"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٤‎٠‎١] (٥٤٢/٤١٢)

KIRMANSHAH—KOWEIT 401
KOWEIT. On the NW. shore of the Persian Gulf, about T 80 m.
SSE. of Basra. Pop. 30,000 to 40,000. Other estimates place the
number somewhat higher. 3,000 houses, or rather more.
Routes.—
To Zobeir and Umm Qasr. (See 23 c and d.)
To Boreidah. (See Boute 24 a (i).)
To Hofuf and Qatif. (See R 24 b.)
General Description. —The town lies on a small projection or tongue
of land, which terminates in Ras 'Ajuzeh, on the southern side of
a great bay of the same name as the town. The bay is 20 m. long
E. and W., and has a maximum breadth of 10 m. N. and S., in
the greater part of which there is anchorage, with good holding
ground. In a N. wind there is a considerable sea in the southern part
of the bay, but not enough to distress a large vessel. The depths
of the harbour are from 10 to 16 fathoms off the Eas el-Ardh ; from
5 to 9 fathoms off Ras Ajuzeh ; 4^ to 5 fathoms northward of
Kas 'Usheirij ; and from 6^ to 6 fathoms in Dohat Kadhimeh,
shoaling to 4 fathoms near the narrows at its head. The town extends
about 1 m. along the beach. It is provided with numerous substantial
stone breakwaters which form tidal harbours for native craft. The
beach dries out to a considerable distance, and landing when the tide
is out is not a pleasant operation ; ponies are taken out and are
mounted from the boat; failing which it would be necessary to
wade a long way. At high water the sea washes up to the front
row of houses, and landing from boats on any of the sea-walls is easy.
The site of the town is generally flat, but the SW. quarter stands
rather higher than the rest, and has steep lanes leading up to it from
the beach. The streets are irregular and winding, and many are
blind alleys. Most houses have only a ground floor, but appear
higher owing to the parapet-wall round the roof.
The town is comparatively clean, well built, and prosperous in
appearance, with many solid stone houses, others being built of sun-
dried brick. The main bazaar is broad and open, clean and busy.
It lies about the middle of the town at right angles to the sea.
During the last forty years the town has completely outgrown its
old walls. On the S. side there has grown up a long suburb called
Murqab, which is the point of arrival and departure for the caravans
trading between Koweit and the interior. Here may be seen strings
of camels; and here, too, the Bedouin mostly congregate, camp, and
'transact their business, as, if armed, they are not allowed in the town.
There are some 500 shops, 3 caravanserais, 6 coffee-houses, 3 schools,
and 20-30 mosques, 4 of which are or Friday congregational
mosques. There are also numerous warehouses and stores.
mes> ii. /i f»