Kuwait, officially known as the State of Kuwait, is a country located in West Asia within the geopolitical region of the Middle East. Positioned at the northern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, it lies at the head of the Persian Gulf and shares borders with Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. With a coastline of approximately 500 kilometers (311 miles), Kuwait also shares a maritime border with Iran across the Persian Gulf. Most of its population resides in the urban area of Kuwait City, the capital and largest city. As of 2024, Kuwait’s population is 4.82 million, including 1.53 million Kuwaiti citizens and 3.29 million foreign nationals from over 100 countries. Kuwait has the third-largest foreign-born population in the world. Before oil reserves were discovered in 1938, Kuwait was a regional trade hub. From 1946 to 1982, the country experienced significant modernization driven by oil revenues. However, during the 1980s, Kuwait faced geopolitical instability and an economic crisis following a stock market crash. In 1990, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein’s leadership, invaded and annexed Kuwait over oil production disputes. The occupation ended on February 26, 1991, after an American-led coalition liberated the country during the Gulf War. Kuwait is an emirate, with the emir serving as the head of state. The Al Sabah family plays a dominant role in the nation’s political system. Islam, particularly the Maliki school of Sunni Islam, is the official state religion. Kuwait’s economy is classified as high-income and is supported by the world’s sixth-largest oil reserves. In the realm of arts and popular culture, Kuwait is considered a trailblazer in the region and is often referred to as the “Hollywood of the Gulf.” The country pioneered the modern arts movement in the Arabian Peninsula and has produced leading regional artists. Kuwaiti theatre, radio, music, and television soap operas are popular and exported to neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Kuwait is a founding member of the GCC and is also a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, and OPEC.​