The Cost of Biofuel

Each part of the economy relies upon vitality for creation and other everyday exercises. Seemingly, transport area is one of the divisions that profoundly rely upon energy.Advertising We will compose a custom paper test on The Cost of Biofuel explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More Each vessel of transportation utilizes one wellspring of vitality or the other. In any case, oil which is for the most part utilized as a wellspring of vitality in the vehicle area is non-inexhaustible. In such manner, the battle by earthy people about the need to utilize inexhaustible wellsprings of vitality which are ecologically neighborly has prompted the presentation of biofuel as a wellspring of vitality. Tragically, biofuel utilizes nourishment crops in its creation subsequently diminishing the measure of nourishment accessible for human utilization. Also, nourishment costs have expanded definitely as of late in this manner turning out to be excessively expensive particularly for the needy individuals. Some portion of this expansion has been credited to utilization of biofuels. Therefore, there have been contentions with regards to whether measures ought to be taken to guarantee that individuals don't bite the dust of appetite while nourishment crops are utilized to create biofuel. With the pattern of current utilization of vitality, it is very vital that elective wellsprings of vitality are found. Petroleum derivatives which are significantly utilized in vitality creation are non-sustainable, yet additionally a wellspring of ecological contamination. Thus, it is very vital that different wellsprings of vitality which are earth neighborly ought to be investigated to decrease the impacts of natural corruption (Gasparators Stromberg, 2012). In Addition, a wellspring of vitality that will bolster people in the future ought to be found or, in all likelihood we leave the group of people yet to come helpless before destiny. Biofuels are consequently exceptionally esse ntial on the grounds that regardless of the way that they are inexhaustible and will subsequently be maintainable over the long haul, they don't dirty nature. Note that creation of biofuel doesn't just have points of interest as its activists may need us to accept. Increment being used of biofuels has expanded rivalry in nourishment creation. The measure of corn utilized in the creation of ethanol has expanded forcefully as of late. On a similar note, soybeans are additionally progressively being utilized underway of biodiesel while their utilization as nourishment is decreasing. Tragically, increment underway of nourishment isn't proportionate to the expansion in the amount of nourishment requested. Therefore, costs have needed to increment because of popularity (Scragg, 2009). This has decreased the capacity of individuals particularly the poor to manage the cost of nourishment accordingly presenting them to threat of starvation.Advertising Looking for exposition on natural examin ations? How about we check whether we can support you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, because of expanded interest of corn and soybeans combined with the great costs that these yields bring, an ever increasing number of ranchers are committing their territory to creation of these harvests. This has energized monocropping which has end up being risky previously. Note that planting one sort of yield over and again in a spot lessens richness of the dirt while simultaneously it prompts safe irritations (Westhoff, 2010). Thusly, this lessens amount of creation over the long haul. However, these impacts may set aside some effort to be felt, they will influence future creation. Correspondingly, expanded interest for creation of ethanol and biodiesel has caused ranchers to search for cultivating routes through which they to can build their creation. Subsequently, ranchers are utilizing progressively forceful techniques for cultivating (Westhoff, 2010). These incorpor ate; a lot of motorization and expanded utilization of composts just as pesticides. The outcome is soil exhaustion, expanded soil disintegration and ecological contamination. Along these lines, as opposed to the principle point of utilizing biofuels which is to save nature, biofuels add to ecological corruption. Strikingly, biofuel represents an insignificant level of vitality devoured on the planet at present. By the by, the measure of vitality utilized in its creation is far a lot higher than the measure of vitality delivered from biofuels. Notwithstanding, biofuels are answerable for an