Geography of Swaziland
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 land: 17,203 sq km water: 160 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: 10.25% permanent crops: 0.81% other: 88.94% (2005) |
Irrigated land: | 500 sq km (2003) |
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, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
Geography - note: | landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa |