town and muḥāfaẓah (governorate) in central Kuwait. Located about 30 mi (50 km) west of Kuwait city, the oasis town is the capital of the muḥāfaẓah. It is the centre of the country's principal agricultural region, producing primarily fruits and vegetables. Al-Jahra muḥāfaẓah is 4,315 sq mi (11,176 sq km) in area. Although it comprises about two-thirds of the area of Kuwait, most of the muḥāfaẓah is sparsely populated desert. Pop. (1980), town, 67,311; muḥāfaẓah, 190,820.