LocationEastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique Geographic coordinates6 00 S, 35 00 E Map referencesAfrica Areatotal: 945,087 sq km Area - comparativeslightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundariestotal: 3,861 km Coastline1,424 km Maritime claimsterritorial sea: 12 nm Climatevaries from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands Terrainplains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south Elevation extremeslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m Natural resourceshydropower, tin, phosphates, iron ore, coal, diamonds, gemstones, gold, natural gas, nickel Land usearable land: 4.23% Irrigated land1,840 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources91 cu km (2001) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 5.18 cu km/yr (10%/0%/89%) Natural hazardsflooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought Environment - current issuessoil degradation; deforestation; desertification; destruction of coral reefs threatens marine habitats; recent droughts affected marginal agriculture; wildlife threatened by illegal hunting and trade, especially for ivory Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Geography - noteKilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest |
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Source: CIA World Factbook | |