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Kuwait
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The state on the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf also occupies the islands of Bubiyan, Failaka, Varba, and others.
Territory - 20.2 thousand sq. km, including the territory of the former neutral zone, divided approximately in half between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Population - 1.3 million (1980); 90% are Arabs, of which only 41% are natives of Kuwait; approximately 250,000 Palestinians.
Immigrants from Iran, Pakistan and East African countries also live.
The capital is Kuwait (over 1 million inhabitants).
The official language is Arabic.
State religion - Islam (Sunnis - about 70%, Shiites - 30%).
The emirate (principality) of Kuwait was founded in the 18th century. the ruling and still dynasty of the Sabahs. Due to the favorable strategic position and the estimated oil reserves of Kuwait at the end of the 19th century. becomes the object of an acute struggle of the imperialist powers. In 1899 England succeeded in imposing a treaty on Kuwait, giving it unlimited control over this country. In November 1914, Kuwait was declared an "independent principality under British protectorate." The rise of the national liberation movement of the Arab peoples forced England to cancel the protectorate treaty. 19.VI 1961 Kuwait became an independent state.
In its foreign policy, Kuwait adheres to the principles of neutrality, stands for the development of friendly relations with all states, for the unity of the Arabs in the struggle for elimination. the consequences of the Israeli aggression in 1967 Kuwait condemned the separate "peace" treaty between Egypt and Israel, supported political and economic sanctions against the Sadat regime, and severed diplomatic relations with Egypt. The Government of Kuwait provides significant financial assistance to Arab countries for the development of the economy, especially health and education, as well as a number of other developing countries (in 1979 (the total amount of aid was about $ 800 million).
Kuwait is a member of the League of Arab States.
In accordance with the 1962 constitution, Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, a "hereditary emirate." The head of state is the emir, elected from the members of the ruling family of the Sabahs (since January 1978 - Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah), who is both the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the supreme judge. Legislative power belongs to the emir. Executive power, together with the emir, is exercised by the government, the majority of whose members are representatives of the ruling dynasty of the Sabahs.
The activities of political parties are prohibited. The most massive public organizations are the Federation of Trade Unions of Kuwait and the Union of Students.
The country's main wealth is oil (it accounts for 90% of the national income, in FY 1978/79 - about $ 16 billion). In terms of oil production (130 million tons in 1979) Kuwait occupies one of the leading places in the capitalist world. Until recently, the production, transportation and sale of oil were concentrated in the hands of two foreign companies - the American Gulf Oil Corporation and the British British Petroleum, united in the Kuwait Oil Company. The Kuwaiti government was actively attacking the positions of this company and in December 1975 it completely nationalized it.
Since 1960, the Kuwait National Oil Company has been operating, which owns an oil refinery with a capacity of 4.5 million g of petroleum products per year. In order to preserve oil reserves in the country, it was decided not to increase oil production, but to keep it at the level of 100 million tons per year (excluding oil production in the former neutral zone). The Kuwaiti government is promoting the development of the country's petrochemical, construction, manufacturing and fishing industries, as well as infrastructure. It continues to fight for the complete elimination of the country's dependence on international oil monopolies in the sale of crude oil.
This is evidenced by the course taken by Kuwait: not to renew the contracts expiring in March 1980 on the sale of oil with the Gulf Oil Corporation and British Petroleum, but to conclude long-term agreements directly with the governments of individual countries.
Agriculture is poorly developed. There are several dozen farms that breed small ruminants and poultry.
Transportation is carried out by road transport and sea vessels (dry cargo and tankers). Own tanker fleet is being created. There are no railways.
The monetary unit is the Kuwaiti dinar. 1 kv. din. = 2.33 rubles. (February 1980).
Kuwait imports food and manufactured goods, prom. equipment, all types of vehicles (over 10 thousand per year).
Exports oil and oil products, chemical fertilizers.
Major trading partners: USA, England, Japan, Germany and Italy.
With large financial resources, the government pays attention to the development of education in the country (in Kuwait, compulsory 8-year education has been introduced) and the creation of modern medical institutions.
In the country, there are demonstrations of citizens of non-Kuwaiti origin who are fighting against discrimination (in wages, in the provision of well-paid positions, etc.) in relation to emigrants.
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