Geography of Swaziland
Location:
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Geographic coordinates:
26 30 S, 31 30 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries:
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:
Natural resources:
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite[?], hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Land use:
Irrigated land:
670 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues:
limited supplies of potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements:
Geography - note:
landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
total:
17,363 sq km
land:
17,203 sq km
water:
160 sq km
total:
535 km
border countries:
Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km
lowest point:
Great Usutu River[?] 21 m
highest point:
Emlembe[?] 1,862 m
arable land:
11%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
62%
forests and woodland:
7%
other:
20% (1993 est.)
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
Desertification, Law of the Sea