Compare Baker Island (2004) - Kuwait (2002)

Baker Island (2004)

Kuwait (2002)

Administrative divisions

-

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Age structure

-

0-14 years: 28.3% (male 304,200; female 292,900)

15-64 years: 69.2% (male 934,115; female 527,331)

65 years and over: 2.5% (male 34,106; female 18,909) (2002 est.)

Agriculture - products

-

practically no crops; fish

Airports

1 abandoned World War II runway of 1,665 m, completely covered with vegetation and unusable (2003 est.)

7 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways

-

total: 3

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways

-

total: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 2 (2002)

Area

total: 1.4 sq km

land: 1.4 sq km

water: 0 sq km

total: 17,820 sq km

land: 17,820 sq km

water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

about 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

slightly smaller than New Jersey

Background

The US took possession of the island in 1857, and its guano deposits were mined by US and British companies during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization was begun on this island - as well as on nearby Howland Island - but was disrupted by World War II and thereafter abandoned. Presently the island is a National Wildlife Refuge run by the US Department of the Interior; a day beacon is situated near the middle of the west coast.

Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. 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. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Birth rate

-

21.84 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Budget

-

revenues: $11.5 billion

expenditures: $17.2 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY01/02 )

Capital

-

Kuwait

Climate

equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Coastline

4.8 km

499 km

Constitution

-

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Baker Island

conventional long form: State of Kuwait

conventional short form: Kuwait

local long form: Dawlat al Kuwayt

local short form: Al Kuwayt

Currency

-

Kuwaiti dinar (KD)

Death rate

-

2.46 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Debt - external

-

$6.9 billion (2000 est.)

Dependency status

unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge system

-

Diplomatic representation from the US

-

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard H. JONES

embassy: Bayan, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City

mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat, 13001 Safat, Kuwait Unit 69000, APO AE 09880-9000

telephone: [965] 539-5307, ext. 2240

FAX: [965] 538-0282

Diplomatic representation in the US

-

chief of mission: Ambassador Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al Jaber AL SABAH

chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702

FAX: [1] (202) 966-0517

Disputes - international

none

in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands, although the Iraqi Government continues periodic rhetorical challenges

Economic aid - recipient

-

NA

Economy - overview

no economic activity

Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with proved crude oil reserves of 94 billion barrels - 10% of world reserves. Petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 90% of export revenues, and 75% of government income. 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. Higher oil prices put the FY99/00 budget into a $2 billion surplus. The FY00/01 budget covers only nine months because of a change in the fiscal year. The budget for FY01/02 envisioned higher expenditures for salaries, construction, and other general categories. Kuwait continues its discussions with foreign oil companies to develop fields in the northern part of the country.

Electricity - consumption

-

29.016 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - exports

-

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - imports

-

0 kWh (2000)

Electricity - production

-

31.2 billion kWh (2000)

Electricity - production by source

-

fossil fuel: 100%

hydro: 0%

nuclear: 0%

other: 0% (2000)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 8 m

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m

highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Environment - current issues

no natural fresh water resources

limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification

Environment - international agreements

-

party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Ethnic groups

-

Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Exchange rates

-

Kuwaiti dinars per US dollar - 0.3075 (January 2002), 0.3066, (2001), 0.3067 (2000), 0.3044 (1999), 0.3047 (1998), 0.3033 (1997)

Executive branch

-

chief of state: Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 31 December 1977)

head of government: Prime Minister and Crown Prince SAAD al-Abdallah al-Salim Al Sabah (since 8 February 1978); First Deputy Prime Minister SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah (since 17 October 1992); Deputy Prime Ministers JABIR MUBARAK al-Hamud Al Sabah (since NA) and MUHAMMAD KHALID al-Hamed Al Sabah (since NA)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the monarch

elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the monarch

Exports

-

$16.2 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Exports - commodities

-

oil and refined products, fertilizers

Exports - partners

-

Japan 23%, US 14%, South Korea 13%, Singapore 7%, Netherlands 6%, Pakistan 6%, Indonesia 4%, UK 2% (2000)

Fiscal year

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1 April - 31 March

Flag description

the flag of the US is used

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

GDP

-

purchasing power parity - $30.9 billion (2001 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

-

industry: 60%

services: 40%

agriculture: 0% (2000)

GDP - per capita

-

purchasing power parity - $15,100 (2001 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

-

4% (2001 est.)