extremely noteworthy increment in the amount of nourishment devoured. Correspondingly, biofuels have influenced biodiversity by urging individuals to depend on one yield cultivating. All these will influence the low pay workers because of expanded nourishment costs, yet additionally because of decreased decisions (Scragg, 2009). We as a whole concur that inexhaustible and eco-accommodating wellspr ings of vitality ought to be investigated to guarantee supportability of vitality later on. In any case, increment in total populace implies that nourishment creation particularly for human utilization ought to be expanded, not decreased.Advertising We will compose a custom exposition test on The Cost of Biofuel explicitly for you for just $16.05 $11/page Learn More Much as biofuels must be delivered, steps ought to be taken to guarantee that nourishment security is accomplished. It is exceptionally cruel to deliver nourishment which is utilized for vitality creation while individuals are biting the dust of craving. Research ought to be done to build the quantity of harvests that can be utilized to create biofuel (Gasparators Stromberg, 2012). Also, blended cultivating ought to be supported with the goal that the amount of harvests delivered will be expanded along these lines guaranteeing that nourishment is constantly accessible. Furthermore, there is have to instruct ranchers that nourishment can be created for benefits. This will guarantee that individuals don't quit delivering nourishment in light of the fact that biofuel crops pay well. More or less, the expense of biofuel ought to be offset with the penances made. In the event that partners don't fare thee well, creation of biofuel will endanger nourishment security. References Gasparators, A. Stromberg P. (2012). Financial and Environmental Impacts of Biofuels: Evidence from Developing Nations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Scragg, A. H. (2009). Biofuels: Production, Application and Development. Wallingford: CABI. Westhoff, P. (2010). The Economics of Food: How Feeding and Fueling the Planet Affects Food Prices. Upper Saddle River: FT Press. This article on The Cost of Biofuel was composed and put together by client June P. to help you with your own examinations. You are allowed to utilize it for research and reference purposes so as to compose your own paper; notwithstanding, you should refer to it likewise. You can give your paper here.

Social media product launch campaign - 275 Words

Social media product launch campaign (Coursework Sample) Content: Social media product launch campaign Name Institution of affiliation Date Using social media as you platform campaign strategy does not start with your first Facebook post or the first tweet and does not end with you tweeting the last tweet or updating the last Facebook post. A success social media campaign requires progressive monitoring and evaluation. The following outline how a social media campaign strategy will be monitored and evaluated. First, a unique hashtag representing our brand contracted with an influential football will be initiated. The famous footballer will be leading conversations asking questions and posting trends related to our product. In instances we will be getting few retweets and feedbacks various issues in the strategy will be reassessed CITATION Aut14 \l 1033 (Autenrieth, 2014). Various social management tools will be used to monitor and track data on social media sites. Significant time will be spent engaging and tracking participantsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ responses both on Facebook and Twitter. Search streams will be developed to track conversations regarding our product campaign. These streams will be tied to with our Facebook page and various hashtags relating to our products and URLs linked to stores where our product can be purchased. The data obtain from these streams will enable us to evaluate the failures and success of our product campaign plan. A positive and responsive interactive atmosphere both in Facebook and Twitter will be created to engage actively with people in a colorful and personal manner engaging them on issues relating to the product campaign CITATION LeP15 \l 1033 (LePage, 2015). People will able to rate and notify us on the aspects regarding the product campaign effectiveness. Negative comments on the product will be carefully analyzed and dealt without justifying various hiccups in our product campaign strategy. These feedbacks will be used to resolve issues immediately so as to do away with massive long term damages in...

