Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to
November)
Terrain:
narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some
mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: junction of the Shire River and international
boundary with Mozambique 37 m
highest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Natural resources:
limestone, arable land, hydropower, unexploited deposits of
uranium, coal, and bauxite
Land use: arable land: 23.38% permanent crops: 1.49% other: 75.13% (2001)
Irrigated land:
280 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
NA
Environment - current issues: deforestation; land degradation; water pollution from agricultural runoff, sewage, industrial wastes; siltation of spawning grounds endangers fish populations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea