island of Kuwait, lying in the Persian Gulf near the entrance to Kuwait Bay; it has an area of 15 square miles (39 square km). 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.