Part 405

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a black trapezoid based on the hoist side

Geography ---------

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

Geographic coordinates: 29 30 N, 45 45 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total area: 17,820 sq km land area: 17,820 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 464 km border countries: Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

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 lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: unnamed location 306 m

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 dust storms 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Marine Dumping

Geographic note: strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

People ------

Population: 1,950,047 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 33% (male 334,778; female 317,241) 15-64 years: 65% (male 757,535; female 507,064) 65 years and over: 2% (male 18,459; female 14,970) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 6.65% (1996 est.) note: this rate reflects the continued post-Gulf crisis return of nationals and expatriates

Birth rate: 20.28 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 2.2 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 48.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.49 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/female all ages: 1.32 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.92 years male: 73.59 years female: 78.38 years (1996 est.)