Kuwait: Background & Geography
| Introduction | Kuwait |
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Background:
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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. |
| Geography | Kuwait |
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Location:
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Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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29 30 N, 45 45 E |
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Map references:
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Middle East |
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Area:
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total: 17,820 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 17,820 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than New Jersey |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 462 km
border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km |
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Coastline:
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499 km |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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territorial sea: 12 NM |
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Climate:
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dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters |
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Terrain:
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flat to slightly undulating desert plain |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 306 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0.34%
permanent crops: 0.06% other: 99.6% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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60 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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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 |
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Environment - current issues:
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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 |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location at head of Persian Gulf |