# country

id: ba
name: Bahrain
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>In 1783, the Sunni Al-KHALIFA family took power in Bahrain. In order to secure these holdings, it entered into a series of treaties with the UK during the 19th century that made Bahrain a British protectorate. The archipelago attained its independence in 1971. A steady decline in oil production and reserves since 1970 prompted Bahrain to take steps to diversify its economy, in the process developing petroleum processing and refining, aluminum production, and hospitality and retail sectors. It has also endeavored to become a leading regional banking center, especially with respect to Islamic finance. Bahrain's small size, central location among Gulf countries, economic dependence on Saudi Arabia, and proximity to Iran require it to play a delicate balancing act in foreign affairs among its larger neighbors. Its foreign policy activities usually fall in line with Saudi Arabia and the UAE.</p> <p>The Sunni royal family has long struggled to manage relations with its large Shia-majority population. In early 2011, amid Arab uprisings elsewhere in the region, the Bahraini Government confronted similar pro-democracy and reform protests at home with police and military action, including deploying Gulf Cooperation Council security forces to Bahrain. Failed political talks prompted opposition political societies to boycott 2014 legislative and municipal council elections. In 2018, a law preventing members of political societies dissolved by the courts from participating in elections effectively sidelined the majority of opposition figures from taking part in national elections. As a result, most members of parliament are independents. Ongoing dissatisfaction with the political status quo continues to factor into sporadic clashes between demonstrators and security forces. On 15 September 2020, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed peace agreements (the Abraham Accords) with Israel – brokered by the US – in Washington DC. Bahrain and the UAE thus became the third and fourth Middle Eastern countries, along with Egypt and Jordan, to recognize Israel.</p>


id: gg
name: Georgia
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.</p> <p>Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that led to periodic flare-ups in tension and violence and that culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.</p> <p>Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI became president in November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI then left the country. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. Most recently, Irakli GARIBASHVILI became prime minister in February 2021, replacing Giorgi GAKHARIA, who later in the year formed his own opposition party. In October 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse of office convictions. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.</p>


id: gz
name: Gaza Strip
type: dependency
Introduction:
<p>The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank.</p> <p>In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them.</p> <p>Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. </p>


id: ir
name: Iran
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018.</p> <p>Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013, Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. A longtime senior member in the regime, he made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. In July 2015, Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief; however, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 dealing a blow to RUHANI's legacy and the Iranian economy. Negotiations to restore the deal started in 2021 and are ongoing. Iran held elections in February 2020 for the Majles and the president in June 2021, resulting in a hardline and conservative monopoly across the regime's elected and unelected institutions. President Ebrahim RAISI is a hardline cleric with a decades-long career in Iran's judiciary and has had limited foreign policy and economic experience.</p>


id: is
name: Israel
type: sovereign
Introduction:
Israel has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world. The State of Israel was established in 1948. The UN General Assembly had proposed to partition the British Mandate for Palestine into an Arab and Jewish state. Arab states rejected the UN plan and were subsequently defeated militarily in the 1948 war that followed the withdrawal of the British on 14 May 1948. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel and its Arab neighbors fought wars in 1967 and 1973 and Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the course of the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than 20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020.<br><br>The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gasfields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements – brokered by the US – with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and reached an agreement with Sudan in early 2021.


id: iz
name: Iraq
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led forces.</p> <p>In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates - except for Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk - in January 2009 and in April and June 2013, and has repeatedly postponed the next provincial elections, originally planned for April 2017. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in October 2021 when 329 legislators were elected to the COR. The acting Iraqi National Intelligence Service Director General Mustafa al-KADHIMI became prime minister in May 2020 after the previous prime minister resigned in late 2019 because of widespread protests demanding more employment opportunities and an end to corruption. His mandate as prime minister was to guide Iraq toward an early national legislative election, which was held in October 2021.</p> <p>Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq was engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory lost in the western and northern portion of the country. Iraqi and allied forces recaptured Mosul, the country's second-largest city, in 2017 and drove ISIS out of its other urban strongholds. In December 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS while continuing operations against the group's residual presence in rural areas. Also in late 2017, ABADI responded to an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Regional Government by ordering Iraqi forces to take control of disputed territories across central and northern Iraq that were previously occupied and governed by Kurdish forces.</p>


id: jo
name: Jordan
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in 1921 and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern day Saudi Arabia until 1925, when they were pushed out by Ibn SAUD and Wahhabi tribes. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.</p> The country has had four kings. Jordan's long-time ruler, King HUSSEIN (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and Palestinian militants, which led to a brief civil war in 1970 referred to as "Black September" and ended in King HUSSEIN's ouster of the militants from Jordan. Jordan's borders also have changed. In 1948, Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, eventually annexing those territories in 1950 and granting its new Palestinian residents Jordanian citizenship. In 1967, Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six-Day War but retained administrative claims until 1988 when King HUSSEIN permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank in favor of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). King HUSSEIN signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, after Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Accords in 1993.<br><br>Jordanian kings continue to claim custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem by virtue of their Hashemite heritage as descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and agreements with Israel and Jerusalem-based religious and Palestinian leaders. After Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 War, it authorized the Jordanian-controlled Islamic Trust, or Waqf, to continue administering affairs in the Al Haram ash Sharif/Temple Mount holy compound, and the Jordan-Israel peace treaty reaffirmed Jordan's "special role" in administering the Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem.<br><br>King HUSSEIN died in 1999 and was succeeded by his eldest son, ABDALLAH II, who remains the current king. In 2009, King ABDALLAH II designated his son HUSSEIN as the Crown Prince. During his reign, ABDALLAH II has contended with a series of challenges, including the Arab Spring influx of refugees from neighboring states and a perennially weak economy. <p> </p>


id: ku
name: Kuwait
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Kuwait has been ruled by the AL-SABAH dynasty since the 18th century. The threat of Ottoman invasion in 1899 prompted Amir Mubarak AL-SABAH to seek protection from Britain, ceding foreign and defense responsibility to Britain until 1961, when the country attained its independence. Kuwait was attacked and overrun by Iraq in August 1990. Following several weeks of aerial bombardment, a US-led UN coalition began a ground assault in February 1991 that liberated Kuwait in four days. In 1992, the Amir reconstituted the parliament that he had dissolved in 1986. Amid the 2010-11 uprisings and protests across the Arab world, stateless Arabs, known as Bidoon, staged small protests in early 2011 demanding citizenship, jobs, and other benefits available to Kuwaiti nationals. Other demographic groups, notably Islamists and Kuwaitis from tribal backgrounds, soon joined the growing protest movements, which culminated in late 2011 with the resignation of the prime minister amidst allegations of corruption. Demonstrations renewed in late 2012 in response to an amiri decree amending the electoral law that lessened the voting power of the tribal blocs. <br><br>An opposition coalition of Sunni Islamists, tribal populists, and some liberals, largely boycotted legislative elections in 2012 and 2013, which ushered in a legislature more amenable to the government's agenda. Faced with the prospect of painful subsidy cuts, oppositionists and independents actively participated in the November 2016 election, winning nearly half of the seats, but a cohesive opposition alliance largely ceased to exist with the 2016 election and the opposition became increasingly factionalized. Since coming to power in 2006, the Amir has dissolved the National Assembly on seven occasions (the Constitutional Court annulled the Assembly elections in June 2012 and again in June 2013) and shuffled the cabinet over a dozen times, usually citing political stagnation and gridlock between the legislature and the government.<br><br>The current Amir, who assumed his role in 2020, launched a "National Dialogue" in September 2021 meant to resolve political gridlock. As part of the "National Dialogue," the Amir pardoned several opposition figures who had been living in exile, and they returned to Kuwait. Legislative challenges remain, and the cabinet was reshuffled in March 2022.</p>


id: le
name: Lebanon
type: sovereign
Introduction:
As a result of its location at the crossroads of three continents, the area that is modern-day Lebanon is rich in cultural and religious diversity. This region was subject to various foreign conquests for much of its history, including by the Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. From it the French demarcated the region of Lebanon in 1920, and it gained independence in 1943. Since then, Lebanon has experienced periods of political turmoil interspersed with prosperity built on its historical position as a regional center for finance and trade, although that status has significantly diminished since the beginning of Lebanon&rsquo;s economic crisis in 2019, which includes simultaneous currency, debt, and banking crises. The country's 1975-90 civil war, which resulted in an estimated 120,000 fatalities, was followed by years of social and political instability. Sectarianism is a key element of Lebanese political life. Neighboring Syria has historically influenced Lebanon's foreign and domestic policies, and its military occupied Lebanon from 1976 until 2005. Hizballah - a major Lebanese political party, militia, and US-designated foreign terrorist organization - and Israel continued attacks and counterattacks against each other after Syria's withdrawal, and fought a brief war in 2006. Lebanon's borders with Syria and Israel remain unresolved.


