|
Kuwait n Kuwait is a small desert oil rich country situated in the Middle East bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. It is one of the key members in the Gulf Cooperation Counsel (GCC) with other five members Bahrain, Oman , Qatar, Saudi and UAE . n It has a total area of 17,820 sq km full land area and has no water area slightly smaller than New Jersey. It has a Coastline of 499 km. n Climate : Dry desert; intensely hot summers; short cool winters. In summer temp raises beyond 50 Degree and in winter it may reach 4 degree and rarely 0 Degree Celsius. Sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August n Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed desert location 306 m n Population: 2,111,561 includes 1,159,913 non-nationals Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%, South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7% n Religions: Muslim 85% (Sunni 45%, Shi'a 40%), Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15% n Languages: Arabic (official), English widely spoken Christianity in Kuwait n Most of the Christian faithful come from the expatriate population in the State of Kuwait. The number of Christians presently in Kuwait after 55 years since its modest beginnings is roughly 200,000. There is a nominal indigenous (Kuwaiti) Christian population of approximately 200 citizens, most of whom belong to 12 large families n The Catholic Vicariate is largely made up of Asians from India, the Philipines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Arab Christians from Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Syria which make up roughly 75,000 members (Maronite Christians also worship at the Catholic cathedral in Kuwait city). n The Anglican (Episcopalian) Church, has around 115 members (several thousand other Christians use the Anglican Church for worship services). n The National Evangelical Church (Protestant), with 3 main congregations (Arabic, English, and Malayalee) has around 15,000 members (several other Christian denominations also worship at the National Evangelical Church Compound). n The Greek Orthodox Church (referred to locally as the "Roman Orthodox" Church), has 3,500 members; the Armenian Orthodox Church, has 4,000 members; the Coptic Orthodox Church, has 60,000 members; the Greek Catholic (Eastern Rite) Church membership totals are unavailable There are other Christian denominations in the country, with tens of thousands of members. These denominations include Seventh-Day Adventists, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons), Marthoma, and the Indian Orthodox Syrian Church . Catholic Church in Kuwait n The Catholic Church in Kuwait records its humble and historical beginnings from around the year 1945. n On the December 2, 1954 The Catholic Church in Kuwait became a Vicariate Apostolic, a status it enjoys till today. Pope entrusted it to the Order of the Discalced Carmelites There are three worshiping centers for Catholics in Kuwait. 1 .The Holy Family in the Desert Cathedral – Kuwait City 2. Our Lady of Arabia Parish – Ahmadi 3. The Holy Redeemer Chapel – Salmiya
|