Geography & environment — Kuwait
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Kuwait: Middle East
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Middle East
- Geographic Coordinates
29 30 N, 45 45 E
- Total Area
6,880 Square Miles 17,818 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
6,880 Square Miles 17,818 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
287 Miles 462 Kilometers
- Border Countries
Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
- Coastline
310 Miles 499 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
- Highest Point
306 Meters
- Highest Point Location
unnamed location 306 m
- Lowest Point Location
Persian Gulf 0 m
- Natural Resources
petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas
- Irrigated Land
33 Square Miles 86 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC,during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
The country is a sandy, riverless desert interspersed with small hills. Vegetation is sparse. Kuwait's climate is typical of the region. Summer (April-October) temperatures often exceed 120°F, although daytime temperatures of 110-115°F are more common. Mean annual rainfall is 45 inches and occurs mostly during December and January. Short autumn and spring seasons (November, February, and March) are delightful. During winter (December and January), clear, sunny days are common, but it is often cold enough to require a light winter coat in the mornings and evenings. In the early morning the frost point is occasionally reached. Sand and dust storms occur throughout the year, especially between March and August. Periods of high humidity occur, but during the hottest months (June, July, and August), humidity levels usually remain very low.
- Terrain
flat to slightly undulating desert plain
- Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia
- Total Area
6,880 Square Miles 17,818 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
Iraq 240 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km
Environment
- 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: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed,
- but not ratified: Marine Dumping