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, 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
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