Theme Week Kuwait – Kuwait City

28 October 2017 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  10 minutes

Kuwait City skyline with the National Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank © flickr.com - Jaw101ie/cc-by-2.0

Kuwait City skyline with the National Bank of Kuwait, Burgan Bank © flickr.com – Jaw101ie/cc-by-2.0

Kuwait City is the capital and largest city of Kuwait with a populaton of 2.4 millionen. Kuwait City is the political, cultural and economic center of Kuwait. Kuwait City is considered a global city. Kuwait City’s trade and transportation needs are served by Kuwait International Airport, Mina Al-Shuwaik (Shuwaik Port) and Mina Al Ahmadi (Ahmadi Port). From 1946 to 1982, Kuwait experienced a period of prosperity driven by oil and its liberal atmosphere. In popular discourse, the years between 1946 and 1982 are referred to as the “Golden Era”. In 1950, a major public-work programme began to enable Kuwaitis to enjoy a modern standard of living. By 1952, the country became the largest oil exporter in the Persian Gulf region. This massive growth attracted many foreign workers, especially from Palestine, India, and Egypt – with the latter being particularly political within the context of the Arab Cold War. In June 1961, Kuwait became independent with the end of the British protectorate and the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became an Emir. Under the terms of the newly drafted constitution, Kuwait held its first parliamentary elections in 1963. Kuwait was the first of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf to establish a constitution and parliament.   read more…

Theme Week Kuwait – Mangaf

27 October 2017 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  5 minutes

Mangaf © hospitalityonline.com

Mangaf © hospitalityonline.com

Mangaf is a suburb of Kuwait City. It is a mix of old and new. The old is split into two areas; commercial and residential. Government housing from the 1980s formed the area with houses, while the rest was a large collection of residential tower blocks, a limited number of shops and fast-food places. There is a larger concentration of shops in the area locally known as Al Azeeziya. A concentration of mobile phone shops, computers, and more. It also has a branch of the Sultan Center chain. Mangaf now has many fast food chains such as KFC, Hardees along with other famous restaurants such as Minutes, Steek, Bustan Al Turkey Restaurant etc.   read more…

Theme Week Kuwait – Kuwait Towers

25 October 2017 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  7 minutes

© Paasikivi/cc-by-sa-3.0

© Paasikivi/cc-by-sa-3.0

The Kuwait Towers are a group of three slender towers in Kuwait City, standing on a promontory into the Persian Gulf. They were the sixth, and last, group in the larger Kuwait Water Towers system of 34 towers (33 store water, one stores equipment), and were built in a style considerably different from the other five groups. The Kuwait Towers were officially inaugurated in March 1979 and are regarded as a landmark and symbol of modern Kuwait. The towers were closed for maintenance from March 2012 to 8 March 2016, with a massive fireworks festival commemorating the re-opening. In 1980, the Kuwait Water Towers system, including the Kuwait Towers, was an inaugural recipient of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.   read more…

Al Hamra Tower in Kuwait City

14 September 2016 | Author/Destination: | Rubric: General Reading Time:  6 minutes

© Irvin calicut/cc-by-3-0

© Irvin calicut/cc-by-3-0

The Al Hamra Tower is a skyscraper in Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait. The construction of the comprehensive 77 level building began in 2005 and was conducted by the firm Turner Construction. The final height of the building of 413 meters was reached on July 15th 2010, making the tower on of the tallest buildings in the world. At the same time it has replaced the 371-meter high TV tower Liberation as the tallest structure in Kuwait. The Al Hamra Tower has surpassed the Arraya Tower (300 meters) as the highest skyscraper in the country. The works were finished in the fall of 2011, later than originally planned. At the start of construction, it was still assumed that the structure would be ready for occupancy at the end of 2010. However, this date could not be maintained, even if the construction work proceeded without any major incidents. At the foot of the tower there is a shopping center.   read more…

Return to TopReturn to Top