|
| 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
|
| 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
|
| Geography - note: |
strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
|
|
|
|
