Traditionally, the territory was the location of Characene, an important Parthian harbor for business between Mesopotamia and India. The first to colonize the country were the Bani Utbah clan. These Arabian colonizers ruled the area for a long period and did the groundwork of the contemporary Kuwait.
Close to the 19th century, the country was ruled by the Ottoman Kingdom, and once World War I ended, it developed as an autonomous sheikhdom under the safeguard of the British Kingdom. The country achieved freedom from the United Kingdom on June 19, 1961.
Since its independence in 1961, the oil industry of Kuwait witnessed exceptional economic development. This small Arab nation is home to the fifth-biggest oil reserve in the world. At present, petroleum products represent almost 95% of income from exports and 80% of government revenue. Major industries include construction, shipping, water desalination, cement, financial services, and construction materials.
Kuwait exports oil and refined products and fertilizers. The country imports construction materials, food, automobiles and components, and garments.
