The borders of Kuwait in the past, the founding of the State of Kuwait dates back to 1613 AD, and it is one of the countries of the Middle East, located in the Arabian Peninsula, on the Arabian Gulf, and the real area of ​​Kuwait is estimated at 17,818 square kilometers. While its population approached 4.067.000 million people. The princes of the Al-Sabah family, whose origins go back to the Utub tribes, continued to rule. While the majority of its residents were working in shipbuilding, fishing, marine navigation, and pearl mining, which is the most important pillar of the economy in Kuwait, until the discovery of oil, which is a major national wealth in the country, and the export of the first shipment of it in 1946 AD.

Kuwait’s old borders

The borders of Kuwait in the past, to the east, bordered by the Arabian Gulf, to the north and west by Iraq, and to the south by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also extends, from east to west, by about 170 km. Also, the distance between the farthest point on its northern border and the farthest point on its southern border is estimated at 200 kilometers. While the length of the borders of Kuwait is 685 km, of which the bulk of it constitutes a common land border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Iraq, i.e. about 495 km. The length of Kuwait’s border with Iraq is about 240 km, and Kuwait’s border with Saudi Arabia is about 222 km.

See also

Kuwait’s old borders

the coast line

Kuwait’s maritime borders are located in the past, on its eastern side, and are estimated at about 195 km. The length of the coastal borders of Kuwait, for its entire coastal strip, in addition to the coasts of the Kuwaiti islands, is about 500 kilometers. While the length of the Kuwaiti coastal strip, not counting the length of the coast of the Kuwaiti islands, is about 325 km. This strip is a section of the shallow depression in the Shatt al-Arab. While the coastal region is divided into two regions

  • Northern region extending from Ras Al-Ardh, to Umm Qasr, and the coasts of Warba Island and Bubiyan Island.
  • Southern Region It extends from Ras Al-Ard and south to Al-Nuwaiseeb.

Kuwait’s old borders

Kuwait Islands

Within the borders of Kuwait in the past, Kuwait had 9 islands that differ in size and area, located in the Arabian Gulf, and they are the following islands

  • Boubyan Island It has an area of ​​about 683 square kilometers. It is the largest of the Kuwaiti islands, and the second largest of the Arabian Gulf islands after Qeshm Island. It constitutes about 5% of the total area of ​​Kuwait.
  • Failaka Island It is located 20 kilometers from the coast of Kuwait City. It is also the only island that was settled by the Kuwaitis. It was also an important commercial station on the sea route, between the civilizations of Mesopotamia and the civilizations that settled on the coast of the Arabian Gulf.
  • Warba Island It is located opposite the Iraqi coast, one kilometer away from it. It is also named after its low and sloping shape. It is also characterized by the abundance of lagoons, and its coasts are muddy and low. It is considered a nature reserve for birds.
  • Kubbar Island It is one of the most beautiful Kuwaiti islands rich in coral reefs. It is a small island, uninhabited. It is also about 34 kilometers from the city of Fahaheel. It is characterized by the purity of its water, soft sand and flocks of rare birds.
  • And Awah Island It is a fishing headquarters, where grouper fish breed. It is a small uninhabited island, located southeast of the city.
  • Umm Al-Maradim Island It is located on the Kuwaiti maritime border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was famous in the past for pearl fishing. It also abounds in seagulls and rare birds.
  • Maskan Island This small island is located northwest of Failaka Island, about 3.3 km away from it. It is also a nature reserve for birds and sea turtles.
  • And Qaruh Island It is the smallest of the islands of Kuwait in terms of area. Qaruh Island is considered the first land liberated after the second Gulf War.
  • Umm al-Naml Island It was inhabited and dates back to the Bronze Age. It is rich in marine life such as fish, shellfish and shrimp.
  • Shuwaikh Island It is known as the free zone, and the port of Shuwaikh. It is a small island. It was called by many names, such as the crutch and Al-Qurain, and it was adjacent to the coast of the southern Joun, about one kilometer away from it.

