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GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
comparative
area: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land
boundaries: total 535 km, Mozambique 105 km, South Africa
430 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime
claims: none; landlocked
International
disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations
on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that
are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the
Swazi Kingdom
Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Natural
resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower,
forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
meadows
and pastures: 62.2%
forest
and woodland: 6.9%
Irrigated
land: 640 sq km (1993 est.)
current
issues: limited access to potable water; wildlife populations
being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil
degradation; soil erosion
international
agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone
Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Law
of the Sea
Note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
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