id: mu
name: Oman
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered from Indian Ocean trade. In the late 18th century, the nascent sultanate in Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties with Britain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political and military advisors increased, although the sultanate never became a British colony. In 1970, QABOOS bin Said Al-Said overthrew his father, and ruled as sultan for the next five decades. His extensive modernization program opened the country to the outside world. He prioritized strategic ties with the UK and US, and his moderate, independent foreign policy allowed Oman to maintain good relations with its neighbors and to avoid external entanglements.<br><br>Inspired by the popular uprisings that swept the Middle East and North Africa beginning in January 2011, some Omanis staged demonstrations, calling for more jobs and economic benefits and an end to corruption. In response to those protester demands, QABOOS in 2011 pledged to implement economic and political reforms, such as granting Oman’s bicameral legislative body more power and authorizing direct elections for its lower house, which took place in November 2011. Additionally, the sultan increased unemployment benefits, and, in August 2012, issued a royal directive mandating the speedy implementation of a national job creation plan for thousands of public and private sector Omani jobs. As part of the government's efforts to decentralize authority and allow greater citizen participation in local governance, Oman successfully conducted its first municipal council elections in December 2012. Announced by the sultan in 2011, the municipal councils have the power to advise the Royal Court on the needs of local districts across Oman's 11 governorates. Sultan QABOOS, Oman's longest reigning monarch, died on 11 January 2020. His cousin, HAYTHAM bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, former Minister of Heritage and Culture, was sworn in as Oman's new sultan the same day.</p>


id: qa
name: Qatar
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Ruled by the Al Thani family since the mid-1800s, Qatar within the last 60 years transformed itself from a poor British protectorate noted mainly for pearling into an independent state with significant oil and natural gas revenues. Former Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani, who overthrew his father in a bloodless coup in 1995, ushered in wide-sweeping political and media reforms, unprecedented economic investment, and a growing Qatari regional leadership role, in part through the creation of the pan-Arab satellite news network Al-Jazeera and Qatar's mediation of some regional conflicts. In the 2000s, Qatar resolved its longstanding border disputes with both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and by 2007 had attained the highest per capita income in the world. Qatar did not experience domestic unrest or violence like that seen in other Near Eastern and North African countries in 2011, due in part to its immense wealth and patronage network. In mid-2013, HAMAD peacefully abdicated, transferring power to his son, the current Amir TAMIM bin Hamad. TAMIM is popular with the Qatari public, for his role in shepherding the country through an economic embargo by some other regional countries, for his efforts to improve the country's healthcare and education systems, and for his expansion of the country's infrastructure in anticipation of Doha's hosting of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup.</p> Following the outbreak of regional unrest in 2011, Doha prided itself on its support for many popular revolutions, particularly in Libya and Syria. This stance was to the detriment of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which temporarily recalled their respective ambassadors from Doha in March 2014. TAMIM later oversaw a warming of Qatar’s relations with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE in November 2014 following Kuwaiti mediation and signing of the Riyadh Agreement. This reconciliation, however, was short-lived. In June 2017, Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE (the "Quartet") cut diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar in response to alleged violations of the agreement, among other complaints. They restored ties in January 2021 after signing a declaration at the Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. <p> </p>


id: sa
name: Saudi Arabia
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted the Kuwaiti royal family and 400,000 refugees while allowing Western and Arab troops to deploy on its soil for the liberation of Kuwait the following year. The continuing presence of foreign troops on Saudi soil after the liberation of Kuwait became a source of tension between the royal family and the public until all operational US troops left the country in 2003. Major terrorist attacks in May and November 2003 spurred a strong ongoing campaign against domestic terrorism and extremism. US troops returned to the Kingdom in October 2019 after attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.</p> <p>From 2005 to 2015, King ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud incrementally modernized the Kingdom. Driven by personal ideology and political pragmatism, he introduced a series of social and economic initiatives, including expanding employment and social opportunities for women, attracting foreign investment, increasing the role of the private sector in the economy, and discouraging businesses from hiring foreign workers. These reforms have accelerated under King SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz, who ascended to the throne in 2015, and has since lifted the Kingdom's ban on women driving, implemented education reforms, funded green initiatives, and allowed cinemas to operate for the first time in decades. Saudi Arabia saw some protests during the 2011 Arab Spring but not the level of bloodshed seen in protests elsewhere in the region. Shia Muslims in the Eastern Province protested primarily against the detention of political prisoners, endemic discrimination, and Bahraini and Saudi Government actions in Bahrain. Riyadh took a cautious but firm approach by arresting some protesters but releasing most of them quickly and by using its state-sponsored clerics to counter political and Islamist activism.</p> <p>The government held its first-ever elections in 2005 and 2011, when Saudis went to the polls to elect municipal councilors. In December 2015, women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates for the first time in municipal council elections, with 19 women winning seats. After King SALMAN ascended to the throne in 2015, he placed the first next-generation prince, MUHAMMAD BIN NAYIF bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, in the line of succession as Crown Prince. He designated his son, MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud, as the Deputy Crown Prince. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 10 countries in a military campaign to restore the legitimate government of Yemen, which had been ousted by Huthi forces allied with former president ALI ABDULLAH al-Salih. The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations). In May 2017, Saudi Arabia inaugurated the Global Center for Combatting Extremist Ideology (also known as "Etidal") as part of its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism. In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. Since then, he has jockeyed for influence with neighboring countries in a bid to be the region’s main power broker.</p> <p>The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 17% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2020. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, and promotes foreign investment in the Kingdom. In April 2016, the Saudi Government announced a broad set of socio-economic reforms, known as Vision 2030. Low global oil prices throughout 2015 and 2016 significantly lowered Saudi Arabia’s governmental revenue. In response, the government cut subsidies on water, electricity, and gasoline; reduced government employee compensation packages; and announced limited new land taxes. In coordination with OPEC and some key non-OPEC countries, Saudi Arabia agreed to cut oil output in early 2017 to regulate supply and help elevate global prices. In early 2020, this agreement by the so-called OPEC+ coalition collapsed. Saudi Arabia launched a price war by flooding the market with low-priced oil before returning to the negotiating table to agree to OPEC+’s largest and longest-lasting output cut. This cut helped to buoy prices that had collapsed as a result of the price war and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>


id: sy
name: Syria
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. The new country lacked political stability and experienced a series of military coups. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished. In the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Syria lost the Golan Heights region to Israel. During the 1990s, Syria and Israel held occasional, albeit unsuccessful, peace talks over its return. In November 1970, Hafiz al-ASAD, a member of the socialist Ba'ath Party and the minority Alawi sect, seized power in a bloodless coup and brought political stability to the country. Following the death of President Hafiz al-ASAD, his son, Bashar al-ASAD, was approved as president by popular referendum in July 2000. Syrian troops - stationed in Lebanon since 1976 in an ostensible peacekeeping role - were withdrawn in April 2005. During the July-August 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, Syria placed its military forces on alert but did not intervene directly on behalf of its ally Hizballah. In May 2007, Bashar al-ASAD's second term as president was approved by popular referendum.</p> <p>Influenced by major uprisings that began elsewhere in the region, and compounded by additional social and economic factors, antigovernment protests broke out first in the southern province of Dar'a in March 2011 with protesters calling for the repeal of the restrictive Emergency Law allowing arrests without charge, the legalization of political parties, and the removal of corrupt local officials. Demonstrations and violent unrest spread across Syria with the size and intensity of protests fluctuating. The government responded to unrest with a mix of concessions - including the repeal of the Emergency Law, new laws permitting new political parties, and liberalizing local and national elections - and with military force and detentions. The government's efforts to quell unrest and armed opposition activity led to extended clashes and eventually civil war between government forces, their allies, and oppositionists.</p> <p>International pressure on the ASAD regime intensified after late 2011, as the Arab League, the EU, Turkey, and the US expanded economic sanctions against the regime and those entities that support it. In December 2012, the Syrian National Coalition, was recognized by more than 130 countries as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people. In September 2015, Russia launched a military intervention on behalf of the ASAD regime, and domestic and foreign government-aligned forces recaptured swaths of territory from opposition forces, and eventually the country’s second largest city, Aleppo, in December 2016, shifting the conflict in the regime’s favor. The regime, with this foreign support, also recaptured opposition strongholds in the Damascus suburbs and the southern province of Dar’a in 2018. The government lacks territorial control over much of the northeastern part of the country, which is dominated by the predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and a smaller area dominated by Turkey. The SDF expanded its territorial hold beyond its traditional homelands, subsuming much of the northeast since 2014 as it battled the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Since 2016, Turkey has been engaged in northern Syria and has conducted three large-scale military operations to capture territory along Syria's northern border in the provinces of Aleppo, Ar Raqqah, and Al Hasakah. Some opposition forces organized under the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army and Turkish forces have maintained control of northwestern Syria along the Turkish border with the Afrin area of Aleppo Province since 2018. In 2019, Turkey and its opposition allies occupied formerly SDF-controlled territory between the cities of Tall Abyad to Ra’s Al ‘Ayn along Syria’s northern border. The extremist organization Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (formerly the Nusrah Front) in 2017 emerged as the predominate opposition force in Idlib Province, and still dominates an area also hosting additional Turkish forces. Negotiations between the government and opposition delegations at UN-sponsored Geneva conferences since 2014 and separately held discussions between Iran, Russia, and Turkey since early 2017 have failed to produce a resolution to the conflict. According to a September 2021 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 years of civil war is more than 350,000, although the UN acknowledges that this is the minimum number of verifiable deaths and is an undercount. According to a June 2022 UN estimate, the death toll resulting from the past 10 plus years of civil war is more than 306,000. As of early 2022, approximately 6.66 million Syrians were internally displaced and 14.6 million people were in need of humanitarian assistance across the country. An additional 5.6 million Syrians were registered refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, and North Africa. The conflict in Syria remains one of the two largest displacement crises worldwide (the other is the invasion of Ukraine).</p>


id: tu
name: Turkey
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. An unsuccessful coup attempt was made in July 2016 by a faction of the Turkish Armed Forces.</p> <p>Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," which only Turkey recognizes. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization, has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces and claimed more than 40,000 lives. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, however intense fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms, coupled with some political reforms, have contributed to a growing economy, although economic growth slowed in recent years, with occasional bouts of turmoil.</p> <p>From 2015 and continuing through 2016, Turkey witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence, including major attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and throughout the predominantly Kurdish southeastern region of Turkey. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup that ultimately failed following widespread popular resistance. More than 240 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. The government accused followers of the Fethullah Gulen transnational religious and social movement ("Hizmet") for allegedly instigating the failed coup and designates the movement’s followers as terrorists. Since the attempted coup, Turkish Government authorities arrested, suspended, or dismissed more than 130,000 security personnel, journalists, judges, academics, and civil servants due to their alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Following the failed coup, the Turkish Government instituted a State of Emergency from July 2016 to July 2018. The Turkish Government conducted a referendum on 16 April 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system. The amendments went into effect fully following the presidential and parliamentary elections in June 2018.</p>


id: we
name: West Bank
type: dependency
Introduction:
<p>The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo Accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.</p> <p>In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area.</p> <p>The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements.</p> Since 1994, the PA has administered parts of the West Bank under its control, mainly the major Palestinian population centers and areas immediately surrounding them. Roughly 60% of the West Bank remains under full Israeli civil and military control, impeding movement of people and goods through the territory. <p> </p>


id: ym
name: Yemen
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The Kingdom of Yemen (colloquially known as North Yemen) became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1918 and in 1962 became the Yemen Arab Republic. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became the People's Republic of Southern Yemen (colloquially known as South Yemen). Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation and changed the country's name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement and brief civil war in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to delineate their border.</p> <p>Fighting in the northwest between the government and the Huthis, a Zaydi Shia Muslim minority, continued intermittently from 2004 to 2010, and then again from 2014-present. The southern secessionist movement was revitalized in 2007.</p> <p>Public rallies in Sana'a against then President Ali Abdallah SALIH - inspired by similar Arab Spring demonstrations in Tunisia and Egypt - slowly built momentum starting in late January 2011 fueled by complaints over high unemployment, poor economic conditions, and corruption. By the following month, some protests had resulted in violence, and the demonstrations had spread to other major cities. By March the opposition had hardened its demands and was unifying behind calls for SALIH's immediate ouster. In April 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in an attempt to mediate the crisis in Yemen, proposed the GCC Initiative, an agreement in which the president would step down in exchange for immunity from prosecution. SALIH's refusal to sign an agreement led to further violence. The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2014 in October 2011 calling for an end to the violence and completing a power transfer deal. In November 2011, SALIH signed the GCC Initiative to step down and to transfer some of his powers to Vice President Abd Rabuh Mansur HADI. Following HADI's uncontested election victory in February 2012, SALIH formally transferred all presidential powers. In accordance with the GCC Initiative, Yemen launched a National Dialogue Conference (NDC) in March 2013 to discuss key constitutional, political, and social issues. HADI concluded the NDC in January 2014 and planned to begin implementing subsequent steps in the transition process, including constitutional drafting, a constitutional referendum, and national elections.</p> <p>The Huthis, perceiving their grievances were not addressed in the NDC, joined forces with SALIH and expanded their influence in northwestern Yemen, which culminated in a major offensive against military units and rival tribes and enabled their forces to overrun the capital, Sanaa, in September 2014. In January 2015, the Huthis surrounded the presidential palace, HADI's residence, and key government facilities, prompting HADI and the cabinet to submit their resignations. HADI fled to Aden in February 2015 and rescinded his resignation. He subsequently escaped to Oman and then moved to Saudi Arabia and asked the GCC to intervene militarily in Yemen to protect the legitimate government from the Huthis. In March 2015, Saudi Arabia assembled a coalition of Arab militaries and began airstrikes against the Huthis and Huthi-affiliated forces. Ground fighting between Huthi-aligned forces and anti-Huthi groups backed by the Saudi-led coalition continued through 2016. In 2016, the UN brokered a months-long cessation of hostilities that reduced airstrikes and fighting, and initiated peace talks in Kuwait. However, the talks ended without agreement. The Huthis and SALIH’s political party announced a Supreme Political Council in August 2016 and a National Salvation Government, including a prime minister and several dozen cabinet members, in November 2016, to govern in Sanaa and further challenge the legitimacy of HADI’s government. However, amid rising tensions between the Huthis and SALIH, sporadic clashes erupted in mid-2017, and escalated into open fighting that ended when Huthi forces killed SALIH in early December 2017. In 2018, anti-Huthi forces made the most battlefield progress in Yemen since early 2016, most notably in Al Hudaydah Governorate. In December 2018, the Huthis and Yemeni Government participated in the first UN-brokered peace talks since 2016, agreeing to a limited cease-fire in Al Hudaydah Governorate and the establishment of a UN Mission to monitor the agreement. In April 2019, Yemen’s parliament convened in Say'un for the first time since the conflict broke out in 2014. In August 2019, violence erupted between HADI's government and the pro-secessionist Southern Transition Council (STC) in southern Yemen. In November 2019, HADI's government and the STC signed a power-sharing agreement to end the fighting between them, and in December 2020, the signatories formed a new cabinet. In 2020 and 2021, fighting continued on the ground in Yemen as the Huthis gained territory, and also conducted regular UAV and missile attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia. </p>


id: bd
name: Bermuda
type: dependency
Introduction:
Bermuda was first settled in 1609 by shipwrecked English colonists heading for Virginia. Self-governing since 1620, Bermuda is the oldest and most populous of the British overseas territories. Vacationing to the island to escape North American winters first developed in Victorian times. Tourism continues to be important to the island's economy, although international business has overtaken it in recent years. Bermuda has also developed into a highly successful offshore financial center. A referendum on independence from the UK was soundly defeated in 1995.


id: ca
name: Canada
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.</p>


id: gl
name: Greenland
type: dependency
Introduction:
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.


id: ip
name: Clipperton Island
type: dependency
Introduction:
This isolated atoll was named for John CLIPPERTON, an English pirate who was rumored to have made it his hideout early in the 18th century. Annexed by France in 1855 and claimed by the US, it was seized by Mexico in 1897. Arbitration eventually awarded the island to France in 1931, which took possession in 1935.


id: mx
name: Mexico
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The site of several advanced Amerindian civilizations - including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec - Mexico was conquered and colonized by Spain in the early 16th century. Administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain for three centuries, it achieved independence early in the 19th century. Elections held in 2000 marked the first time since the 1910 Mexican Revolution that an opposition candidate - Vicente FOX of the National Action Party (PAN) - defeated the party in government, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). He was succeeded in 2006 by another PAN candidate Felipe CALDERON, but Enrique PENA NIETO regained the presidency for the PRI in 2012. Left-leaning anti-establishment politician and former mayor of Mexico City (2000-05) Andres Manuel LOPEZ OBRADOR, from the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), became president in December 2018.<br><br>The global financial crisis in late 2008 caused a massive economic downturn in Mexico the following year. Growth rebounded to about 5% in 2010, but then averaged roughly half that for the rest of the decade. Notwithstanding this challenge, Mexico is currently the largest goods trading partner of the US – with $614.5 billion in two-way goods trade during 2019. US exports of goods and services to Mexico supported 1.2 million jobs in the US in 2015 (the latest data available) according to estimates from the Department of Commerce. Mexico's GDP contracted by 8.2% in 2020 due to pandemic-induced closures, its lowest level since the Great Depression, but Mexico’s economy rebounded in 2021 when it grew by 4.8%, driven largely by increased remittances, despite supply chain and pandemic-related challenges.</p> <p>The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, or T-MEC by its Spanish acronym) entered into force on 1 July 2020 and replaced its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mexico amended its constitution on 1 May 2019 to facilitate the implementation of the labor components of USMCA.</p> <p>Ongoing economic and social concerns include low real wages, high underemployment, inequitable income distribution, and few advancement opportunities for the largely indigenous population in the impoverished southern states. Since 2007, Mexico's powerful transnational criminal organizations have engaged in a struggle to control criminal markets, resulting in tens of thousands of drug-related homicides and forced disappearances.</p>


id: sb
name: Saint Pierre and Miquelon
type: dependency
Introduction:
First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions. They attained the status of an overseas collectivity in 2003.


id: us
name: United States
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country in 1776 and were recognized as the new nation of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783. During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent and acquired a number of overseas possessions. The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65), in which a northern Union of states defeated a secessionist Confederacy of 11 southern slave states, and the Great Depression of the 1930s, an economic downturn during which about a quarter of the labor force lost its jobs. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. Since the end of World War II, the economy has achieved relatively steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.</p>


id: oo
name: Southern Ocean
type: ocean
Introduction:
A large body of recent oceanographic research has shown that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), an ocean current that flows from west to east around Antarctica, plays a crucial role in global ocean circulation. The region where the cold waters of the ACC meet and mingle with the warmer waters of the north defines a distinct border - the Antarctic Convergence - which fluctuates with the seasons, but which encompasses a discrete body of water and a unique ecologic region. The Convergence concentrates nutrients, which promotes marine plant life, and which, in turn, allows for a greater abundance of animal life. In 2000, the International Hydrographic Organization delimited the waters within the Convergence as a fifth world ocean - the Southern Ocean - by combining the southern portions of the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. The Southern Ocean extends from the coast of Antarctica north to 60 degrees south latitude, which coincides with the Antarctic Treaty region and which approximates the extent of the Antarctic Convergence. As such, the Southern Ocean is now the fourth largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean, but larger than the Arctic Ocean). It should be noted that inclusion of the Southern Ocean does not imply recognition of this feature as one of the world's primary oceans by the US Government.


id: xo
name: Indian Ocean
type: ocean
Introduction:
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, but larger than the Southern Ocean and Arctic Ocean). Four critically important access waterways are the Suez Canal (Egypt), Bab el Mandeb (Djibouti-Yemen), Strait of Hormuz (Iran-Oman), and Strait of Malacca (Indonesia-Malaysia).The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Indian Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.


id: xq
name: Arctic Ocean
type: ocean
Introduction:
The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. In recent years the polar ice pack has receded in the summer allowing for increased navigation and raising the possibility of future sovereignty and shipping disputes among the six countries bordering the Arctic Ocean (Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, US).


id: zh
name: Atlantic Ocean
type: ocean
Introduction:
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, but larger than the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). The Kiel Canal (Germany), Oresund (Denmark-Sweden), Bosporus (Turkey), Strait of Gibraltar (Morocco-Spain), and the Saint Lawrence Seaway (Canada-US) are important strategic access waterways.The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth world ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Atlantic Ocean south of 60 degrees south latitude.


id: zn
name: Pacific Ocean
type: ocean
Introduction:
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits.The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.


id: ar
name: Argentina
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions.</p> <p>After World War II, an era of populism under former President Juan Domingo PERON - the founder of the Peronist political movement - and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Nestor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with MACRI’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNANDEZ and Vice President FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Presidential elections will take place next in 2023.</p>


id: bl
name: Bolivia
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Bolivia, named after independence fighter Simon BOLIVAR, broke away from Spanish rule in 1825. Much of its subsequent history has consisted of a series of coups and countercoups, with the last coup occurring in 1978. Democratic civilian rule was established in 1982, but leaders have faced problems of deep-seated poverty, social unrest, and illegal drug production.</p> <p>In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor and indigenous majority. In December 2009 and October 2014, President MORALES easily won reelection. His party maintained control of the legislative branch of the government, which has allowed him to continue his "process of change." In February 2016, MORALES narrowly lost a referendum to approve a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to compete in the 2019 presidential election. However, a 2017 Supreme Court ruling stating that term limits violate human rights provided the justification for MORALES to be chosen by his party to run again in 2019. MORALES attempted to claim victory in the October 2019 election, but widespread allegations of electoral fraud, rising violence, and pressure from the military ultimately forced him to flee the country. An interim government, led by President Jeanine ANEZ Chavez, prepared new elections that took place in October 2020; President Luis Alberto ARCE Catacora took office the following month.</p>


id: br
name: Brazil
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. VARGAS governed over various versions of democratic and authoritarian regimes from 1930 to 1945. Democratic rule returned (including a democratically elected VARGAS administration from 1951 to 1955) and lasted until 1964, when the military overthrew President Joao GOULART. The military regime censored journalists and repressed and tortured dissidents in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The dictatorship lasted until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers, and the Brazilian Congress passed its current constitution in 1989. <br><br>By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Having successfully weathered a period of global financial difficulty in the late 20th century, under President Luiz Inacio LULA da Silva (2003-2010) Brazil was seen as one of the world's strongest emerging markets and a contributor to global growth. The awarding of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the first ever to be held in South America, was symbolic of the country's rise. However, from about 2013 to 2016, Brazil was plagued by a sagging economy, high unemployment, and high inflation, only emerging from recession in 2017. Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF (2011-2016) was removed from office in 2016 by Congress for having committed impeachable acts against Brazil's budgetary laws, and her vice president, Michel TEMER, served the remainder of her second term. A money-laundering investigation, Operation Lava Jato, uncovered a vast corruption scheme and prosecutors charged several high-profile Brazilian politicians with crimes. Former-President LULA was convicted of accepting bribes and served jail time (2018-19), although his conviction was overturned in early 2021. In October 2018, Jair BOLSONARO won the presidency with 55% of the second-round vote and assumed office on 1 January 2019. The next national elections are scheduled for October 2022.</p>


id: ci
name: Chile
type: sovereign
Introduction:
Indigenous groups inhabited central and southern Chile for several thousands of years, living in mixed pastoralist and settled communities, ending with the Inca ruling the north of the country for nearly a century prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The Captaincy General of Chile was founded by the Spanish in 1541, lasting until Chile declared its independence in 1810. The subsequent struggle became tied to other South American independence conflicts, with a decisive victory over the Spanish not being achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia to win its current northernmost regions. By the 1880s, the Chilean central government cemented its control over the central and southern regions inhabited by Mapuche Indigenous peoples. Between 1891 and 1973, a series of elected governments succeeded each other until the three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by General Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a democratically elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Economic reforms, maintained consistently since the 1980s, contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.


id: co
name: Colombia
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006, and the AUC as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, illegal armed groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' to include a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.</p>


id: ec
name: Ecuador
type: sovereign
Introduction:
What is now Ecuador formed part of the northern Inca Empire until the Spanish conquest in 1533. Quito became a seat of Spanish colonial government in 1563 and part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada in 1717. The territories of the Viceroyalty - New Granada (Colombia), Venezuela, and Quito - gained their independence between 1819 and 1822 and formed a federation known as Gran Colombia. When Quito withdrew in 1830, the traditional name was changed in favor of the "Republic of the Equator." Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 30 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period was marred by political instability. Protests in Quito contributed to the mid-term ouster of three of Ecuador's last four democratically elected presidents. In late 2008, voters approved a new constitution, Ecuador's 20th since gaining independence. Guillermo LASSO was elected president in April 2021 becoming the country's first center-right president in nearly two decades when he took office the following month.


id: fk
name: Falkland Islands
type: dependency
Introduction:
Although first sighted by an English navigator in 1592, the first landing (English) did not occur until almost a century later in 1690, and the first settlement (French) was not established until 1764. The colony was turned over to Spain two years later and the islands have since been the subject of a territorial dispute, first between Britain and Spain, then between Britain and Argentina. The UK asserted its claim to the islands by establishing a naval garrison there in 1833. Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982. The British responded with an expeditionary force that landed seven weeks later and after fierce fighting forced an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982. With hostilities ended and Argentine forces withdrawn, UK administration resumed. In response to renewed calls from Argentina for Britain to relinquish control of the islands, a referendum was held in March 2013, which resulted in 99.8% of the population voting to remain a part of the UK.


id: gy
name: Guyana
type: sovereign
Introduction:
Originally a Dutch colony in the 17th century, by 1815 Guyana had become a British possession. The abolition of slavery led to settlement of urban areas by former slaves and the importation of indentured servants from India to work the sugar plantations. The resulting ethnocultural divide has persisted and has led to turbulent politics. Guyana achieved independence from the UK in 1966, and since then it has been ruled mostly by socialist-oriented governments. In 1992, Cheddi JAGAN was elected president in what is considered the country's first free and fair election since independence. After his death five years later, his wife, Janet JAGAN, became president but resigned in 1999 due to poor health. Her successor, Bharrat JAGDEO, was elected in 2001 and again in 2006. Early elections held in May 2015 resulted in the first change in governing party and the replacement of President Donald RAMOTAR by current President David GRANGER. After a December 2018 no-confidence vote against the GRANGER government, national elections were constitutionally required to take place within three months. After over a year of extra-constitutional rule by the GRANGER administration, elections were held, though voting irregularities led to a nationwide recount. The current Irfaan ALI administration was sworn in to office in August 2020. The discovery of oil in 2015 has been the primary economic and political focus, with many hoping the significant reserves will transform one of the poorest countries in the region.


id: ns
name: Suriname
type: sovereign
Introduction:
First explored by the Spaniards in the 16th century and then settled by the English in the mid-17th century, Suriname became a Dutch colony in 1667. With the abolition of African slavery in 1863, workers were brought in from India and Java. The Netherlands granted the colony independence in 1975. Five years later, the civilian government was replaced by a military regime that soon declared Suriname a socialist republic. It continued to exert control through a succession of nominally civilian administrations until 1987, when international pressure finally forced a democratic election. In 1990, the military overthrew the civilian leadership, but a democratically elected government - a four-party coalition - returned to power in 1991. The coalition expanded to eight parties in 2005 and ruled until August 2010, when voters returned former military leader Desire BOUTERSE and his opposition coalition to power. President BOUTERSE was reelected unopposed in 2015. Opposition parties campaigned hard against BOUTERSE in the lead up to the May 2020 elections and, in July 2020, a coalition led by Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI&rsquo;s VHP and Ronnie Brunswijk&rsquo;s ABOP was installed. The SANTOKHI government promised to tackle COVID-19, the economic crisis it inherited, and corruption.


id: pa
name: Paraguay
type: sovereign
Introduction:
Several Indigenous groups, principally belonging to the Guarani language family, inhabited the area of modern Paraguay before the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century, when the territory was incorporated into the Viceroyalty of Peru. Paraguay achieved its independence from Spain in 1811 with the help of neighboring states. In the aftermath of independence, a series of military dictators ruled the country until 1870. During the disastrous War of the Triple Alliance (1864-70) - fought against Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay - Paraguay lost two thirds of its adult males and much of its territory. The country stagnated economically for the next half century and experienced a tumultuous series of political regimes. Following the Chaco War of 1932-35 with Bolivia, Paraguay gained a large part of the Chaco lowland region. The 35-year military dictatorship of Alfredo STROESSNER ended in 1989, and Paraguay has held relatively free and regular presidential elections since the country's return to democracy.


id: pe
name: Peru
type: sovereign
Introduction:
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peru declared its independence in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980 but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures and an economic slump in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his resignation in 2000. A caretaker government oversaw a new election in the spring of 2001, which installed Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of indigenous ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, oversaw a robust economic rebound. Former army officer Ollanta HUMALA Tasso was elected president in June 2011, and carried on the sound, market-oriented economic policies of the three preceding administrations. Poverty and unemployment levels have fallen dramatically in the last decade, and today Peru boasts one of the best performing economies in Latin America. Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard won a very narrow presidential runoff election in June 2016. Facing impeachment after evidence surfaced of his involvement in a vote-buying scandal, President KUCZYNSKI offered his resignation on 21 March 2018. Two days later, First Vice President Martin Alberto VIZCARRA Cornejo was sworn in as president. On 30 September 2019, President VIZCARRA invoked his constitutional authority to dissolve Peru's Congress after months of battling with the body over anticorruption reforms. New congressional elections took place on 26 January 2020 resulting in the return of an opposition-led legislature. President VIZCARRA was impeached by Congress on 9 November 2020 for a second time and removed from office after being accused of corruption and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of vacancies in the vice-presidential positions, constitutional succession led to the President of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel MERINO, becoming the next president of Peru. His ascension to office was not well received by the population, and large protests forced his resignation on 15 November 2020. On 17 November, Francisco SAGASTI assumed the position of President of Peru after being appointed President of the Congress the previous day. Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones won the second round of presidential elections on 6 June 2021 and was inaugurated on 28 July.


id: sx
name: South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
type: dependency
Introduction:
The islands, with large bird and seal populations, lie approximately 1,000 km east of the Falkland Islands and have been under British administration since 1908 - except for a brief period in 1982 when Argentina occupied them. Grytviken, on South Georgia, was a 19th and early 20th century whaling station. Famed explorer Ernest SHACKLETON stopped there in 1914 en route to his ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica on foot. He returned some 20 months later with a few companions in a small boat and arranged a successful rescue for the rest of his crew, stranded off the Antarctic Peninsula. He died in 1922 on a subsequent expedition and is buried in Grytviken. Today, the station houses scientists from the British Antarctic Survey. Recognizing the importance of preserving the marine stocks in adjacent waters, the UK, in 1993, extended the exclusive fishing zone from 12 nm to 200 nm around each island.


id: uy
name: Uruguay
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.</p>


id: ve
name: Venezuela
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Although democratically elected governments largely held sway since 1959, the executive branch under Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, exercised increasingly authoritarian control over other branches of government.  This undemocratic trend continued in 2018 when Nicolas MADURO claimed the presidency for his second term in an election boycotted by most opposition parties and widely viewed as fraudulent.<br><br>The last democratically-elected institution is the 2015 National Assembly. The president of the 2015 National Assembly, Juan GUAIDO is currently recognized by several countries - including the United States - as the interim president of Venezuela, while MADURO is recognized by most countries. In 2020, legislative elections were held for a new National Assembly, which the opposition boycotted and which were widely condemned as fraudulent. The resulting assembly is viewed by GUAIDO, most opposition parties, and many international actors as illegitimate. In November 2021, most opposition parties broke a three-year election boycott to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections, despite flawed conditions. As a result, the opposition more than doubled its representation at the mayoral level and retained four of 23 governorships. The 2021 regional elections marked the first time since 2006 that the EU was allowed to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela.<br><br>The MADURO regime places strong restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press. Since CHAVEZ, the ruling party's economic policies expanded the state's role in the economy through expropriations of major enterprises, strict currency exchange and price controls that discourage private sector investment and production, and overdependence on the petroleum industry for revenues, among others. Years of economic mismanagement left Venezuela ill-prepared to weather the global drop in oil prices in 2014, sparking an economic decline that has resulted in reduced government social spending, shortages of basic goods, and high inflation. Worsened living conditions have prompted over 6 million Venezuelans to migrate, mainly settling in nearby countries. Since 2017, the US has imposed financial and sectoral sanctions on the MADURO regime. Since mid-2020, and despite MADURO regime mismanagement and faltering infrastructure, oil production has begun to rise primarily due to strengthened MADURO regime trade relations with China, Russia, Iran, and the illicit oil trade. Caracas has more recently relaxed some economic controls to mitigate the impact of its sustained economic crisis, such as allowing increased currency and liberalizing import flexibility for private citizens and companies. Other concerns include human rights abuses, rampant violent crime, political manipulation of the judicial and electoral systems, and corruption.</p>


id: af
name: Afghanistan
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in increased democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 communist countercoup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-communist mujahidin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Usama BIN LADIN.</p> <p>A UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and was reelected in August 2009. In February 2020, the US and the Taliban signed the “US-Taliban Agreement,” which contained commitments by the US related to the withdrawal from Afghanistan of military forces of the US, its allies, and Coalition partners, as well as commitments by the Taliban related to counterterrorism, among other topics. Following a US drawdown of virtually all of its troops, a summer 2021 Taliban offensive quickly overran the country and the Taliban took over Kabul in August of 2021. </p>


id: bg
name: Bangladesh
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires centered on the Gangetic plain for much of the first millennium A.D. Muslim conversions and settlement in the region began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans established trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won the independence war for Bangladesh in 1971.</p> <p>The post-independence AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 it was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978. That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections occurred in 1991. The BNP and AL have alternated in power since 1991, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted the election, which extended HASINA's term as prime minister. In December 2018, HASINA secured a third consecutive term (fourth overall) with the AL coalition securing 96% of available seats, amid widespread claims of election irregularities. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has reduced the poverty rate from over half of the population to less than a third, achieved Millennium Development Goals for maternal and child health, and made great progress in food security since independence. The economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% for the last two decades. In 2021 the UN approved a resolution to allow Bangladesh to officially graduate from least-developed-country (LDC) status in 2026, based on World Bank criteria.</p>


id: bt
name: Bhutan
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>Following Britain’s victory in the 1865 Duar War, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding land to British India. Ugyen WANGCHUCK - who had served as the de facto ruler of an increasingly unified Bhutan and had improved relations with the British toward the end of the 19th century - was named king in 1907. Three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs, and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. Bhutan negotiated a similar arrangement with independent India in 1949. The Indo-Bhutanese Treaty of Friendship returned to Bhutan a small piece of the territory annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. Under a succession of modernizing monarchs beginning in the 1950s, Bhutan joined the UN in 1971 and slowly continued its engagement beyond its borders.</p> <p>In 2005, King Jigme Singye WANGCHUCK unveiled the draft of Bhutan's first constitution - which introduced major democratic reforms - and held a national referendum for its approval. The King abdicated the throne in 2006 in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel WANGCHUCK. In 2007, India and Bhutan renegotiated their treaty, eliminating the clause that stated that Bhutan would be "guided by" India in conducting its foreign policy, although Thimphu continues to coordinate closely with New Delhi. In 2008, Bhutan held its first parliamentary election in accordance with the constitution. Bhutan experienced a peaceful turnover of power following a parliamentary election in 2013, which resulted in the defeat of the incumbent party. In 2018, the incumbent party again lost the parliamentary election. Of the more than 100,000 ethnic Nepali - predominantly Lhotshampa - refugees who fled or were forced out of Bhutan in the 1990s, about 6,500 remain displaced in Nepal.</p>


id: ce
name: Sri Lanka
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009.</p> <p>During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society.  In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.</p>


id: in
name: India
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The Indus Valley civilization, one of the world's oldest, flourished during the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. and extended into northwestern India. Aryan tribes from the northwest infiltrated the Indian subcontinent about 1500 B.C.; their merger with the earlier Dravidian inhabitants created the classical Indian culture. The Maurya Empire of the 4th and 3rd centuries B.C. - which reached its zenith under ASHOKA - united much of South Asia. The Golden Age ushered in by the Gupta dynasty (4th to 6th centuries A.D.) saw a flowering of Indian science, art, and culture. Islam spread across the subcontinent over a period of 700 years. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Turks and Afghans invaded India and established the Delhi Sultanate. In the early 16th century, the Emperor BABUR established the Mughal Dynasty, which ruled India for more than three centuries. European explorers began establishing footholds in India during the 16th century.</p> <p>By the 19th century, Great Britain had become the dominant political power on the subcontinent and India was seen as the "Jewel in the Crown" of the British Empire. The British Indian Army played a vital role in both World Wars. Years of nonviolent resistance to British rule, led by Mohandas GANDHI and Jawaharlal NEHRU, eventually resulted in Indian independence in 1947. Large-scale communal violence took place before and after the subcontinent partition into two separate states - India and Pakistan. The neighboring countries have fought three wars since independence, the last of which was in 1971 and resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. India's nuclear weapons tests in 1998 emboldened Pakistan to conduct its own tests that same year. In November 2008, terrorists originating from Pakistan conducted a series of coordinated attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. India's economic growth following the launch of economic reforms in 1991, a massive youthful population, and a strategic geographic location have contributed to India's emergence as a regional and global power. However, India still faces pressing problems such as environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and widespread corruption, and its restrictive business climate challenges economic growth expectations.</p>


id: io
name: British Indian Ocean Territory
type: dependency
Introduction:
<p>Formerly administered as part of the British Crown Colony of Mauritius, the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was established as an overseas territory of the UK in 1965. A number of the islands of the territory were later transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. Only Diego Garcia, the largest and most southerly of the islands, is inhabited. It contains a joint UK-US naval support facility and hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system (the others are on Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), at Cape Canaveral, Florida (US), and on Ascension Island (Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha)). The US Air Force also operates a telescope array on Diego Garcia as part of the Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance System (GEODSS) for tracking orbital debris, which can be a hazard to spacecraft and astronauts.</p> <p>Between 1967 and 1973, former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius, but also to the Seychelles. Negotiations between 1971 and 1982 resulted in the establishment of a trust fund by the British Government as compensation for the displaced islanders, known as Chagossians. Beginning in 1998, the islanders pursued a series of lawsuits against the British Government seeking further compensation and the right to return to the territory. In 2006 and 2007, British court rulings invalidated the immigration policies contained in the 2004 BIOT Constitution Order that had excluded the islanders from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. In 2008, the House of Lords, as the final court of appeal in the UK, ruled in favor of the British Government by overturning the lower court rulings and finding no right of return for the Chagossians. In March 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area that the UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.<br><br>In February 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Britain’s decolonization of Mauritius was not completed lawfully because of continued Chagossian claims. A non-binding May 2019 UN General Assembly vote demanded that Britain end its “colonial administration” of the Chagos Archipelago and that it be returned to Mauritius. UK officials defend Britain's sovereignty over the islands and argue that the issue is a bilateral dispute between Mauritius and the UK that does not warrant international intervention. <br><br><br></p>


id: mv
name: Maldives
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005.</p> <p>In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the GAYOOM regime. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament.</p>


id: np
name: Nepal
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>During the late 18th-early 19th centuries, the principality of Gorkha united many of the other principalities and states of the sub-Himalayan region into a Nepali Kingdom. Nepal retained its independence following the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814-16 and the subsequent peace treaty laid the foundations for two centuries of amicable relations between Britain and Nepal. (The Brigade of Gurkhas continues to serve in the British Army to the present day.) In 1951, the Nepali monarch ended the century-old system of rule by hereditary premiers and instituted a cabinet system that brought political parties into the government. That arrangement lasted until 1960, when political parties were again banned, but was reinstated in 1990 with the establishment of a multiparty democracy within the framework of a constitutional monarchy.</p> <p>An insurgency led by Maoists broke out in 1996. During the ensuing 10-year civil war between Maoist and government forces, the monarchy dissolved the cabinet and parliament and re-assumed absolute power in 2002, after the crown prince massacred the royal family in 2001. A peace accord in 2006 led to the promulgation of an interim constitution in 2007. Following a nationwide Constituent Assembly (CA) election in 2008, the newly formed CA declared Nepal a federal democratic republic, abolished the monarchy, and elected the country's first president. After the CA failed to draft a constitution by a 2012 deadline set by the Supreme Court, then-Prime Minister Baburam BHATTARAI dissolved the CA. Months of negotiations ensued until 2013 when the major political parties agreed to create an interim government headed by then-Chief Justice Khil Raj REGMI with a mandate to hold elections for a new CA. Elections were held in 2013, in which the Nepali Congress (NC) won the largest share of seats in the CA and in 2014 formed a coalition government with the second-place Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) with NC President Sushil KOIRALA serving as prime minister. Nepal's new constitution came into effect in 2015, at which point the CA became the Parliament. Khagda Prasad Sharma OLI served as the first post-constitution prime minister from 2015 to 2016. OLI resigned ahead of a no-confidence motion against him, and Parliament elected Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-M) leader Pushpa Kamal DAHAL (aka "Prachanda") prime minister. The constitution provided for a transitional period during which three sets of elections – local, provincial, and national – needed to take place. The first local elections in 20 years occurred in three phases between May and September 2017, and state and federal elections proceeded in two phases in November and December 2017. The parties headed by OLI and DAHAL ran in coalition and swept the parliamentary elections, and OLI, who led the larger of the two parties, was sworn in as prime minister in February 2018. In May 2018, OLI and DAHAL announced the merger of their parties - the UML and CPN-M - to establish the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), which headed the government for roughly two years before infighting led the party to split. OLI from late 2020 sought to dissolve parliament and hold elections. The supreme court in July 2021 declared OLI's efforts unconstitutional and called for an appointment of the opposition-supported NC leader Sher Bahadur DEUBA as prime minister.</p> <p> </p>


