Land boundaries:
total: 4,571 km
border countries: Malawi 1,569 km, South Africa 491 km, Swaziland
105 km, Tanzania 756 km, Zambia 419 km, Zimbabwe 1,231 km
Coastline: 2,470 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical to subtropical
Terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Natural resources: coal, titanium, natural gas
Land use:
arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 56%
forest and woodland: 20%
other: 20%
Irrigated land: 1,150 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: civil strife and recurrent drought in the
hinterlands have resulted in increased migration to urban and
coastal areas with adverse environmental consequences;
desertification; pollution of surface and coastal waters
natural hazards: severe droughts and floods occur in central and
southern provinces; devastating cyclones
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified
- Desertification, Law of the Sea