Geography of the United Arab Emirates
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area:
total:
82,880 kmē
land:
82,880 kmē
water:
0 kmē
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
total:
867 km
border countries:
Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline: 1,318 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone:
24 nautical miles
continental shelf:
200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone:
200 nautical miles
territorial sea:
12 nautical miles
Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point:
Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
2%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
98% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 50 kmē (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms
Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Law of the Sea
Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
- See also : United Arab Emirates
