Moving to Kuwait

Kuwait is a jewel in the Arab continent. A sovereign Arab emirate located in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East, Kuwait lies on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf.

The name Kuwait is derived from akwat, an Arabic word which means a fortress near water. The emirate has a population of about 2.8 million and covers approximately 20,000 square kilometers.

The government of Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy that follows a parliamentary model, with Kuwait City serving as the country's political and economic capital.

The country has the world's fifth largest oil reserves, and is the eleventh richest country in the world per capita. Petroleum and petroleum products now account for nearly 95% of export revenues, and 80% of government income. Kuwait is esteemed as one of the best economically performing countries in the Arab continent and is a major ally outside NATO.

Kuwaitis are naturally hospitable people. Guests in their homes are treated with great warmth and respect. Hosts exhibit polished manners and expect the same in return from their guests.

A traditional greeting is made through the shaking of hands and kissing of cheeks. Men and women, however, may only shake hands as a sign of respect if they are related. It is also customary for people greeting each other to ask a long series of questions concerning one's health, that of their relatives, their jobs, and other ways of initiating a sense of intimacy. Elders are usually greeted before everyone else as a sign of reverence.

It is surprising, however, that less than 50% of residents are native Kuwaitis. The majority comprises foreign workers and expatriates. However, Kuwait's heritage is evident in the continuing existence of the Bidun tribes, composed of nomads.

Muslims dominate the religious landscape of Kuwait, but the government imposes no restrictions in the practice of other faiths such as Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Arabic remains the national language of Kuwait, although a mix of various languages has become a way of life due to the increasing number of expatriates in the country. English, of course, is very important to the Kuwaitis and is included in the educational system.

As fun-loving people, the people of Kuwait celebrate different types of festivals which are an integral part of their culture. They celebrate colorful festivals of music, art, and literature which all play a big part in day-to-day life.

Different Arabic customs and practices are also observed. The present population consists of more expatriates than locals, but many foreigners have become a part of the population and significantly influence the local lifestyle, making Kuwait pleasantly diverse and colorful in nature.