Kuwait

Kuwait, a small sheikhdom on the Persian Gulf, became a British protectorate in 1899 and gained independence in 1961. Oil discovered in 1938 transformed it into one of the world's wealthiest states per capita. Iraq's invasion under Saddam Hussein (1990) was reversed by the US-led Gulf War coalition in 1991. Kuwait is a constitutional emirate with an elected parliament.

• Existed: 1961 CE – present
• Type: Entity
• Government: Constitutional Emirate
• Capital: Kuwait City