LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo Geographic coordinates12 30 S, 18 30 E Map referencesAfrica Areatotal: 1,246,700 sq km Area - comparativeslightly less than twice the size of Texas Land boundariestotal: 5,198 km Coastline1,600 km Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm Climatesemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April) Terrainnarrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau Elevation extremeslowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resourcespetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium Land usearable land: 2.65% Irrigated land800 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources184 cu km (1987) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%) Natural hazardslocally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau Environment - current issuesoveruse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution Geography - notethe province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
|
|
Source: CIA World Factbook | |