downtown business district. Additional resort hotels are located on the coast.

A Four Seasons hotel is currently being constructed in Kuwait.

[edit] Work

IO Centers (formerly Gulf Business Centre) is the only premium serviced office provider in the country. They offer flexible terms and all business related services and are located in two locatoins: on the 28th and 29th floors of the Arraya Center in the same tower as the Marriott Courtyard hotel and in the new Dar Alawadi Center. http://www.iocenters.com/

[edit] Stay safe

Kuwait is a very safe place and one would have to try very hard to get hurt. It is generally recommended to respect the dominant religion (Islam) and local customs; women should wear decent modest clothing at all times to avoid suspicious looks and lewd comments. Many Kuwaiti drivers are extremely reckless.

[edit] Stay healthy

Public health is entirely supported by the government at local clinics and hospitals, with a 5KD fee paid by foreigners visiting Kuwait and 3KD for locals. Private non-governmental clinics are available as well, but charge much more at 30KD.

[edit] Contact

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