The Al-Sabah family were among the first settlers in Kuwait in the 18th century. Now, about 70% of Kuwait's population comes from other countries, with the population growing at 4% annually. Kuwait has an emirate political system where the emir is the hereditary head of state from the Al-Sabah family. The emir appoints ministers and can dissolve parliament. Kuwait is working to increase use of renewable energy and reduce its environmental challenges through green growth initiatives.

1. Kuwait

2. Question # 1
Who live in Kuwait?

3. Until the 18th century, people did not settle in Kuwait. People would
come - and then go again. There was a nomadic culture.
During the 18th century, people, who suffered from the drought of the
Arabian desert, settled on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. They built forts
to protect themselves from other people, who passed by. Thereby,
Kuwait, which means fort, got its name.
The Al-Sabāh family, the ruling family in Kuwait, were among the first
settlers in Kuwait in the early 18th century.
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/
http://www.ten-traveltips.com/2012/07/7-wonders-of-kuwait.html

4. http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/kuwait-population/
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/2/
The population of Kuwait is growing at
4% per year. About 70% of the people,
who live in Kuwait, come from other
countries.

5. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html
http://www.geonames.org/KW/largest-cities-in-kuwait.html
City People
Al Aḩmadī 650,000
Sabah as Salim 140,000
Kuwait City 60,000

6. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html
Kuwait is 2-3 times smaller than Denmark or Switzerland.
Most people in Kuwait live along the 500 kilometre long
coast line.

7. Question # 2
How is the political structure
in Kuwait?

8. The emir is the head of state in Kuwait. The emir is a
hereditary position and is chosen from the Al-Sabāh family.
The emir
 selects the prime minister.
 approves cabinet members who are selected by the prime minister.
 can pass laws when parliament is not in session.
 can veto legislation.
 can dismiss government ministers and dissolve parliament.
http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=583430242&Country=Kuwait&topic=Summary&subtopic=Political+structure
https://www.hziegler.com/articles/political-system-of-kuwait.html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-election-system/factbox-kuwaits-political-system-and-voting-rules-idUSBRE96O0FN20130725

9. Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah has been the emir of
Kuwait since 2006. He served as foreign minister over a 40-year
period and served as prime minister from 2003 to 2006.
His government appointed Kuwait's first woman minister and
introduced laws which opened the door to foreign investors.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14644252

10. The parliament of Kuwait consists of 65 members.
 50 members, i.e. 10 from each of Kuwait’s 5 constituencies.
Each member is elected by popular vote and serves 4 years.
 15 parliament members are ministers, who are selected by
the prime minister and approved by the emir.
http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=583430242&Country=Kuwait&topic=Summary&subtopic=Political+structure
https://www.hziegler.com/articles/political-system-of-kuwait.html

11. Political parties are not allowed in Kuwait. Many members of
parliament are primarily loyal to tribal interests.
Parliament candidates campaign individually and
form loose alliances based on policy, family and religious ties.
http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=583430242&Country=Kuwait&topic=Summary&subtopic=Political+structure
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kuwait-election-system/factbox-kuwaits-political-system-and-voting-rules-idUSBRE96O0FN20130725

12. Question # 3
What is innovative about
learning and play in Kuwait?

13. https://internetworldstats.com/middle.htm#kw
About 8 out of 10 people in Kuwait use the Internet.

14. Students in all Kuwaiti schools learn
English from the 2nd grade.
https://www.expatwoman.com/kuwait/education/overview-of-education-system-in-kuwait

15. The scientific centre of Kuwait, http://www.tsck.org.kw/,
is located in Salmiya just East of Kuwait city.
A learning tip from this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfeibqcfQsM

16. http://kuwait.colormemine.com/ is a ceramic design and
painting cafe which appeals to children and adults alike. It
is located in Marina Crescent in Salmiya in the Eastern part of
Kuwait city.
https://www.expatwoman.com/kuwait/things-to-do/childrens-activities-in-kuwait

17. At the green island, there is a kid’s castle with waterfalls and swings.
http://www.the-wau.com/post/kuwait/top-10-most-beautiful-destinations-in-kuwait/187

18. Question # 4
What is unique about food and
food development in Kuwait?

19. Kuwaiti cuisine is an infusion of Arabian, Persian, Indian,
and Mediterranean cuisines. A prominent dish in Kuwaiti
cuisine is machboos, a rice-based specialty usually prepared
with basmati rice, spices, chicken or mutton.
http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-kuwait/

20. There is a strong potential to grow food in Kuwait.
Only 1% of the total available land area is used for growing
crops such as cereals, fruits or vegetables.
A big problem for Kuwait is the lack of freshwater. There
are neither lakes nor rivers in Kuwait. Drinking water
comes from wells and from desalination of sea water.
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/2/

21. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/the-most-obese-fattest-countries-in-the-world/
There is a relatively strong potential to help develop
healthy living in Kuwait.

22. Question # 5
What other kinds of innovation
is going on in Kuwait?

23. Kuwait has plans to produce 15% of power from
renewable energy by 2030.
An example: The Dibdibah solar-power plant in the
Northwestern part of Kuwait.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-14/kuwait-plans-tender-for-1-2-billion-solar-project-in-2018
https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/analysis/catch-sun-solar-power-making-significant-progress-cutting-costs-and-reducing-emissions
http://news.kuwaittimes.net/website/renewable-energy-oil-alternative-economic-project/

24. There is a strong potential for green growth initiatives
in Kuwait. Kuwait faces considerable environmental
challenges due to air pollution, increasingly scarce water
resources and deteriorating arable land.
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/20564

25. http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/2/
There are no railways in Kuwait.

26. Kuwait was the first country to introduce camel
racing with robot jockeys. That was in 2006.
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/

27. There is an impressive dancing musical fountain in Kuwait City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwCLne-9LEs