FAYLAKAH

island of Kuwait, lying in the Persian Gulf near the entrance to Kuwait Bay; it is 15 sq mi (39 sq km) in area. Inhabited since prehistoric times, it is important archaeologically, remains of human habitation from as early as 2500 BC having been found there. A museum has been built near the ruins of a Greek temple. Most of the people live in the village of az-Zawr, on the island's northwestern tip. Fishing and labouring in the archaeological diggings are the principal occupations, but the island has also become a resort. Pop. (1980) 4,845.