Official name

Kuwait (Dawlat al-Kuwayt)

Administrative divisions

5 governances

Capital

Kuwait (Al-Kuwayt), 1.090.000 people (1996)

Other cities

Al-Jahra (139.476 people), as-Salimiyah (116.104 people), Hawalli (84.478 people), al-Farwaniyah (47.106 people).

Population

2.093.889 (December 1996)

Kuwaitis: 732.403

Non-Kuwaitis 1.361.486

Languages

Arabic is the official language; English is widely used in business

Currency

Kuwaiti dinar (KD)
KD 1 = US $ 3.2445
The currency is accepted worldwide and complies with the International Monetary Fund exchange regulations.

Religion

Islam is the official religion; Muslims %85, others %15 (mostly Christians and Hindu).

Electricity

240 volts, 50 cycles AC

Business hours:

Shops: 8.30am-12.30pm and 4.30-9.00pm
Banks: 8.30am-12.30pm, Sunday to Thursday
All banks have 24-hour Automated Teller Machine (ATM) facilities.
Working week: Saturday to Thursday
Private firms usually work half a day on Thursday.
Government offices (including educational establishments) are generally closed on Thursday and Friday.

Public holidays

1^st January: New Year's Day

25^th February: National Day

25^th February: Liberation Day

*Other public holidays occurring at variable dates every year according the Gregorian calendar include:

Mount Arafat Day, Eid Al-Adha (three days holiday).

Islamic New Year's Day.

Birth Day of Prophet Mohamed.

Al-Esra wa Al-Mi'raj (Prophet Mohamed's ascension to Heaven).

Eid El-Fitr (three days holiday).

International dialing code

+965

Time zone

GMT + 3 hours