GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi
Arabia
Map
references: Middle East
Area:
total area: 17,820 sq
km
land area: 17,820 sq
km
comparative
area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Cities:Capital-Kuwait (pop. about 700,000). Other towns-Ahmadi,
Jahra, Fahaheel.
Terrain:Flat to slightly undulating desert plain.
Climate:Intensely hot and dry in summers; short, cool winters
with limited rain.
Land
boundaries: total 464 km, Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline:
499 km
Maritime claims:
territorial
sea: 12 nm
International
disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated
border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council
Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally
ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands;
ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim islands disputed by Saudi
Arabia
Climate:
dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain:
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Natural
resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures:
8%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
92%
Irrigated
land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
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
natural
hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April,
they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and
houses; sandstorms and duststorms occur throughout the year, but
are most common between March and August
international
agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer
Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity, Endangered
Species, Marine Dumping
Note:
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
