The State of Kuwait (Arabic: الكويت ) is a small constitutional monarchy on the coast of the Persian Gulf, enclosed by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and west. The name is a diminutive of an Arabic word meaning "fortress built near water."

Kuwait consists mostly of desert and little difference in altitude. It has nine islands, the largest one being Bubiyan, which is linked to the mainland by a concrete bridge. (Following Kuwait's liberation in 1991, the island was converted to a military base from which civilians are barred.) The islands are Auhah Island, Bubiyan Island, Failaka Island, Kubbar Island, Miskan Island Qaruh Island, Umm al Maradim Island, Umm an Namil Island and Warbah Island.