Kuwait:
Geography

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Other pages in this profile of Kuwait:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition Britain oversaw foreign relations and defense for the ruling Kuwaiti AL-SABAH dynasty from 1899 until independence in 1961. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led, UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91. The AL-SABAH family has ruled since returning to power in 1991 and reestablished an elected legislature that in recent years has become increasingly assertive.

Location	Definition Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates	Definition 29 30 N, 45 45 E
Map references	Definition Middle East
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 17,820 sq km land: 17,820 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries	Definition total: 462 km border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Coastline	Definition 499 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate	Definition dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters
Terrain	Definition flat to slightly undulating desert plain
Elevation extremes	Definition lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m
Natural resources	Definition petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 0.84% permanent crops: 0.17% other: 98.99% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition 130 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources	Definition 0.02 cu km (1997)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)	Definition total: 0.44 cu km/yr (45%/2%/52%) per capita: 164 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards	Definition sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and 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	Definition 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	Definition party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping
Geography - note	Definition strategic location at head of Persian Gulf