Short facts about the geography of Kuwait

Location:

Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:

29 30 N, 45 45 E

Map references:

Middle East

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:  464 km border countries:  Iraq 242 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% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  8% forests and woodland:  0% other:  92% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they bring inordinate amounts of 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:  Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified:  Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Geography - note:

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Source: World Factbook