Geographic coordinates

0 13 N, 176 31 W

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Geography - note

treeless, sparse, and scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Heliports

-

3 (2002)

Highways

-

total: 4,450 km

paved: 3,590 km

unpaved: 860 km (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

-

lowest 10%: NA%

highest 10%: NA%

Imports

-

$7.4 billion f.o.b. (2001 est.)

Imports - commodities

-

food, construction materials, vehicles and parts, clothing

Imports - partners

-

US 12%, Japan 8%, UK 8%, Germany 7%, China 5%, France 4%, Australia 3%, Netherlands 2% (2000)

Independence

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19 June 1961 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

-

1% (1997 est.)

Industries

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petroleum, petrochemicals, desalination, food processing, construction materials

Infant mortality rate

-

10.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

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2.7% (2001)

International organization participation

-

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

-

3 (2000)

Irrigated land

0 sq km (1998 est.)

60 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

-

High Court of Appeal

Labor force

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1.3 million

note: 68% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.) (1998 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

-

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Land boundaries

0 km

total: 462 km

border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Land use

arable land: 0%

permanent crops: 0%

other: 100% (2001)

arable land: 0.34%

permanent crops: 0.06%

other: 99.6% (1998 est.)

Languages

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Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Legal system

the laws of the US, where applicable, apply

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

-

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)

elections: last held 3 July 1999 (next to be held NA 2003)

election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 50; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly

Life expectancy at birth

-

total population: 76.46 years

male: 75.56 years

female: 77.39 years (2002 est.)

Literacy

-

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.6%

male: 82.2%

female: 74.9% (1995 est.)

Location

Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Oceania

Middle East

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

territorial sea: 12 NM

Merchant marine

-

total: 38 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 2,274,515 GRT/3,627,835 DWT

ships by type: bulk 1, cargo 1, container 6, liquefied gas 6, livestock carrier 5, petroleum tanker 19

note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Monaco 1, Saudi Arabia 1 (2002 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

-

Military branches

-

Army, Navy, Air Force (including Air Defense Force), National Police Force, National Guard, Coast Guard

Military expenditures - dollar figure

-

$1,967.3 million (FY01)

note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year; the above figure is for July-March 2001; future budget years will be April-March annually

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

-

5.5% (FY01)

Military manpower - availability

-

males age 15-49: 812,059 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

-

males age 15-49: 486,906 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age

-

18 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

-

males: 18,309 (2002 est.)

National holiday

-

National Day, 25 February (1950)

Nationality

-

noun: Kuwaiti(s)

adjective: Kuwaiti

Natural hazards

the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring heavy rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August

Natural resources

guano (deposits worked until 1891), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Net migration rate

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13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Pipelines

-

crude oil 877 km; petroleum products 40 km; natural gas 165 km

Political parties and leaders

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none; formation of political parties is illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders

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several political groups act as de facto parties: Bedouins, merchants, Sunni and Shi'a activists, and secular leftists and nationalists

Population

uninhabited

note: American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II; occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war; public entry is by special-use permit from US Fish and Wildlife Service only and generally restricted to scientists and educators; a cemetery and remnants of structures from early settlement are located near the middle of the west coast; visited annually by US Fish and Wildlife Service (2004 est.)

2,111,561

note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)

Population below poverty line

-

NA%

Population growth rate

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3.33%

note: this rate reflects a return to pre-Gulf crisis immigration of expatriates (2002 est.)

Ports and harbors

none; offshore anchorage only; note - there is one small boat landing area along the middle of the west coast

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

Radio broadcast stations

-

AM 6, FM 11, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

-

1.175 million (1997)

Railways

-

0 km

Religions

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Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Sex ratio

-

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.77 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.8 male(s)/female

total population: 1.52 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Suffrage

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adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21

note: only 10% of all citizens are eligible to vote; in 1996, naturalized citizens who do not meet the pre-1920 qualification but have been naturalized for 30 years were eligible to vote for the first time

Telephone system

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general assessment: the quality of service is excellent

domestic: new telephone exchanges provide a large capacity for new subscribers; trunk traffic is carried by microwave radio relay, coaxial cable, open wire, and fiber-optic cable; a cellular telephone system operates throughout Kuwait, and the country is well supplied with pay telephones

international: coaxial cable and microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia; linked to Bahrain, Qatar, UAE via the Fiber-Optic Gulf (FOG) cable; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean, 2 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 2 Arabsat

Telephones - main lines in use

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412,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

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210,000 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

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13 (plus several satellite channels) (1997)

Terrain

low, nearly level coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef

flat to slightly undulating desert plain