Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
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| 29 30 N, 45 45 E |
Total: 17,820 sq km
Land: 17,820 sq km
Water: 0 sq km |
| Slightly smaller than New Jersey |
Total: 462 km
Border countries: Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km |
| 499 km |
| Territorial sea: 12 nm |
| Dry desert; intensely hot summers; short, cool winters |
| Flat to slightly undulating desert plain |
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: unnamed location 306 m |
| Petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas |
Arable land: 0.84%
Permanent crops: 0.17%
Other: 98.99% (2005) |
| 130 sq km (2003) |
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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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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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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| Strategic location at head of Persian Gulf |