Kuwait

Abstract

Kuwait, located on the northwestern shore of the Arabian Gulf, has little, if any, recorded history. While some scattered information and a few archaeological studies exist, 1 the country's modern history spans little more than two and a quarter centuries. Prior to the discovery of oil in 1936 Kuwait was extremely poor. Its small population survived mostly on fishing, trade, and pearl-diving. Lacking even supplies of fresh water, Kuwait had never attained an important place in the region. Such education as existed before 1912 was based on Koranic instruction. The teaching of religion, the study of the Koran, reading, and bookkeeping were the main activities of the kulaba (Koranic schools).