Kuwait’s old borders

Kuwait borders and the 1913 treaty

The treaty of 1913 AD is the first official demarcation of the borders of Kuwait in the past, and it is one of the articulated treaties in the country’s history. This treaty came years after the signing of the British Protection Agreement, during the era of the late Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah in 1899 AD. Here are some of the events in connection with this agreement

  • This agreement was valid, although it was not officially adopted, until the era of Sheikh Salem Al Mubarak, whose reign witnessed tension in the relations between the rulers of the State of Kuwait, Najd and Iraq.
  • Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah adhered to the terms of the aforementioned agreement within the borders of Kuwait, and did not give up an inch of it.
  • While during the era of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the political situation changed, and Britain did not abide by the 1913 agreement concluded with Kuwait, and sided with the other parties, following the Uqair Conference, which was held in 1922 AD, with the Ottoman Empire and Britain, to demarcate the borders between Kuwait, Najd and Iraq , without representing the Kuwaiti government, on the pretext that it is still under British tutelage.
  • On the other hand, he represented Kuwait, the British accredited representative at the time, who agreed to cut off the borders. When the Sheikh denounced, and demanded the British authority to abide by the details of the Kuwaiti borders, which were drawn and mentioned in the treaty of 1913 AD, the latter canceled the treaty under the pretext of the demise of the Ottoman Empire, which necessitates the cancellation of the agreement as well.

The British Government and the Kuwait Borders

Britain made the first attempt to demarcate the Kuwaiti border in 1904 AD, starting from Khor Al-Subiya towards the south, passing Umm Qasr and Safwan to the direction of Jabal Sanam, and then to Wadi Al-Batin. This was rejected by Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, who knew that the intent meant that the aforementioned areas would be cut off from Kuwait, while preventing the demarcation of the maritime borders and the islands to which they belong. While in 1907, a body of the Government of India and Britain issued the demarcation of the Kuwaiti border, and recognized the affiliation of each of the islands of Warba to Kuwait. It also postponed naming the rest of the islands and regions, to be under study. In 1908 AD, after the federalists took control of the rule in Basra, they tried to extend their influence in Kuwait. Sheikh Mubarak confronted them, explaining that Kuwait’s independence dates back to the time of the Ottoman Empire. He had retained the title (the ruler of Kuwait and its tribes) instead of the title (Al-Qaim Maqam), which the Ottoman governors of Basra called him.

The capital of Kuwait

Kuwait City is the official capital of the State of Kuwait, and it is the largest city and port in Kuwait. The capital is also located on the southern side of the Kuwait Bay, on the Arabian Gulf, specifically at Ras Agouza in the center of the country. It is also divided into four regions Sharq, Jableh, Mirqab, and Dasman. While Kuwait, before the discovery of oil in its lands, was one of the most prominent stations for commercial caravans, located on the Silk Road between India and the countries of the West. And the port of Shuwaikh and the port of Ahmadi. The governorate is also considered one of the fast-growing modern areas. Especially after the discovery of oil, which witnessed a broad urban renaissance. It is also famous for the petrochemical industries, such as oil refining and the production of gasoline, liquefied gas, gasoline and others. And chemical industries such as plastics, detergents, food and metal industries, and various building materials industry. As well as the most prominent features of the towers, markets, mosques and parks. While it was chosen as the capital of Islamic culture for the year 2016.

Kuwait areas

During our research on the borders of Kuwait in the past, the administrative divisions of the State of Kuwait are divided into 6 major governorates, each of which is divided into a group of cities. It also has several villages, including

