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