Kuwait Travel Guide

Oman retains its ancient atmosphere, coupled with luxurious hotels, striking beaches and fascinating markets. Be sure to wander the winding corridors of Mutrah Souq, the oldest market in Muscat, and marvel at the surprising tropical greenery of Salalah. Go dolphin-watching or sip Arabian coffee in an exotic majlis.

Oman may be the friendliest country in the Middle East, with dramatic landscapes dotted with oases, forts and palaces that inspire exploration.

There are a number of restaurants and cinemas in Kuwait as well as a wide variety of sporting activities ranging from water sports to horse racing, cricket and golf.

Full Name

State of Kuwait

Former Name

None

Capital City

Kuwait

Government Type

nominal constitutional monarchy

Area Size

The total area of the State of Kuwait is 17,818 sq km.

Time Zone

GMT +3 hours

Climate

Kuwait enjoys a variable continental climate. Summers (April to October) are extremely hot and dry with temperatures exceeding 51Â°C (124Â°F) in Kuwait City several times during the hottest months of June, July and August. April and October are more moderate with temperatures over 40Â°C uncommon . Winters (November through February) are cool with some precipitation and average temperatures around 13Â°C (56Â°F) with extremes from -2Â°C to 27Â°C. The spring season (March) is warm and pleasant with occasional thunderstorms. Surface coastal water temperatures range from 15Â°C (59Â°F) in February to 35Â°C (95Â°F) in August. The driest months are June through September, while the wettest are January through March. Thunderstorms and hailstorms are common in November, March and April when warm & moist Persian Gulf air collides with cold air masses from Europe. One such thunderstorm in November 1997 dumped over ten inches of rain on Kuwait

Geography

Most of the mainland is a flat sandy desert gradually sloping towards sea level in the east. It is broken by shallow depressions and low hills, which form a ridge at Jal Al-Zor (145 metres above sea level), cut by the Umm Al-Ramam Wadi. The area is locally known as Ghodai, meaning a hill. The southern part of Kuwait is generally flat, with the exception of Ahmadi hill which is 137 metres above sea level. The Kuwaiti mainland, with no mountains, rivers or other natural features, was for a long time a transit area for nomadic tribes and caravans. Such freedom of movement made delineation of borders rather difficult. On July 7, 1965, a neutral zone was created between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The northern part of the partitioned zone is administered by Kuwait, whilst the southern part is the administrative responsibility of Saudi Arabia. The crude oil extracted from the partitioned zone is equally shared by both countries.

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Culture

Arab culture and traditions, anchored by Islam, are the secure foundations upon which the modern State of Kuwait is built. The metamorphosis in lifestyle brought about by the discovery of oil did not efface the identity of the people of Kuwait. The ravages brought by the Iraqi aggression also did not stifle the spirit of the Kuwaitis as they rebuilt their country in record time. The State of Kuwait has always paid special attention to the preservation of its culture and heritage by maintaining monuments and preserving artefacts and historical documents. The National Museum is one of the 50 locations where these are housed. The destruction caused by the Iraqi troops created a heightened awareness among the people about the need to preserve and resurrect the art and craft of Kuwait. The new architecture of the city, which combines modern design with traditional art, reflects this awareness. Kuwait has a large variety of customs and traditions, and this gives rise to a colourful and extensive culture, reflected in the Diwaniya, the Bedouin traditions and Al Sadu weaving. The people of Kuwait also have special love for the arts, be it literature, theatre, music, dance, films or contemporary art. The National Council of Culture, Arts and Literature (NCCAL); The Free Art Studio and The Kuwaiti Society of Formative Artists are promoting the visual arts in Kuwait.

History

Kuwait is believed to have been part of an early civilization in the 3rd millennium B.C. and to have traded with Mesopotamian cities. Archeological and historical traces disappeared around the first millennium B.C. At the beginning of the 18th century A.D., the 'Anizah tribe of central Arabia founded Kuwait City, which became an autonomous sheikdom by 1756. 'Abd Rahim of the al-Sabah became the first sheik, and his descendants continue to rule Kuwait today. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the sheikdom belonged to the fringes of the Ottoman Empire. Kuwait obtained British protection in 1897 when the sheik feared that the Turks would expand their hold over the area. In 1961, Britain ended the protectorate, giving Kuwait independence, but agreed to give military aid on request. Iraq immediately threatened to occupy the area, and the British sent troops to defend Kuwait. Soon afterward the Arab League sent in troops, replacing the British. Iraq's claim was dropped when the Arab League recognized Kuwait's independence on July 20, 1961. Kuwait typically followed a neutral and mediatory policy among Arab states.

