1. Kuwait History Facts
Kuwait's Failaka Island was originally colonized by the Greeks in the 3rd century
BC. What did the Greeks call this island? (Hint: feathers, wax, and the sun).
Ikaros (Icarus). Ikaros (Icarus) and his father, Daedelus, were in exile on the Isle
of Crete. Daedalus made wings from wax and feathers for himself and his son.
Ikaros flew too close to the sun, and the wax melted and all the feathers fell off.
Ikaros fell into the sea. The reason for this name being applied to this island is
not very clear, but some speculate that it is because of the extreme heat.
Starting in the 16th century, Kuwait was influenced by a variety of European
countries, which used Kuwait to develop their trade routes. Which was the first

2. documented European country to use Kuwait for this purpose? (Hint: the name
is the base of the Arabic word for 'orange').
Portugal. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Great
Britain all used Kuwait as as port on major routes for their trade to the Far East.
The Arabic word for orange is 'burtuqaal' - and since there is no "p" sound in
Arabic, you can hear the similarity more if you pronounce burtuqaal with a "p"
at the beginning!
In the beginning of the 18th century, the British had major control over the
trade routes between Europe and Asia. What was the name of the British
company that was largest trading company?
East India Company. The East India Company traded silk, cotton, tea, and
opium, among other things. One of the trade routes between the East and West
went through the Persian/Arabian Gulf. This influence of Indian trade is still
evident in Kuwait today, as many traditional clothing styles and foods have a
distinctive Indian flavor.
It is generally accepted that Kuwait officially became a country in 1752, with the
appointment of Sheikh Sabah I. When he died in 1762, he was succeeded by
whom? (Hint: who would be the most likely candidate?).

3. Abdullah I (his son). Abdullah I is considered the true founder of Kuwait, as he
was the one who commissioned the building of the walls around the city.
Abdullah also gained a great number of weapons and ships for Kuwait, which
were used in the battle of Al-Riggae, between Failaka and Bubyan Islands.
After a succession of four sheikhs between 1762 and 1892, Sheikh Muhammad
Al-Sabah took power in 1892. He only ruled until 1896, when he died. How is he
generally believed to have died?
Assassinated by his half-brother. According to local historical tales, Sheikh
Muhammad was a kind leader, and beloved by his citizens. His half-brother,
Mubarak, entered Muhammad's home and assassinated him in his bedroom.
Mubarak (also known as Mubarak the Great) was feared by many Kuwaitis, but
had strong control on events and maintained safety and security from foreign
sources.
Sheikh Mubarak is known as the founder of "modern" Kuwait. Kuwait was small
country with a strategic position on the trade routes between India and Europe.
Due to increasing instability in surrounding areas, Mubarak sought an
agreement of protection from which Europeans? (Hint: they were great
colonizers).
British. On January 18, 1899, Mubarak signed an agreement with the British -
while not technically a colony, Kuwait was to be protected. Kuwait could
continue to grow, without fear of being conquered by foreign powers, most
notably the Ottomans or Russians.

4. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was the emir of Kuwait when its future wealth
was discovered. What was discovered in Kuwait in 1938?
Oil. It was 1934 when the search for oil in Kuwait began and in 1938 large
amounts of oil were found. The first shipment of oil left Kuwait in 1946. There
are no gold or diamonds to be mined in Kuwait. Pearl-diving was a traditional
source of wealth in Kuwait until the mid 1900s.
Until 1959 Kuwait used the Indian Rupee as its currency, but then the British
introduced a new monetary unit, especially for use in the Persian Gulf countries.
What was the currency used in Kuwait called from 1959 to 1961? (Hint: where is
Kuwait located?).
The Gulf Rupee. Many of my students in Kuwait do not even know the history of
the money used in Kuwait. The Gulf Rupee was issued by the Indian government
and held the same value as the Indian Rupee.
The Kuwaiti Dinar was first set-up in 1961. If the Dinar is equivalent to the US
dollar, what is the name of their coin equivalent to the US cent?

5. Fils. There are 1000 fils in 1 Dinar. When the Dinar first was introduced, it was
pegged to 1 British Pound Sterling. With a variety of peggings throughout its
history, since 2007 the Dinar has been pegged to a basket of international
currencies. As of 2010, the Kuwaiti Dinar is the 'heaviest' currency in the world.
It is available in 1/4, 1/2, 1, 5, 10, and 20 Dinar denominations.
Kuwait took sides during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. Which side did Kuwait
support? (Hint: ironic!)
Iraq. Kuwait sent billions of dollars of aid to Iraq during their war with Iran. Iran
attacked Kuwaiti oil tankers, causing Kuwait to ask the US to send warships to
protect them. Ironically, it was Iraq, under its leader, Saddam Hussein, who
invaded Kuwait in August of 1990, under 2 claims - that Kuwait actually WAS a
territory of Iraq, and that Kuwait was drilling side-ways into Iraqi oil fields.
Guess it just goes to show, be careful who you take as friends!
Written By
Hussain ALi