| Location | Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa |
| Geographic coordinates | 26 30 S, 31 30 E |
| Map references | Africa |
| Area | total: 17,364 sq km land: 17,204 sq km water: 160 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than New Jersey |
| Land boundaries | total: 546 km border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km, South Africa 438 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 | mean elevation: 305 m 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 | agricultural land: 68.3% arable land 9.8%; permanent crops 0.8%; permanent pasture 57.7% forest: 31.7% other: 0% (2011 est.) |
| Irrigated land | 500 sq km (2012) |
| Population distribution | because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains |
| 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 |
Source: CIA World Factbook
This page was last updated on January 20, 2018