The DREAM Act Explained

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is a bill last introduced into Congress on March 26, 2009. Its purpose is to give undocumented students a chance at becoming permanent residents. The bill provides students with a path to citizenship regardless of the status passed on to them by their undocumented parents. A previous version of the bill states that if a student entered the U.S. five years before the passage of the legislation and was under age 16 when they entered the U.S., they would be eligible for a six-year conditional residency status after completing an associates degree or two years of military service. If at the end of the six-year period the individual has demonstrated good moral character, he or she could then apply for U.S. citizenship. More information about the DREAM Act can be found on the DREAM Act Portal. Why Support the DREAM Act? Here are some of the points supporters of the DREAM Act make to justify it: These young immigrants are blameless for their current predicament. They were brought here at a young age by their parents and had no say in the matter. It makes no sense and is morally wrong to punish them for the offenses of their parents. The government should treat them as victims, not offenders. The country has already made a substantial investment in many of these young immigrants and it would be senseless to throw that away. Most of them have attended public schools. They have earned high school diplomas in the public system. Many have benefited from public healthcare and some from other public assistance. The government could get a return from these investments by allowing them to contribute to the U.S. economy and society. Many have completed high school but cannot attend college because of their undocumented status. Studies show DREAM Act immigrants could provide a powerful boost to the U.S. economy.Many of the typical complaints about immigrants don’t apply to these young people. Most are as American as the native-born citizens around them. They speak English, understand American life and culture, and they are fully assimilated. They tend to be highly motivated and prepared to accept the responsibilities of U.S. citizenship.DREAM Act legislation could transform this lost generation of young people into U.S. taxpayers. Even some conservative Republicans such as former Texas Gov. Rick Perry support the DREAM Act because it would make these immigrants taxpayers who contribute to the economy, instead of people forced to live unproductive lives in the shadows of a nation that won’t acknowledge them. â€Å"Are we going to create a class of tax wasters or are we going to create taxpayers?† Perry said. â€Å"Texas chose the latter. Every state has the freedom to make that decision.†Bringing these young immigrants out of the shadows would enhance national security. As long as the government considers them here illegally, they will not come forward. National security is strengthened when everyone in the country lives openly and contributes to society. To take advantage of the DREAM Act, young immigrants would be required to pass background checks and give their addresses and contact information to the government.Giving legal status to these young immigrants through the DREAM Act would not cost the government. In fact, the fees immigration officials could charge applicants could more than cover the administrative costs of running the program. Former President Barack Obama’s deferred action, DREAM Act alternative program already uses fees to cover its costs.Many of the eligible young immigrants are willing to give public service to the country, either through the U.S. military or non-profit enterprises. The DREAM Act could be the catalyst for a wave of service and social activism across the country. Young immigrants are eager to contribute their time and energy to a nation that embraces them.The DREAM Act is in keeping with the United States’ heritage as a nation that treats immigrants fairly and makes special efforts to reach out to young people. American tradition as a sanctuary for exiles dictates that we allow these innocent immigrants a chance to move on with their lives and not cast them as refugees without a homeland.

George Bush as a Machiavellian Leader Essay - 1428 Words

George Bush as a Machiavellian Leader George Bush and Niccolo Machiavelli are two very influential political figures that share some similar ideals. Machiavellis work was never intended to be applied to republics, or a democratic government. The advice written in The Prince would have likely been applied in the time of absolute government, when countries were ruled by one leader. It is a work which, as Machiavelli himself says that his philosophy is only applied to principalities, or what we call dictatorships in modern times. Elected from the state of Texas, George Bush is a strictly right-winged conservative. When he was governor, Bush showed no clemency for the death row inmates which resulted in a record number of†¦show more content†¦And in case you missed the message, Russia has also agreed to supply advanced surface-to-air missiles to Syria, the latest focus of U.S. ire in the Middle East — again in defiance of Washingtons stated wishes (Karon).† Presently, the United States, Great Britain, Germany, France, India, and China have or can develop devastating nuclear bombs. Nuclear bombs can cause unfathomable destruction of land and people. North Korea and Iran, the two very radical countries appear to be on the verge of making nuclear bombs. Mr. Bush on his recent trip to Europe tried to rally support from major leaders to stop selling nuclear material and secrets to these two states. His opposition of nuclear energy in the hands of dictators is for the common good of America and other countries. It may not be fair or equitable to keep the nuclear energy away from a certain group or state, but the result is focused mainly on the security for the rest of the world. Machiavelli also wrote how to govern dominions that are being occupied by people that live under their own laws and values. His first edict reflects the Bush Administration’s actions and decisions on how to spread democracy in Iraq: â€Å"When those states which have been acquired are accustomed to live at liberty under their own laws, there are three ways of holding them. The first is to despoil them; the second is to go and live there in person; the third is toShow MoreRelatedGeorge W. Bush s President Of Texas1685 Words   |  7 PagesBorn in July 6, 1946, George W. Bush, America’s 43rd president, served in the White House office from 2001 to 2009. Before coming into the White House, he was the oldest son of former 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush, who was also a two-term Republican governor of the state of Texas. George W. Bush was a graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business majoring in business administration. George W. Bush worked in the Texas oil industry and he was also an owner of the Texas Rangers baseballRead MoreAmerican Government in Contrast to Lao-Tzu and Machiavelli Essay832 Words   |  4 Pagescomparison and application into American life. Niccolo Machiavelli believes in a strong government. The leader should be strong and feared. I believe he gets this idea from the fear of God; no one is supposed to question God because he is so feared, and in the same sense, no one should question a strong leader. Machiavelli realizes that the leader should be feared, but not hated. A hated leader will probably be killed in a rebellion. One also can not be loved. Any compassion towards your citizensRead MoreEssay about Machiavelli and War on Terror1100 Words   |  5 Pagesterrorist attempts believed to be caused by Al-Qaeda, the conflict culminated with the attacks on the Twin Towers and pentagon on September 11, 2001. The attacks against the United States caused an international domino effect of support. President Bush declared war on September 12, NATO pledged its full support by October 2 and the U.N. condemned the attacks and called for international support against the perpetrators. Finally, on October 7, 2001, the Un ited States and Britain began airstrikesRead MoreJefferson vs. Macheveli1719 Words   |  7 Pagesthoughts on how a government should run. On how the government should function. From the rule of the government the rule of the people. However Machiavellis essay is more cynical, while on the other hand Jefferson is more logical. We might live in a Machiavellian world but it all depends on what people believe in. Personally I believe that Machiavellis philosophy is cynical compared to Jefferson, Therefore I believe more in Jeffersons piece which is far more realistic although Machiavelli still catchesRead MoreGeorge Tenet and the Last Great Days of the Cia1551 Words   |  7 PagesGeorge Tenet and the Last Great Days of the CIA George Tenet was the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1997-2004. He was good at what he did; he was so good that he was asked to stay on as the Director of the CIA when President Bush won the Presidency. The one thing Tenet experienced with the Bush administration that he did not experience with the Clinton Administration is he became part of the President’s inner circle. Once George Tenet experiencedRead MoreVladimir Putin and Machiavellis The Prince2685 Words   |  11 Pagesthe rule of Vladimir Putin in Russia. Putin’s leadership style and actions make him a modern day Machiavellian prince. Many of the actions and polices taken by Putin are distinctly Machiavellian in nature. Putin’s foreign policy and behavior on the international stage parallels the key ideas of The Prince. Putin has shown that he knows when to use hard power, and when not to. Just as a true Machiavellian should. Over the course of his time in power Vladimir Putin has b een able to build and maintainRead MoreSun Tzu On Nature And Character Of 21st Century Warfare2528 Words   |  11 Pagesterrorist attacks on U.S., and the resultant political and military objectives espoused by President Bush during his address to the joint session of the 107th Congress on 20 September, 2001. President George W. Bush declared â€Å"our war on terror begins with Al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated,†5 Bush described Al Qaeda as â€Å"heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century,† and warned â€Å"AmericansRead More The Bush Administrations Relation With Iraq Prior to Iraqs Invasion of Kuwait4315 Words   |  18 Pages The Bush Administrations Relation With Iraq Prior to Iraqs Invasion of Kuwait Prior to the August 2, 1990 invasion of Kuwait on the part of Iraq, the United States had questionable relations with Iraq dictator, Saddam Hussein, to say the least. In retrospect, which is inherently advantageous as a 20/20 perspective, questions