ABOUT KUWAIT:
The state of Kuwait is a country located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, enclosed by Kingdome of Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west.  Kuwait has a population of approximately 3 million and an area of 17,818 km². Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government and Kuwait City serves as its political and economic capital.   H.H. Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah is the Amir (Ruler) and H.H. Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah is the crown prince.  Kuwait has the world's fifth largest proven oil reserves and is the ninth richest country in the world per capita. 

CULTURE:
Being a highly cosmopolitan society, Kuwait has a diverse and vibrant culture. However, the influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle is prominent. The most distinctive characteristic of local Kuwaiti culture are the diwaniyas, a large reception room used for social gatherings attended mostly by close family members. While the Islamic dress code is not compulsory, unlike neighboring Saudi Arabia, many Kuwaiti men prefer wearing Dishdash a, an ankle-length white shirt woven from wool or cotton while some women wear abaya, black over-garment covering most parts of the body. This attire is particularly well-suited for Kuwait's hot and dry climate. Western-style clothing is also fairly popular, especially among Kuwait's youth.  Kuwait is a civilized country and everything essential to modern comfortable living is available. Healthy food in plenty of variety, clothing of latest design and fashion, house hold items from furniture to electric accessories, cars, motor boats, toys, sports goods, in short practically anything and everything from all over the world is imported into Kuwait.

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP:
There are over 800 mosques in Kuwait. Members of other faiths have freedom of worship and there are quite a few Christian churches in the country. Kuwait’s Catholic cathedral is in Watya (near the Sheraton Hotel), and next to it there is a Coptic church, and about a block away a Presbyterian church. There is an Orthodox Church in Co-operative Street in Salwa (opposite the Universal American School), and in Ahmadi, a Catholic church and an Anglican church.

CONSUMER PROTECTION:
The quality of food, medicines and household goods on sale in Kuwait is usually very high, though problems do occur from time to time.

The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) is responsible for ensuring that food is fit for human consumption. However the Food Control Department at the Municipality (Baladeyah) receives complaints concerning spoiled food or food sold beyond its expiry date. The Food Control Department has centres in each governorate and these are usually located near the ‘coop’ supermarkets.
Pharmacies are supervised by the Drugs Registration and Inspection Department of the MPH, to whom complaints about the quality of medicines and medical apparatus should be addressed.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MCI) is responsible for ensuring that consumers get a fair shake. The consumer-protection department deals with all consumer-related complaints. The complaint is usually investigated immediately and eventually, if it seems that the shopkeeper has a case to answer, both parties are summoned for a hearing at the commercial prosecution office in the Ministry of Justice.

 ECONOMY:
Kuwait is a highly industrialized country with a GDP (PPP) of US$138.6 billion and a per capita income of US$39,300, making it the fourth richest country in the world. Kuwait's human development index (HDI) stands at 0.871, the second highest in Middle East, and the highest in the Arab world. With a GDP growth rate of 5.7%, Kuwait has one of the fastest growing economies in the region.  According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom, Kuwait has the second-most free economy in the Middle East.