Arabic (official), English widely understood among upper and middle classes
Government type:
constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Amman
Administrative divisions:
12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, 'Amman, At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba
National holiday:
Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
ـ[بَحْرُ الرَّمَل]ــــــــ[02 - 11 - 2010, 01:47 م]ـ
KUWAIT
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Background
Faylakah Island, in Kuwait Bay, had a civilization
dating back to the 3rd millennium BC that flourished until 1200 BC. Greek colonists resettled the island in
the 4th century BC. Abd Rahim of the Sabah dynasty
became sheikh in 1756, the first of a family that
continues to rule Kuwait. In 1899, to thwart German
and Ottoman influences, Kuwait gave Britain control
of its foreign affairs. Following the outbreak of war
in 1914, Britain established a protectorate there. In
1961, after Kuwait became independent, Iraq laid
claim to it. British troops defended Kuwait, the Arab
League recognized its independence, and Iraq
dropped its claim. Iraqi forces invaded and occupied
Kuwait in 1990, and a US-led military coalition
drove them out in 1991. The destruction of many of
Kuwait’s oil wells complicated reconstruction efforts.
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Area:
total: 17,818 sq km
Climate:
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Natural resources:
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Population:
2,692,526
Ethnic groups:
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%
Religions:
Muslim 85% ,other (includes Christian, Hindu, Parsi) 15%
Languages:
Arabic (official), English widely spoken
Government type:
constitutional emirate
Capital:
name: Kuwait City
Administrative divisions:
6 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al 'Asimah, Al Farwaniyah, Al Jahra', Hawalli, Mubarak al Kabir
National holiday:
National Day, 25 February (1950)
ـ[بَحْرُ الرَّمَل]ــــــــ[02 - 11 - 2010, 01:52 م]ـ
LEBANON
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Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Palestine and Syria
Area:
total: 10,400 sq km
Climate:
Mediterranean; mild to cool, wet winters with hot, dry summers; Lebanon mountains experience heavy winter snows
Natural resources:
limestone, iron ore, salt, water-surplus state in a water-deficit region, arable land
Population:
4,017,095 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Ethnic groups:
Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%
Religions:
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