Terrain:
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
Natural resources:
timber, gemstones, some iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower
potential
Land use: arable land: 20.96% permanent crops: 0.61% other: 78.43% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
2,700 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment - current issues:
illegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining
for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have
resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular,
destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil
erosion; in rural areas, a majority of the population does not have
access to potable water; toxic waste delivery from Taiwan sparked
unrest in Kampong Saom (Sihanoukville) in December 1998
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer
Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note:
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and
Tonle Sap
People Cambodia