Kuwait           Introduction        

Background:        Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq on 2 August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault on 23 February 1991 that completely liberated Kuwait in four days. Kuwait has spent more than $5 billion to repair oil infrastructure damaged during 1990-91.

Kuwait           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:  17,820 sq km

land:  17,820 sq km

water:  0 sq km

Area - comparative:        slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:         total:  464 km

border countries:  Iraq 242 km, Saudi Arabia 222 km

Coastline:         499 km