Geography of Kuwait
This article describes the geography of Kuwait.
- Location:
- Southwest Asia, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the so-called "Cradle of Humanity."
- Geographic coordinates:
- 29° 30′ N, 45° 45′ E
- Map references:
- Southwest Asia
- Area:
- Total: 17,820 km²
- Land: 17,820 km²
- Water: 0 km²
- Area--comparative:
- Slightly smaller than New Jersey
- Land boundaries:
- Coastline:
- 499 km
- Maritime claims:
- 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 km² (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
See also: Kuwait
