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 Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
24 00 N, 54 00 E
Area: 
total: 83,600 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
114
land: 83,600 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
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Current Weather
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: 0.77%
permanent crops: 2.27%
other: 96.96% (2005)
760 sq km (2003)
0.2 cu km (1997)
total: 2.3 cu km/yr (23%/9%/68%)
per capita: 511 cu m/yr (2000)
frequent sand and dust storms
lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
