Bubiyan Island: A desolate, shifting delta landscape at the heart of geopolitical tension

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Spanning 863 square kilometers, Bubiyan is the largest island in Kuwait’s coastal chain. Formed by sediment from the Tigris-Euphrates river, this low-lying, uninhabited expanse of salt marshes and mudflats serves as a critical ecological sanctuary and a strategic focal point for international infrastructure projects and historical territorial disputes.

Bubiyan Island sits at the northwestern corner of the Persian Gulf, defined by its flat, marshy terrain and intermittent wadis. Unlike its neighbor Faylakah Island, Bubiyan remains uninhabited, characterized by deep indentations of swampland and mudflats that are frequently encroached upon by seawater during high spring tides. Its formation is a direct result of sediment accumulation from the Tigris-Euphrates river system, creating a delta environment that has hosted human presence as far back as the Sasanian period, as evidenced by archaeological pottery finds.

The island’s strategic location has made it a recurring point of contention. Iraq maintained a long-standing claim to the territory, which was only formally resolved in the 1990s through United Nations Security Council resolutions. During the 1991 Gulf War, the island was repurposed as a military base, and its infrastructure, including a bridge connecting it to the mainland, suffered damage. Today, the island is undergoing a massive transformation as part of Kuwait’s development goals, specifically the Mubarak Al Kabeer Port project, which is integrated into China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Beyond its geopolitical significance, Bubiyan is a vital ecological hub. The Mubarak al-Kabeer reserve, designated as a Wetland of International Importance, provides a crucial stop-over for migratory birds traveling between Eurasia, Africa, and India. It hosts the world’s largest breeding colony of the crab-plover. As the island faces the dual threats of sea-level rise and environmental sensitivity, it remains a complex intersection of ancient history, modern infrastructure, and fragile natural heritage.

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