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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:
  • 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:
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:
Signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
; Geography--note:
Strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

See also: Kuwait