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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:
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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: 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
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Geography - note:
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strategic location at head of Persian Gulf
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