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:
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:
0.34%
permanent crops:
0.06%
other:
99.6% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April; they 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:
Climate Change, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Geography - note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf