Kuwait City
2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Geography of the Middle East
Kuwait City (Arabic: مدينة الكويت, transliteration: Madīnat al-Kūwait), is the capital city of Kuwait. It has an estimated population of 32,500 (2005 estimate) within city limits and 2.38 million in the metropolitan area. Located at the heart of the country on the shore of the Persian Gulf, and containing Kuwait's parliament ( Majlis Al-Umma), most governmental offices, the headquarters of most Kuwaiti corporations and banks, it is the indisputable political, cultural and economical centre of the emirate.
Kuwait City's trade and transportation needs are served by Kuwait International Airport, Mina Al-Shuwaik (Shuwaik Port) and Mina al-Ahmadi (Ahmadi Port) 50 kilometers to the south, on the Persian Gulf coast.
Kuwait City is located at 29°22'11" North, 47°58'42" East (29.369722, 47.978333) .
History
The city was invaded and seized by Iraqi forces in the 1990 Gulf War. Under Iraqi occupation it was renamed "Al Kadhima" (apparently an older name for the town1) in order to erase Kuwaiti identity. It returned to its original name once Iraqi troops were expelled.
During the invasion, the city was extensively bombed and damaged. Buildings were fired upon, set alight, and demolished; roads and bridges links were the targets of explosives, and landmarks were defaced. The Kuwait National Museum, for example, which once held an extensive, comprehensive, and beautiful collection of artwork, was looted and then torched. The Kuwait Towers, the symbols of the country, were the targets of Saddam Hussein, who aimed to demolish them. Only minor damage was done to the Towers, and they are still the nation's symbol.
After the invasion, foreign investors and the Kuwaiti government were actively involved in modernizing the city and transforming it into a world-class, state-of-the-art business hub. Today, virtually all traces of the invasion have been cleared, and construction cranes dot the skyline. Many new hotels, including an exclusive Four Seasons and InterContinental, are now under construction, indicating the recent economic growth spur. The city contains many new buildings and shopping malls with modern designs. Some tourists are already present in the city, most of them looking for a relaxing beach getaway.
Suburbs
Although the districts below are not usually recognized as suburbs, the following is a list of a few areas surrounding Kuwait city:
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Economy
Kuwait's booming economy has allowed many international hotel chains to enter agreements to open hotels in the country. According to the Kuwait Hotel Owners Association, over twenty-five new hotels are planned or in construction, including the following:
- Le Meridien Mubarakiya - opening mid 2006
- Al Manshar Rotana Hotel & Suites - opening late 2006
- InterContinental Kuwait - opening mid 2007
- Hotel Missoni Kuwait - opening fall 2007 (the world's first Hotel Missoni)
- The Regent Messilah Beach Resort & Spa - opening late 2007
- The Monarch Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre - opening February 2008
- Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait City - opening late 2008
- The Square Capital Tower - opening 2009