State of Kuwait

Capital: Kuwait
Area: 17,820 Sq Km
Estimated population: 2,111,561
note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)
Background Information: Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Source: CIA World Factbook 2002