remain unanswered as to whether or not the United States was too appeasing to Saddam Hussein in the years, months, and days leading up to that early August morningRead MorePower Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely2410 Words   |  10 Pagesessay I will discuss my own opinion on this topic looking at crucial figure heads in history, Hitler, Gandhi and more recent activities within politics. I will also explore the opinions of noted writers on this subject focusing on â€Å"Animal Farm† by George Orwell among other things which highlight my debate. â€Å"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men† is a famous statement from historian and moralist John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton. PowerRead MoreHow Politics Should Be Viewed By Chris Matthews7512 Words   |  31 Pageschanged my perspective on how politics should be perceived and how to win within the political world through the â€Å"hardball† (13) way. â€Å"Hardball† (13) is an idea how politicians could win and gain highest political status through â€Å"clean, aggressive Machiavellian politics† (13). I have originally viewed the book as uninteresting because I had lacked knowledge about politics in general. However, Chris Matthews had made the book engrossing on how he described politics should be looked up and utilized within

Success in Life Is a Result from Carefull Planning free essay sample

Success in life is a result from careful planning. Some people think that success in life can be achieved from many ways. Some people believe that success comes from taking risks and chances and others believe that success is the result of careful planning. I believe that success comes from careful planning because people can predict problems, which allows them to prepare, and goals can be made more clearly defined. One reason is that careful planning is a better method of achieving success because through this method, people can foresee some of the difficulties that they may run up against during the course of their work, and minimize the risk of failure. By being able to predict these problems, they will be better prepared to deal with them. For example, if I am planning to expand my own business, it is beneficial for me to sit down and consider what kinds of problems I may face and how to solve these problems ahead. We will write a custom essay sample on Success in Life Is a Result from Carefull Planning or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page By carefully planning the new plan, it is more likely to be a successful experience. Therefore, when people make a detailed map for success, they can minimize the risk of failure and have more control of their future. Another reason why careful planning is the result of the success is because for planning targeted clear goals are set, which can be used as road map for success. For example someone wanting to complete master degree while working they will plan way in advance when and what classes to take so they can successfully complete the degree program. A lot of people have dreams of success in their lives, but they go about trying to reach their dreams by taking risk or change by situations comes, and they do not know which direction they are going. After some time they lose hope, which causes them to lose motivation towards reaching their goals. However, if people have a clear idea of what to do in order to reach their goals, they will be better motivated because they will expect setbacks and difficulties, but know that they can still achieve success. Without sufficient motivation, goals are reached more slowly, if at all. In conclusion, I believe that careful planning is a better way to go because through careful planning can make allowances for problems before they come up, and they can establish a clear road to success.

The consultants duty

As a primary consultant, of the company one should stay and see the recommendations of the project improvement plan at end. The consultant’s duty is to ensure that the proposals he is making for the company are good and can help the company improve their projects.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The consultant’s duty specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He or she has to be there to oversee the implementation of the proposals and then weigh the outcomes to see if they are the ones he was expecting. In this case, therefore, the primary consultant has to stay in the company until the proposals he has are implemented and the outcomes of the proposals evaluated. The consultant will have to change his relationship with the team he or she is working with, and develop a collaborative relationship where the team members do not rely on him to do everything. As the consultant, I have to act as the team leader and treat the others in the team as associates. They have to contribute to the project by sharing ideas and making recommendations, ( Garner, 2004). The consultant should recommend the systems thinking project as a change program in the company in order to improve their design and development projects. The system thinking is necessary in inter-relating the different parts of the organization to work as a unit. The system will help the organization to interrelate with each other especially the tram the consultant is working with and the president of the company. The system will also help the company work together as a group and help