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Location:
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Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
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Geographic coordinates:
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26 30 S, 31 30 E
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Map references:
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africa
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Area:
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total: 17,363 sq km
water: 160 sq km
land: 17,203 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than New Jersey
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Land boundaries:
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total: 535 km
border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked)
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Maritime claims:
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none (landlocked)
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Climate:
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varies from tropical to near temperate
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Terrain:
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mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m
highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
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Natural resources:
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asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
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Land use:
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arable land: 10.35%
permanent crops: 0.7%
other: 88.95% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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690 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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drought
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Environment - current issues:
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limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
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