LocationSouthwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain Geographic coordinates39 30 N, 8 00 W Map referencesEurope Areatotal: 92,391 sq km Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Indiana Land boundariestotal: 1,214 km Coastline1,793 km Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm Climatemaritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south Terrainmountainous north of the Tagus River, rolling plains in south Elevation extremeslowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m Natural resourcesfish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower Land usearable land: 17.29% Irrigated land6,500 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources73.6 cu km (2005) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 11.09 cu km/yr (10%/12%/78%) Natural hazardsAzores subject to severe earthquakes Environment - current issuessoil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in coastal areas Environment - international agreementsparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - noteAzores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar |
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Source: CIA World Factbook | |