My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE
21 00 N, 57 00 E
Area: 
total: 309,500 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
70
land: 309,500 sq km
water: 0 sq km
slightly smaller than Kansas
total: 1,374 km
border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
2,092 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Current Weather
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas
arable land: 0.12%
permanent crops: 0.14%
other: 99.74% (2005)
720 sq km (2003)
1 cu km (1997)
total: 1.36 cu km/yr (7%/2%/90%)
per capita: 529 cu m/yr (2000)
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural fresh water resources
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
