Kuwait has been inhabited for millennia, but began to emerge as an Arab shaikhdom relatively late, after the arrival of the `Utub clans of central Arabia during the first decades of the 18th century. Entering the historical record first as a junction of caravan and sea routes, it quickly grew to be a commercial rival to Basra at the head of the Gulf. --

Ever since Kuwait emerged in the 18th century as a young maritime state with an extreme dependence on the sea, it has been renowned for the consummate skills of its sailors and dhow-builders. Kuwait's shipwrights became justly famed for the beauty, seaworthiness and practicality of their vessels, and the Kuwaiti boum became a symbol of Kuwait's maritime prowess on all the dhow routes linking Arabia, Iran, India and East Africa. This book describes in detail how Kuwaiti shipwrights built their vessels, in particular the boum .As with dhows everywhere, this was done entirely by hand and eye, without drawings of any kind. There are chapters on celebrated master builders and famous dhows, on sails, rigging and launching, and on tools and timber. There is also an extensive glossary of Kuwaiti nautical terms. Today the era of Kuwait's sailing dhows is long gone. In The Art of Dhow-building in Kuwait Dr Ya'qub Al-Hijji, himself a Kuwaiti maritime historian, provides a timely memorial of the craft industry which sustained this unique maritime nation. It is lavishly illustrated with drawings, colour photographs and remarkable old black-and-white images.The latter, from the first half of the 20th century, include many by Alan Villiers, and form an eloquent pictorial elegy on the passing of a great maritime tradition.

Based on real-life stories from an international school in Kuwait, which chart the survival of teachers from the thrown-in-at-the-deep-end start to the I-can't-believe-we-made-it finish. Outlandish comedy abounds as the teachers laugh and lose it, through a mine field of barriers to logic, and challenges to plain common sense.The book illuminates the startling excesses of the oil-money rich as they balance a past of poverty with an extreme pot of gold from the end of the rainbow. It shows Kuwait as a microcosm reflecting the more global issues surrounding waste, ecology, using more than we need, and consumerism gone mad. The stories reveal the pros and cons of teaching on the international circuit and how the teachers adapt to an alien land of dust, sexual and racial inequality and an oppressive political regime, both inside and outside school. Resilience, fortitude and a hefty dose of humour gets the teachers through to the end with a cheer and a wave.

This volume reviews present sources and levels of pollution in The Gulf, assesses their causes and effects on biota and ecosystems, and identifies preventive and remedial measures reducing levels of pollution and mitigating adverse impacts. It is supported by UNESCO, Doha.

Text on coastal engineering and oceanography covering theory and applications intended to mitigate shoreline erosion.

"The Complete Travel Guide Series" offers a comprehensive exploration of diverse destinations worldwide. Each book provides detailed insights into local culture, history, attractions, and practical travel tips, ensuring travellers are well-prepared to embark on memorable journeys. With vibrant illustrations, beautiful pictures and up to date information, this series is an essential companion for any type of traveller seeking enriching experiences.

Kuwait is one of the biggest players in the global energy market, with its proven oil reserves currently the sixth largest in the world. Although revenues from hydrocarbons account for more than 60% of GDP and 95% of exports, the country’s low production costs and sizeable fiscal reserves mean it is well positioned to cope with lower oil prices in the short term. This is clear from the government’s ongoing commitment to delivering projects outlined in the national development strategy, Kuwait Vision 2035. In the financial services sector, Kuwait continues to perform well, as a series of regulations put in place by the Central Bank of Kuwait in recent years have served to shore up the sector’s recovery from the global economic downturn.

This book, first published in 1972, describes a Kuwait normally hidden to the eyes of visitors. The author draws upon a vast experience of the country, from both before and after the discovery of oil, and analyses the changes to the physical appearance of the city as well as the changes to the customs and outlook of its people.

Music and Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula provides a pioneering overview of folk and traditional urban music, along with dance and rituals, of Saudi Arabia and the Upper Gulf States of Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar. The nineteen chapters introduce variegated regions and subcultures and their rich and dynamic musical arts, many of which heretofore have been unknown beyond local communities. The book contains insightful descriptions of genres, instruments, poetry, and performance practices of the desert heartland (Najd), the Arabian/Persian Gulf shores, the great western cities including Makkah and Medinah, the southwestern mountains, and the hot Red Sea coast. Musical customs of distinctive groups such as Bedouin, seafarers, and regional women are explored. The book is packaged with downloadable resources and almost 200 images including a full color photo essay, numerous music transcriptions, a glossary with over 400 specialized terms, and original Arabic script alongside key words to assist with further research. This book provides a much-needed introduction and organizational structure for the diverse and complex musical arts of the region.