Kuwait
Question # 1 Who live in Kuwait?
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-SabÄ h 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
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.
City Al Aḩmadī Sabah as Salim Kuwait City
People 650,000 140,000 60,000
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html http://www.geonames.org/KW/largest-cities-in-kuwait.html
Kuwait is 2-3 times smaller than Denmark or Switzerland. Most people in Kuwait live along the 500 kilometre long coast line.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ku.html
Question # 2 How is the political structure in Kuwait?
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
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
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
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
Question # 3 What is innovative about learning and play in Kuwait?
About 8 out of 10 people in Kuwait use the Internet.
https://internetworldstats.com/middle.htm#kw
Students in all Kuwaiti schools learn English from the 2nd grade.
https://www.expatwoman.com/kuwait/education/overview-of-education-system-in-kuwait
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
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
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
Question # 4 What is unique about food and food development in Kuwait?
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/
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/
There is a relatively strong potential to help develop healthy living in Kuwait.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/the-most-obese-fattest-countries-in-the-world/
Question # 5 What other kinds of innovation is going on in Kuwait?
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/
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
There are no railways in Kuwait.
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/2/
Kuwait was the first country to introduce camel racing with robot jockeys. That was in 2006.
http://thefactfile.org/kuwait-facts/
There is an impressive dancing musical fountain in Kuwait City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwCLne-9LEs