Marhaba! Welcome to the land of the desert and the deep blue sea—Kuwait, a small, oil-rich nation tucked into the corner of the Persian Gulf. There are around 5 million people living here, and the capital is Kuwait City, a modern metropolis known for its impressive skyline and traditional markets. The official language is Arabic, but English is very common in daily life and business.

Kuwait covers about 17,818 square kilometers (6,880 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about the same size as Slovenia in Europe. Most of the country is a flat, sandy desert, which experiences some of the hottest summer temperatures on the planet.

The most popular sport is Football (Soccer). Their national animal is the Arabian Camel, which has been a vital companion to the people of the desert for thousands of years.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of green, white, and red with a black trapezoid on the left, where the green represents fertile land, the white stands for purity, the red symbolizes the blood of enemies, and the black represents the defeat of enemies in battle.

The food is a delicious blend of Arabian, Persian, and Indian influences. You must try Machboos, the national dish, which is fragrant basmati rice cooked with spiced meat (usually chicken or lamb) and served with a spicy tomato sauce called daqus. Another favorite is Mutabbaq Samak, which is fried fish served over seasoned rice. Because of its location on the Gulf, Kuwaitis are also experts at preparing Fresh Grilled Prawns and Zubaidi (silver pomfret).

Kuwait is home to the Kuwait Towers, a group of three slender towers that have become the global symbol of the nation. The country also has a long and proud history of Pearl Diving, which was the backbone of the economy before oil was discovered in 1938. If you visit the Souq Al-Mubarakiya, you can experience one of the oldest markets in the country, smelling the incense and spices just as people did generations ago. Interestingly, the Kuwaiti Dinar is currently the highest-valued currency unit in the world. Despite its small size, Kuwait also has a thriving Arts and Theater scene, often considered the cultural hub of the Gulf region.

From the quiet desert nights to the bright lights of the Salmiya district, Kuwait is a land of tradition and modern wealth. Shukran! That means “Thank you!”