Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian
Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Middle East

total: 82,880 sq km
land: 82,880 sq km
water: 0 sq km

slightly smaller than Maine

total: 867 km
border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

1,318 km

contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of
vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

petroleum, natural gas

arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 98% (1993 est.)

50 sq km (1993 est.)

frequent sand and dust storms

lack of natural freshwater resources
being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach
pollution from oil spills

party to: Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Biodiversity, Law of the Sea

strategic location along southern approaches to
Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil