Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds
Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 2%
forests and woodland: 75%
other: 11% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to
April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes
Environment—current issues: a majority of the population does not
have access to a potable and reliable supply of water; deforestation
Environment—international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Desertification, Law of the Sea
People