KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait, a small but wealthy nation in the Persian Gulf, stands out as one of the largest countries lacking three essential features: a permanent river, a commercial airport serving its entire population, and significant agricultural farmland. Despite its modern skyline and oil-driven economy, these absences shape its unique identity as of March 19, 2025.
Spanning 17,818 square kilometers, Kuwait has no natural rivers due to its arid desert climate, relying instead on desalination plants for water—a costly but necessary adaptation. While the country boasts Kuwait International Airport, it primarily serves the capital and surrounding areas, leaving remote regions without direct air access; smaller airstrips exist, but none support commercial flights for the broader population. Agriculture is equally scarce—less than 1% of its land is arable, forcing Kuwait to import nearly all its food, a vulnerability exposed during global supply chain disruptions.
These gaps haven’t hindered Kuwait’s prosperity. Oil reserves, among the world’s largest, fuel its economy, with a GDP per capita of $36,000, per recent World Bank data. Yet, the lack of rivers and farmland underscores its dependence on external resources, while limited air connectivity highlights infrastructure challenges beyond urban centers. “We’ve built a modern state, but nature sets limits,” a local official noted. Kuwait’s story is one of resilience—thriving without essentials through wealth, innovation, and strategic imports.
