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

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

• 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