Travel Information

The main Airport,Kuwait Airport(KWI) lies 16km (10 miles) south of Kuwait City (travel time â€“ 20 minutes). The national airline, Kuwait Airways, operates daily non-stop flights to Kuwait from London.Departure Tax KWD2; transit passengers not leaving the airport transit area and children under 12 are exempt. Buses depart every 45 minutes from the airport, and taxis are available. Most of the luxury hotels arrange transfers to and from the airport. Kuwaits main port is in Kuwait City. More than 30 shipping lines call regularly at Kuwait City. Most traffic is commercial. All road links with Iraq, and therefore through to the Syrian Arab Republic and Jordan, are advised against due to political instability within Iraq. It is also wise to check with the Embassy before considering travelling to Lebanon.There are bus services between Kuwait City and Cairo (Egypt), via Aqaba in Jordan and Nuweiba in Egypt. Buses also operate to Damman in Saudi Arabia. The main land route into Saudi Arabia is Beirutâ€“Damascusâ€“Ammanâ€“ Kuwait, which follows the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (TAP line) through Saudi Arabia.

Accommodation

Hotels range from deluxe to first and second class. Many top hotels in Kuwait City feature sport complexes, restaurants and shopping malls. Serviced apartments, some with hotel-style room service, are also available. Prices are generally high. All rates are subject to a 15% service charge.

Visa Requirements

Citizen of other GCC states have a right to enter and live in Kuwait without undergoing any particular formalities. Kuwait will grant 34 nationalities entry visas upon arrival, according to a new decision from the Ministry of Interior (Feb. 2004). Among those that will benefit are nationals from the; USA, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea, China. Other countries can obtain visas through Kuwait Airways offices as the airline has an online facility to process the visa through the Ministry of Interior. But all other nationals are subject to strict rules of entry and registration as foreigners under the sponsorship of Kuwaitis or Kuwait companies or as dependents of foreigners under who already enjoy residence under Kuwait sponsorship. There are two basic types of visa, a visit visa and a residence visa. A foreigner whose country without a visa abolition treaty with Kuwait, ie a treaty permitting Kuwait to enter their country without a visa, may be granted reciprocal rights in the Kuwait. These persons however may require an entry permit. Fntry permits are acquired in the same way and under the same procedures as visit visa. International airline have been instructed by the Kuwaiti authorities not to board passengers for Kuwait unless they have valid visas or entry permits. Visit visas and entry permits are valid for entry within 90 days of issue and then for a stay of up to 30 days only after entry, A visit visas costs KD 3/- . Entry permits are free. A visit to Kuwait must be sponsored by a Kuwait individual or company, or a resident foreigner who is relative of the visitor while he or she is in Kuwait. To obtain a visit visa for a business, visitor, a Kuwait sponsor or company will require: Â· Visa application and security from completed by the sponsor Â· Copy of the visitor's passport Â· Copy of the sponsor's signature as registered for business purposes Â· Copy of the letter of invitation from the sponsor to the business visitor stations the purpose of the visit. To obtain a visit visa for a relative, a resident foreigner will require: Â· Visa application and security form completed by the sponsor Â· Copy of the visitor's passport Â· Original and copy of the sponsor's passport Â· Original and copy of the sponsor's civil ID Â· Original and copy of the sponsor's work permit (Private sector empolyees) Â· Recent salary certificate from the sponsor's employer Â· Authenticated proof of the family relationship Usually the sponsor of a relative is expected to be earning at least KD 450 per month if he works for the government and at least KD 650 if he work in the private sector. Normally a visitor goes to a Kuwait embassy to have his visa processed and passport stamped before travelling to Kuwait. However a Kuwait sponsor can use a faxed copy of the visitor's passport to obtain the visa in Kuwait. The sponsor then faxes a copy of the visa to the visitor (to enable him to travel to Kuwait) and meets him at the airport with the original visa. The sponsor deposits the visa papers at a special counter in the arrival hall and the visitor must pick these up at a similar counter inside the immigration area in order to complete entry formalities. Either way, obtaining a visit visa takes about two working days, Hotels can also arrange visit visas for business but they take about a week to do so, naturly enough, expect the visitor to stay with on arrival. A transit visa, valid for a maximum stay of 7 days, can be obtained from a Kuwait Consulteabroad or from a Port Authority in Kuwait.

Getting Around

Kuwait has a very cheap and extensive system of both local and intercity buses. You can also use local taxis to get around, though these have no meters, so get a firm price before starting out. If you are renting a car and you hold a driving licence and residence permit from another Gulf country, you can drive in Kuwait without any further paperwork. Otherwise you can drive on an International Driving Permit or a local licence from any western country, but you'll also be required to purchase insurance for your licence.

Health & Safety

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. There is a state medical service with local clinics and several good hospitals. There are also a number of doctors and dentists in private practice/hospitals. Fees are controlled by the State and are expensive. You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. The Kuwaiti authorities have confirmed that there have been outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the Wafra area and in Kuwait zoo.The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. Incidents of violent crime against foreigners are rare. Some 4,000 British nationals live in Kuwait, and we estimate over 30,000 visit each year. Most visits to Kuwait are trouble-free. However, you should exercise caution if you intend to travel through or to conservative areas such as Block 7 of Fahaheel, and Jahra where there have been a significant number of incidents involving firearms. During 2006 there were reports of threats and stone throwing by youths in desert areas near Mangaf, Egaila and Fahaheel.