Content-Type: text/html
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]?, [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]?