Total area: 17,820 km2
land area: 17,820 km2

Comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: 462 km total
Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline: 499 km

Maritime claims: Continental shelf: not specific
Territorial sea: 12 nm

Disputes: Iraqi forces invaded and occupied Kuwait from 2 August 1990 until 27 February 1991; in April 1991 official Iraqi acceptance of UN Security Council Resolution 687, which demands that Iraq accept its internationally recognized border with Kuwait, ended earlier claims to Bubiyan and Warbah Islands or to all of Kuwait; ownership of Qaruh and Umm al Maradim Islands disputed by Saudi Arabia

Climate: dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters

Terrain: flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Natural resources: petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Land use: arable land NEGL%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 8%; forest and woodland NEGL%; other 92%; includes irrigated NEGL%

Environment: some of world's largest and most sophisticated desalination facilities provide most of water; air and water pollution; desertification

Note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

NOTE: The information regarding Kuwait on this page is re-published from the 1991 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Kuwait Geography 1991 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Kuwait Geography 1991 should be addressed to the CIA.