  • Governorate which was established in 1962 AD, and includes the seat of government, the government, and the Kuwaiti National Assembly. Its most prominent cities are Kuwait City, Dasman, Al Sharq, Al Mirqab, Salhiya, Al Watiyah, and Kaifan.
  • Jahra Governorate Founded in 1979. It is also considered one of the largest governorates in terms of area. The most prominent of its cities are Al-Waha, Al-Naeem, Sulaibiya, Al-Qasr, Tayma, Al-Ayoun, Boubyan Island.
  • Farwaniya Governorate Founded in 1988. It is also considered the largest Kuwaiti governorate in terms of population. Its most prominent cities are Abraq Khaitan, Omariya, Andalusia, Seville
  • Hawalli Governorate Founded in 1962 AD. It is also considered the smallest Kuwaiti governorate in terms of area, and the most densely populated. The most prominent of its cities are Hawalli, Al Shaab, Jabriya, Mishref, Salmiya, Salwa, Al Nuqra, Hittin and Al Siddik.
  • Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorate Founded in 1999. It is also the newest province. Its most prominent cities are Mubarak Al-Kabeer Suburb, Al-Adan, Al-Qusour, Sabhan, Al-Qurain, Abu Fatira, Sabah Al-Salem, Al-Masila, Fintas.
  • Al-Ahmadi Governorate Founded in 1962 AD. It is also more densely populated than the original Kuwaiti citizens. Its most prominent cities are Fintas, Al Ahmadi, Egaila, Al Maqwa, Al Raqqa, Al Sabahiya, Hadiya and Fahaheel.

See also

Information about Kuwait

By looking at the borders of Kuwait in the past, we present the following set of information about Kuwait, which we can summarize as follows

  • The Kuwait Municipality was established on April 13, 1930 AD, after Sheikh Yusuf bin Isa Al-Qena’i’s visit to Bahrain in July 1928 AD, after he had won the admiration of the Bahrain Municipality, which was established in 1919 AD. He wrote an article entitled (Shari’a Ruling in the History of Municipalities). He presented the idea of ​​establishing the municipality to the ruler of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who immediately approved the establishment of the Kuwait Municipality to contribute to facilitating the work and interests of citizens in all fields.
  • Some wonder about Kuwait’s border with Iran. In fact, there is no direct border with Iran, as Iraq and the waters of the Persian Gulf separate the two countries. While Kuwait is 200 km away from Ahwaz in Iran, and the Iranian city of Muhammarah is two hours away from Abdali in Kuwait by car after passing through Iraqi lands. As for the question Is Kuwait Iraqi? In fact, Kuwait was known as the 19th governorate of Iraq, and it used to belong to the Iraqi state in the past.
  • In April of 1951, the Kuwaiti government commissioned Spencely, Minobrio, and McFarren, the advisors, to prepare the first structural plan for Kuwait. The main objectives of the plan were as follows
    • Preparing a network of advanced and modern roads, to suit the traffic congestion, in the capital, Kuwait, and the new areas adjacent to it.
    • Create designated areas for government, industrial, and commercial buildings, educational institutions and other facilities.
    • Identifying and servicing new residential areas inside and outside the city wall.
    • Occupying some sites and converting them into sports fields, playgrounds, and open squares such as gardens and parks. And carry out campaigns for afforestation on the main roads.
    • Improving Safat Square, and modernizing the central business district, without prejudice to the aesthetic and harmony of the distinctive government buildings of the city.
    • The structural plan fulfilled its purpose and was at the level of expectations, as it covered Kuwait City from within the wall for a distance of 755 hectares, and outside the wall where it covered the neighboring areas, and even the C-Ring by about 1450 hectares, according to urban planning standards, with well-studied scientific foundations.
    • The structural plan also included the ring roads and radial roads that characterize Kuwait today.
    • The system of residential suburbs and their centers was introduced which adopted the separation of suburbs from the old city by green belt.
    • This system created a kind of balance and traffic regulation by restricting new work sites in the opposite direction of the city, such as the Shuwaikh Industrial Area, the Hospital District, the new airport, and others.

From all of the foregoing, we have presented the borders of Kuwait in the past, and we referred to many information about the Kuwaiti borders with neighboring countries according to the agreement of June 29, 1913 AD, between the British government and the Ottoman Empire, in which the borders of Kuwait were demarcated in the past, and it was recognized as a state, enjoying its autonomy, at a time when its ruler had to be an Ottoman loyalist.