Location
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf,
between Iraq and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates
29 30 N, 45 45 E

Area
Total: 17,820 sq km
Comparative: slightly smaller
than New Jersey

Land boundaries
Total: 462 km
Border countries: Iraq 240 km,
Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline
499 km

Climate
Dry desert; intensely hot
summers; short, cool winters

Terrain
Flat to slightly undulating desert plain

Elevation extremes
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: unnamed location 306 m

Natural resources
Petroleum, fish, shrimp, natural gas

Population
2,111,561
(note: includes 1,159,913 non-nationals (July 2002 est.))

Ethnic groups
Kuwaiti 45%, other Arab 35%,
South Asian 9%, Iranian 4%, other 7%

Religions
Muslim 85% (Sunni 70%, Shi'a 30%),
Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%

Languages
Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Government type
Nominal constitutional monarchy

Capital
Kuwait

Military branches
Army, Navy, Air Force
(including Air Defense Force),
National Police Force,
National Guard, Coast Guard

Military manpower
Availability: males age 15-49:
812,059 (2002 est.)
Fit for military service: males age 15-49: 486,906 (2002 est.)

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $1,967,300,000 (FY01)
(note: Kuwait is changing its fiscal year;
the above figure is for July-March 2001;
future budget years will be April-March annually)
Percent of GDP: 5.5% (FY01)