The Country The total area of the State of Kuwait is 17,818 sq kms (6969 square miles). Kuwait's desert plain slopes gradually from the west, where it reaches 300m above sea-level, to the Gulf's shores. A number of discontinuities occur on the form of low depressions, sand dunes and escarpments. These include Al-Liyah, Kura Al-Maru, Shagaat Al-Jleeb, and Afrie which forms a ridge at Jal al-Zor (145 meters high), cut by the Umm al-Ramam wadi. The southern part of Kuwait is generally flat, with the exception of the slight rise of ground around Ahmadi whose low hill reaches just 137m above sea level. The Kuwait mainland, having no mountains or rivers or other natural features, was for a long time a transit area for nomadic tribes and caravans. Such freedom of movement made delineation of borders rather difficult and resulted in some border problems. The whole matter was amicably resolved following the creation of the Neutral Zone between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 7 July 1965. The northern part of the partitioned zone is administered by Kuwait, whilst the southern part is the administrative responsibility of Saudi Arabia. The crude oil extracted from the partitioned zone is shared equally by both countries. Kuwait has nine islands off its coast, i.e Failaka, Bubiyan, Miskan, Warba, Auhha, Umm al-Maradim, Umm al-Nmal, Kubbar and Qaruh. Bubiyan is the largest island (863 sq kms) and is connected to the mainland by a steel bridge. Warba, located at the northern extremity of the Gulf, occupies an area of 37 sq kms. Miskan lies to the north of Failaka island while Auhha is to Failaka's south. Umm al-Naml is in the mouth of Kuwait bay and has a rich Islamic history. Kubbar, Qaruh, and Umm al-Maradim are situated towards the southern section of Kuwait's territorial waters. The island of Failaka, which is pronounced "Failacha" in the local dialect, is the most attractive and well known of Kuwait's islands.

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