them have common goals and objectives. The consultant can do this by advising the team to utilize communication and come together to create a common vision and objectives. The organization development can provide a more accurate solution to an internal primary consultant than an external primary consultant can. The reason for this is that the organization dev elopment acting as, a primary consultant is aware of the root problems of the company and how best to handle colleagues, (Tonge, 1986). His work will be more efficient and effective because he can design a proposal that is more realistic than that of an external consultant. This is because he knows the strength and weaknesses of his team than the external consultant does and knows how to control them. The OD partners with the team and provides a plan to initiate learning and change in the daily operations of the company. To make the relationship between me and the other team members independent, I will have to change the rules and procedures we use when designing the proposal. To do this, I will have to concentrate on the job and stop using casual language when we are doing the job than we were doing before.Advertising Looking for essay on labor law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This will change the perspective that the tea m members have of me. The other thing is to be strict with them and delegate duties to them. Delegating duties will make them responsible as they have to submit their work at a given time. After implementing the changes, I will wait and see whether they will still be casual with me and whether they are doing the different tasks I gave them, (Gray, 2004). Consulting groups should work in any project that help the client improve the management of their company. The job they take should be related to their specialization. The amount of pay should be directly proportional to the work they are doing. This depends on the kind of work they are doing and the time they spend in the organization. References Garner, R. (2004). The service consultant: working in an automotive facility. Chicago: Cengage Learning. Gray, D.(2004). Start and Run a Profitable Consulting Business. California: Kogan Page Publishers. Tonge, R. (1986). How To Become A Successful Consultant In Your Own. Carolina: Gull Pu blishing. This essay on The consultant’s duty was written and submitted by user Raymond S. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Facts and History of Kuwait

Facts and History of Kuwait Kuwaits government is a constitutional monarchy headed by the hereditary leader, the emir.  The Kuwaiti emir is a member of the Al Sabah family, which has ruled the country since 1938; the current monarch is Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The capital of Kuwait is Kuwait City, with a population 151,000 and with a metro area population of 2.38 million.   Population According to the US Central Intelligence Agency, the total population of Kuwait is about 2.695 million, which includes 1.3 million non-nationals.  Kuwaits government, however, maintains that there are 3.9 million people in Kuwait, of whom 1.2 million are Kuwaiti.   Among the actual Kuwaiti citizens, approximately 90% are Arabs and 8% are of Persian (Iranian) descent.  There are also a small number of Kuwaiti citizens whose ancestors came from India. Within the guest worker and expatriate communities, Indians make up the largest group at nearly 600,000.  There are an estimated 260,000 workers from Egypt, and 250,000 from Pakistan.  Other foreign nationals in Kuwait include Syrians, Iranians, Palestinians, Turks, and smaller numbers of Americans and Europeans. Languages Kuwaits official language is Arabic.  Many Kuwaitis speak the local dialect of Arabic, which is an amalgam of Mesopotamian Arabic of the southern Euphrates branch, and Peninsular Arabic, which is the variant most common on the Arabian Peninsula.  Kuwaiti Arabic also includes many loan words from Indian languages and from English.  English is the most commonly used foreign language for business and commerce. Religion Islam is the official religion of Kuwait.  Approximately 85% of Kuwaitis are Muslim; of that number, 70% are Sunni and 30% are Shia, mostly of the Twelver school.  Kuwait has tiny minorities of other religions among its citizens, as well.  There are about 400 Christian Kuwaitis, and about 20 Kuwaiti Bahais.   Among the guest workers and ex-pats, approximately 600,000 are Hindu, 450,000 are Christian, 100,000 are Buddhist, and about 10,000 are Sikhs.  The remainder are Muslim.  Because they are People of the Book, Christians in Kuwait are allowed to build churches and keep a certain number of clergy, but proselytizing is forbidden.  Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists are not allowed to build temples or gurdwaras. Geography Kuwait is a small country, with an area of 17,818 sq km (6,880 sq miles); in comparative terms, it is slightly smaller than the island nation of Fiji.  Kuwait has about 500 kilometers (310 miles) of coastline along the Persian Gulf.  It borders on Iraq to the north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the south. The Kuwaiti landscape is a flat desert plain.  Only 0.28% of the land is planted in permanent crops, in this case, date palms.  The country has a total of 86 square miles of irrigated cropland. Kuwaits highest point doesnt have any particular name, but it stands 306 meters (1,004 feet) above sea level.   