Kuwait Geography:
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references:
Area:
total:
17,820 sq km
land:
17,820 sq km
water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
total: 462 km
border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline:
499 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
Dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain:
Flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources:
Petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0.73%
permanent crops: 0.11%
other: 99.16%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
60 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
Sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August
Environment - current issues:
Limited natural fresh water resources; some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide much of the water; air and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
Strategic location at head of Persian Gulf |
