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
Source: CIA World Factbook
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