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The
State of Kuwait is an independent emirate situated in the northwest
corner of the Arabian Gulf, between Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Its land
area is almost 18,000 square kilometres, and territorial waters
cover about 5,500 square kilometres. The largest offshore islands
are Bubiyan, Warba and Failaka; there are a few smaller ones.
The land slopes, mostly gradually, from the gulf in
the east up to about 300 metres in the western corner. There is one
escarpment at Jal Az-Zour and some minor hillocks in the southeast,
but most of the land is flat. There are no natural
rivers, but a few wadis, notably Wadi Al-Batin along the northwest
border and the Wadi Ar-Rimam systems in the National Park. Most
drainage is internal, resulting in a salinated soil. There are two
short khors (inlets) in the southeast. Where grazing is
prevented, the climax vegetation is that of steppe or savannah, with
perennial salt-bushes and occasional acacia and prosopis trees. Near
the shores and in the sabkha areas are halophytic plants. The
blooming of ephemeral plants in the spring is dependent on adequate
rainfall in the preceding
winter. |
MODERN KUWAIT |
Prolonged overgrazing
has exposed, in many areas, clayey, sandy and gravelly soil with some
low outcrops of sandstone and limestone. There are extensive mudflats,
especially in Kuwait and Sulaibikhat Bays and around Bubiyan Island.
Natural oases occur at Abdali, Jahra, Wafra, Al-Abraq and other
places, where small, tree-sheltered fields are irrigated by wells and
tanks and support various traditional crops. Modern greenhouse systems
are extensively used in some of these areas. Sewage outflows feed
reedbeds, pools and marshy areas at Jahra, Doha and Ras Al-Zour.
There is extensive planting of trees, shrubs and herbs along urban
roads and in various 'regional parks'. Many villas, town parks and
other areas support a variety of plants, so that many urban areas are
quite green. The human population is concentrated in the
cities of Kuwait, Jahra and Ahmadi near the gulf, so that most of the
rest of the state is open. However, various oilfields are fenced off,
and the Demilitarised Zone and Bubiyan and Warba Islands have
restricted access. Although Kuwait is a small state with no
spectacular scenery or habitats, it has a fairly rich avifauna. It is
situated at a crossroads of various migration routes, so most species
recorded are passing through. Various seabirds nest on offshore
islands, and a surprising number of species breed, or are regularly
found, in the reedbeds and marshy areas. Visiting birders
require sponsorship by a Kuwaiti resident or hotel; consultation with
the local Kuwait embassy is recommended. Expatriate residence requires
fairly extensive paperwork and other procedures. Once this is done,
however, living in Kuwait is relatively easy and trouble-free. Modern
facilities are everywhere, but it is a 'dry' country, and local
customs should be respected. | |
OLD FLAG OF KUWAIT
SHAIKH'S
PALACE-1909
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