Coastline: 499 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: in November 1994, Iraq formally accepted the UN-demarcated border with Kuwait which had been spelled out in Security Council Resolutions 687 (1991), 773 (1993), and 883 (1993); this formally ends earlier claims to Kuwait and to Bubiyan and Warbah islands; 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: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 8% forest and woodland: 0% other: 92%
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1989 est.)
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
natural hazards: sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April,
they bring inordinate amounts of rain which can damage roads and
houses; sandstorms and duststorms occur throughout the year, but are
most common between March and August
international agreements: party to - Climate Change, Environmental
Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Biodiversity,
Endangered Species, Marine Dumping
Note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf