Page last updated on February 28, 2018

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
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 17,204 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 160 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 159

Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries:
total: 546 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (2): Mozambique 108 km, South Africa 438 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
varies from tropical to near temperate
More Climate Details

Terrain:
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains

Elevation:
mean elevation: 305 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
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%
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: 31.7%
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
500 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

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