Climate Kuwaits climate is a desert one, characterized by hot summer temperatures, a short, cool winter, and minimal rainfall.  Annual rainfall averages between 75 and 150 mm (2.95 to 5.9 inches).  Average high temperatures in the summer are a toasty 42 to 48 °C (107.6 to 118.4 °F).  The all-time high, recorded on July 31, 2012, was 53.8 °C (128.8 °F), measured at Sulaibya.  This is also the record high for the entire Middle East. March and April often witness large dust storms, which sweep in on the northwesterly winds from Iraq.  Thunderstorms also accompany the winter rains in November and December. Economy Kuwait is the fifth richest country on Earth, with a GDP of $165.8 billion US, or $42,100 US per capita.  Its economy is based primarily on petroleum exports, with the major recipients being Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, and China.  Kuwait also produces fertilizers and other petrochemicals, engages in financial services, and maintains an ancient tradition of pearl diving in the Persian Gulf.  Kuwait imports almost all of its food, as well as most products from clothing to machinery.   Kuwaits economy is quite free, compared with its Middle Eastern neighbors.  The government is hoping to encourage the tourism and regional trade sectors to reduce the countrys dependence on oil exports for income.  Kuwait has known oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (2011 estimate).  The government does not release figures for percent of the population living in poverty. The countrys currency is the Kuwaiti dinar.  As of March 2014, 1 Kuwaiti dinar $3.55 US. History During ancient history, the area that is now Kuwait was often a hinterland of more powerful neighboring areas.  It was linked with Mesopotamia as early as the Ubaid era, beginning roughly 6,500 BCE, and with Sumer around 2,000 BCE.   In the interim, between about 4,000 and 2,000 BCE, a local empire called the Dilmun Civilization controlled the bay of Kuwait, from which it directed trade between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley civilization in what is now Pakistan.  After Dilmun collapsed, Kuwait became part of the Babylonian Empire around 600 BCE.  Four hundred years later, the Greeks under Alexander the Great colonized the area. The Sassanid Empire of Persia conquered Kuwait in 224 CE.  In 636 CE, the Sassanids fought and lost the Battle of Chains in Kuwait, against the armies of a new faith that had arisen on the Arabian Peninsula.  It was the first move in Islams rapid expansion in Asia.  Under the caliphs rule, Kuwait once again became a major trading port connected to the Indian Ocean trade routes. When the Portuguese muscled their way into the Indian Ocean in the fifteenth century, they seized a number of trading ports including the bay of Kuwait.  Meanwhile, the Bani Khalid clan founded what is now Kuwait City in 1613, as a series of small fishing villages.  Soon Kuwait was not only a major trade hub but also a legendary fishing and pearl diving site.  It traded with various parts of the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century and became a shipbuilding center. In 1775, the Zand Dynasty of Persia laid siege to Basra (in coastal southern Iraq) and occupied the city.  This lasted until 1779 and greatly benefited Kuwait, as all of Basras trade got diverted to Kuwait instead.  Once the Persians withdrew, the Ottomans appointed a governor for Basra, who also administered Kuwait.  In 1896, tensions between Basra and Kuwait reached a peak, when the sheik of Kuwait accused his brother, the emir of Iraq, of seeking to annex Kuwait. In January 1899, the Kuwaiti sheik, Mubarak the Great, made an agreement with the British under which Kuwait became an informal British protectorate, with Britain controlling its foreign policy.  In exchange, Britain held off both the Ottomans and the Germans from interfering in Kuwait.  However, in 1913, Britain signed the Anglo-Ottoman Convention just before the outbreak of World War I, which defined Kuwait as an autonomous region within the Ottoman Empire, and the Kuwaiti sheiks as Ottoman sub-governors.   Kuwaits economy went into a tailspin in the 1920s and 1930s.  However, oil was discovered in 1938, with its promise of future petrol-riches.  First, however, Britain took direct control of Kuwait and Iraq on June 22, 1941, as World War II erupted in its full fury.  Kuwait would not gain full independence from the British until June 19, 1961. During the Iran/Iraq War of 1980-88, Kuwait supplied Iraq with massive amounts of aid, fearful of Irans influence after the Islamic Revolution of 1979.  In retaliation, Iran attacked Kuwaiti oil tankers, until the US Navy intervened.  Despite this earlier support for Iraq, on August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein ordered the invasion and annexation of Kuwait.  Iraq claimed that Kuwait was actually a rogue Iraqi province; in response, a US-led coalition launched the First Gulf War and ousted Iraq.   Retreating Iraqi troops took revenge by setting fire to Kuwaits oil wells, creating enormous environmental problems.  The emir and the Kuwaiti government returned to Kuwait City in March of 1991 and instituted unprecedented political reforms, including parliamentary elections in 1992.  Kuwait also served as the launchpad for the US-led invasion of Iraq in March of 2003, at the start of the Second Gulf War.