id: pk
name: Pakistan
type: sovereign
Introduction:
<p>The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of what is presently Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The separation in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India was never satisfactorily resolved, and India and Pakistan fought two wars and a limited conflict - in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively - over the disputed Kashmir territory. A third war between these countries in 1971 - in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to the marginalization of Bengalis in Pakistani politics - resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh.</p> <p>In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in mid-1998. India-Pakistan relations improved in the mid-2000s but have been rocky since the November 2008 Mumbai attacks and have been further strained by Indian reports of cross-border militancy. Imran KHAN took office as prime minister in 2018 after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party won a plurality of seats in the July 2018 general elections. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups that target government institutions and civilians, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks.</p>


id: xx
name: World
type: other
Introduction:
Globally, the 20th century was marked by: (a) two devastating World Wars; (b) the Great Depression of the 1930s; (c) the end of vast colonial empires; (d) rapid advances in science and technology, from the first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina (US) to the landing on the moon; (e) the Cold War between the Western alliance and the Warsaw Pact nations; (f) a sharp rise in living standards in North America, Europe, and Japan; (g) increased concerns about environmental degradation including deforestation, energy and water shortages, declining biological diversity, and air pollution; (h) the onset of the AIDS epidemic; and (i) the ultimate emergence of the US as the only world superpower. The planet's population continues to explode: from 1 billion in 1820 to 2 billion in 1930, 3 billion in 1960, 4 billion in 1974, 5 billion in 1987, 6 billion in 1999, and 7 billion in 2012. For the 21st century, the continued exponential growth in science and technology raises both hopes (e.g., advances in medicine and agriculture) and fears (e.g., development of even more lethal weapons of war).


# area

id: et
area_comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
total: 1,104,300 sq km
land: 1,096,570 sq km
water: 7,730 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> area numbers are approximate since a large portion of the Ethiopia-Somalia border is undefined


id: mp
area_comparative: almost 11 times the size of Washington, DC
total: 2,040 sq km
land: 2,030 sq km
water: 10 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), and Rodrigues


id: sh
area_comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
total: 394 sq km
land: 122 sq km Saint Helena Island
water: 0 sq km
note:
88 sq km Ascension Island, 184 sq km Tristan da Cunha island group (includes Tristan (98 sq km), Inaccessible, Nightingale, and Gough islands)


id: ay
area_comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
total: 14.2 million sq km
land: 14.2 million sq km (285,000 sq km ice-free, 13.915 million sq km ice-covered) (est.)
note:
<strong>note:</strong> fifth-largest continent, following Asia, Africa, North America, and South America, but larger than Australia and the subcontinent of Europe


id: fs
area_comparative:
<p><strong>Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> less than one-half the size of Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> more than 10 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Iles Crozet:</strong> about twice the size of Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Iles Kerguelen:</strong> slightly larger than Delaware; </p><p><strong>Bassas da India (Iles Eparses):</strong> land area about one-third the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Europa Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> about one-sixth the size of Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses):</strong> about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> about 1.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC</p>


id: cr
area_comparative: about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
total: 3 sq km less than
land: 3 sq km less than
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi) with the Willis Islets the most important


id: fm
area_comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
total: 702 sq km
land: 702 sq km
water: 0 sq km (fresh water only)
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)


id: kr
area_comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
total: 811 sq km
land: 811 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes three island groups - Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands - dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi)


id: nz
area_comparative: almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado
total: 268,838 sq km
land: 264,537 sq km
water: 4,301 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands


id: rm
area_comparative: about the size of Washington, DC
total: 181 sq km
land: 181 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km of lagoon waters and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik


id: um
land: 6,959.41 sq km (emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km)
area_comparative:
<p><strong>Baker Island:</strong> about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Howland Island:</strong> about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Jarvis Island:</strong> about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Johnston Atoll:</strong> about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Kingman Reef:</strong> a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands:</strong> about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC; </p><p><strong>Palmyra Atoll:</strong> about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC</p>

note:
<strong>Baker Island: </strong>total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km<br> <strong>Howland Island: </strong>total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km<br> <strong>Jarvis Island: </strong>total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km<br> <strong>Johnston Atoll: </strong>total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km<br> <strong>Kingman Reef: </strong>total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km<br> <strong>Midway Islands: </strong>total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km<br> <strong>Palmyra Atoll: </strong>total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km


id: wf
area_comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
total: 142 sq km
land: 142 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets


id: vi
area_comparative: about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
total: 151 sq km
land: 151 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke


id: ja
area_comparative: slightly smaller than California
total: 377,915 sq km
land: 364,485 sq km
water: 13,430 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto)


id: pg
area_comparative: land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
total: 5 sq km less than
land: 5 sq km less than
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) of the central South China Sea


id: da
area_comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts; about two-thirds the size of West Virginia
total: 43,094 sq km
land: 42,434 sq km
water: 660 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland


id: ee
area_comparative: less than one-half the size of the US
total: 4,236,351 sq km
note:
<strong>rank by area (sq km):<br></strong>1. France (includes five overseas regions) 643,801 <br>2. Spain 505,370 <br>3. Sweden 450,295 <br>4. Germany 357,022 <br>5. Finland 338,145 <br>6. Poland 312,685 <br>7. Italy 301,340<br>8. Romania 238,391 <br>9. Greece 131,957 <br>10. Bulgaria 110,879 <br>11. Hungary 93,028 <br>12. Portugal 92,090 <br>13. Austria 83,871 <br>14. Czechia 78,867 <br>15. Ireland 70,273 <br>16. Lithuania 65,300 <br>17. Latvia 64,589 <br>18. Croatia 56,594 <br>19. Slovakia 49,035 <br>20. Estonia 45,228 <br>21. Denmark 43,094 <br>22. Netherlands 41,543 <br>23. Belgium 30,528 <br>24. Slovenia 20,273 <br>25. Cyprus 9,251 <br>26. Luxembourg 2,586 <br>27. Malta 316


id: fr
area_comparative: slightly more than four times the size of Georgia; slightly less than the size of Texas
total: 643,801 sq km ; 551,500 sq km (metropolitan France)
land: 640,427 sq km ; 549,970 sq km (metropolitan France)
water: 3,374 sq km ; 1,530 sq km (metropolitan France)
note:
<strong>note:</strong> the first numbers include the overseas regions of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, and Reunion


id: sp
area_comparative: almost five times the size of Kentucky; slightly more than twice the size of Oregon
total: 505,370 sq km
land: 498,980 sq km
water: 6,390 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> there are two autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla - and 17 autonomous communities including Balearic Islands and Canary Islands, and three small Spanish possessions off the coast of Morocco - Islas Chafarinas, Penon de Alhucemas, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera


id: uk
area_comparative: twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon
total: 243,610 sq km
land: 241,930 sq km
water: 1,680 sq km
note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> the percentage area breakdown of the four UK countries is: England 53%, Scotland 32%, Wales 9%, and Northern Ireland 6%<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> includes Rockall and the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland


id: up
area_comparative: almost four times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Texas
total: 603,550 sq km
land: 579,330 sq km
water: 24,220 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> approximately 43,133 sq km, or about 7.1% of Ukraine's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Crimea and about one-third of both Luhans'k and Donets'k oblasts


id: aj
area_comparative: about three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Maine
total: 86,600 sq km
land: 82,629 sq km
water: 3,971 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991


id: gg
area_comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia
total: 69,700 sq km
land: 69,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti


id: we
area_comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware
total: 5,860 sq km
land: 5,640 sq km
water: 220 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967


id: ym
area_comparative: almost four times the size of Alabama; slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming
total: 527,968 sq km
land: 527,968 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Perim, Socotra, the former Yemen Arab Republic (YAR or North Yemen), and the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY or South Yemen)


id: us
total: 9,833,517 sq km
land: 9,147,593 sq km
water: 685,924 sq km
area_comparative:
about half the size of Russia; about three-tenths the size of Africa; about half the size of South America (or slightly larger than Brazil); slightly larger than China; more than twice the size of the European Union

note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes only the 50 states and District of Columbia, no overseas territories


id: oo
area_comparative: slightly more than twice the size of the US
total: 21.96 million sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Amundsen Sea, Bellingshausen Sea, part of the Drake Passage, Ross Sea, a small part of the Scotia Sea, Weddell Sea, and other tributary water bodies


id: xo
area_comparative: almost 7 times the size of the US
total: 70.56 million sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, Great Australian Bight, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, Mozambique Channel, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Savu Sea, Strait of Malacca, Timor Sea, and other tributary water bodies


id: xq
area_comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
total: 15.558 million sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, Norwegian Sea, and other tributary water bodies


id: zh
area_comparative: about 7.5 times the size of the US
total: 85.133 million sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Baffin Bay, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, part of the Drake Passage, Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Gulf of Mexico, Labrador Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, almost all of the Scotia Sea, and other tributary water bodies


id: zn
total: 168.723 million sq km
area_comparative:
about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world

note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Arafura Sea, Bali Sea, Banda Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Solomon Sea, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies


id: br
area_comparative: slightly smaller than the US
total: 8,515,770 sq km
land: 8,358,140 sq km
water: 157,630 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Arquipelago de Fernando de Noronha, Atol das Rocas, Ilha da Trindade, Ilhas Martin Vaz, and Penedos de Sao Pedro e Sao Paulo


id: fk
area_comparative: slightly smaller than Connecticut
total: 12,173 sq km
land: 12,173 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes the two main islands of East and West Falkland and about 200 small islands


id: sx
area_comparative: slightly larger than Rhode Island
total: 3,903 sq km
land: 3,903 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> includes Shag Rocks, Black Rock, Clerke Rocks, South Georgia Island, Bird Island, and the South Sandwich Islands, which consist of 11 islands


id: uy
total: 176,215 sq km
land: 175,015 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
area_comparative:
about the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington


# boundaries

id: ao
total: 5,369 km
border_countries:
Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province); Republic of the Congo 231 km; Namibia 1,427 km; Zambia 1,065 km


id: cd
total: 6,406 km
border_countries:
Cameroon 1,116 km; Central African Republic 1,556 km; Libya 1,050 km; Niger 1,196 km; Nigeria 85 km; Sudan 1,403 km


id: cf
total: 5,554 km
border_countries:
Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km


id: cg
total: 11,027 km
border_countries:
Angola 2,646 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of Angola's discontiguous Cabinda Province); Burundi 236 km; Central African Republic 1,747 km; Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Rwanda 221 km; South Sudan 714 km; Tanzania 479 km; Uganda 877 km; Zambia 2,332 km


id: cm
total: 5,018 km
border_countries:
Central African Republic 901 km; Chad 1,116 km; Republic of the Congo 494 km; Equatorial Guinea 183 km; Gabon 349 km; Nigeria 1975 km


id: ct
total: 5,920 km
border_countries:
Cameroon 901 km; Chad 1556 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km; South Sudan 1055 km; Sudan 174 km


id: et
total: 5,925 km
border_countries:
Djibouti 342 km; Eritrea 1,033 km; Kenya 867 km; Somalia 1,640 km; South Sudan 1,299 km; Sudan 744 km


id: gv
total: 4,046 km
border_countries:
Cote d'Ivoire 816 km; Guinea-Bissau 421 km; Liberia 590 km; Mali 1062 km; Senegal 363 km; Sierra Leone 794 km


id: ml
total: 7,908 km
border_countries:
Algeria 1,359 km; Burkina Faso 1,325 km; Cote d'Ivoire 599 km; Guinea 1,062 km; Mauritania 2,236 km; Niger 838 km, Senegal 489 km


id: mo
total: 3,523.5 km
border_countries: Algeria 1,941 km; Mauritania 1,564 km; Spain (Ceuta) 8 km and Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera


id: mz
total: 4,783 km
border_countries:
Malawi 1498 km; South Africa 496 km; Eswatini 108 km; Tanzania 840 km; Zambia 439 km; Zimbabwe 1,402 km


id: ng
total: 5,834 km
border_countries:
Algeria 951 km; Benin 277 km; Burkina Faso 622 km; Chad 1,196 km; Libya 342 km; Mali 838 km; Nigeria 1,608 km


id: od
total: 6,018 km
border_countries:
Central African Republic 1,055 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 714 km; Ethiopia 1,299 km; Kenya 317 km; Sudan 2,158 km; Uganda 475 km

note:
<strong>note:</strong> South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan


id: sf
total: 5,244 km
border_countries:
Botswana 1,969 km; Lesotho 1,106 km; Mozambique 496 km; Namibia 1,005 km; Eswatini 438 km; Zimbabwe 230 km


id: su
total: 6,819 km
border_countries:
Central African Republic 174 km; Chad 1,403 km; Egypt 1,276 km; Eritrea 682 km; Ethiopia 744 km; Libya 382 km; South Sudan 2,158 km

note:
<strong>note:</strong> Sudan-South Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment; final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation; final sovereignty status of Abyei region pending negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan


id: tz
total: 4,161 km
border_countries:
Burundi 589 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 479 km; Kenya 775 km; Malawi 512 km; Mozambique 840 km; Rwanda 222 km; Uganda 391 km; Zambia 353 km


id: ug
total: 2,729 km
border_countries:
Democratic Republic of the Congo 877 km; Kenya 814 km; Rwanda 172 km; South Sudan 475 km; Tanzania 391 km


id: za
total: 6,043.15 km
border_countries:
Angola 1,065 km; Botswana 0.15 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,332 km; Malawi 847 km; Mozambique 439 km; Namibia 244 km; Tanzania 353 km; Zimbabwe 763 km


id: rs
total: 22,407 km
border_countries:
Azerbaijan 338 km; Belarus 1,312 km; China (southeast) 4,133 km and China (south) 46 km; Estonia 324 km; Finland 1,309 km; Georgia 894 km; Kazakhstan 7,644 km; North Korea 18 km; Latvia 332 km; Lithuania (Kaliningrad Oblast) 261 km; Mongolia 3,452 km; Norway 191 km; Poland (Kaliningrad Oblast) 209 km; Ukraine 1,944 km


id: uz
total: 6,893 km
border_countries:
Afghanistan 144 km; Kazakhstan 2,330 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,314 km; Tajikistan 1,312 km; Turkmenistan 1,793 km


id: ch
total: 22,457 km
border_countries:
Afghanistan 91 km; Bhutan 477 km; Burma 2,129 km; India 2,659 km; Kazakhstan 1,765 km; North Korea 1,352 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,063 km; Laos 475 km; Mongolia 4,630 km; Nepal 1,389 km; Pakistan 438 km; Russia (northeast) 4,133 km and Russia (northwest) 46 km; Tajikistan 477 km; Vietnam 1,297 km


id: au
total: 2,524 km
border_countries:
Czech Republic 402 km; Germany 801 km; Hungary 321 km; Italy 404 km; Liechtenstein 34 km; Slovakia 105 km; Slovenia 299 km; Switzerland 158 km


id: ee
total: 13,770 km
note: <strong>note:</strong> data for European continent only
border_countries:
Albania 212 km; Andorra 118 km; Belarus 1,176 km; Bosnia and Herzegovina 956 km; Holy See 3 km; Liechtenstein 34 km; North Macedonia 396 km; Moldova 683 km; Monaco 6 km; Montenegro 19 km; Norway 2,375 km; Russia 2,435 km; San Marino 37 km; Serbia 1,353 km; Switzerland 1,729 km; Turkey 415 km; United Kingdom 499 km; Ukraine 1,324 km; note - the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement (2020) commits the United Kingdom (UK) to maintain an open border in Ireland, so the border between Northern Ireland (UK) and the Republic of Ireland is only<em> de jure</em> and is not a hard border; the <em>de facto</em> border is the Irish Sea between the islands of Ireland and Great Britain


id: fr
total: 3,956 km
border_countries:
Andorra 55 km; Belgium 556 km; Germany 418 k; Italy 476 km; Luxembourg 69 km; Monaco 6 km; Spain 646 km; Switzerland 525 km


id: gm
total: 3,694 km
border_countries:
Austria 801 km; Belgium 133 km; Czechia 704 km; Denmark 140 km; France 418 km; Luxembourg 128 km; Netherlands 575 km; Poland 447 km; Switzerland 348 km


id: hu
total: 2,106 km
border_countries:
Austria 321 km; Croatia 348 km; Romania 424 km; Serbia 164 km; Slovakia 627 km; Slovenia 94 km; Ukraine 128 km


id: it
total: 1,836.4 km
border_countries:
Austria 404 km; France 476 km; Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km; San Marino 37 km; Slovenia 218 km; Switzerland 698 km


id: pl
total: 2,865 km
border_countries:
Belarus 375 km; Czechia 699 km; Germany 467 km; Lithuania 100 km, Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast) 209 km; Slovakia 517 km; Ukraine 498 km


id: ri
total: 2,322 km
border_countries:
Bosnia and Herzegovina 345 km; Bulgaria 344 km; Croatia 314 km; Hungary 164 km; Kosovo 366 km; North Macedonia 101 km; Montenegro 157 km; Romania 531 km


id: sp
total: 1,952.7 km
border_countries:
Andorra 63 km; France 646 km; Gibraltar 1.2 km; Portugal 1,224 km; Morocco (Ceuta) 8 km and Morocco (Melilla) 10.5 km

note:
<strong>note:</strong> an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera


id: up
total: 5,581 km
border_countries:
Belarus 1,111 km; Hungary 128 km; Moldova 1,202 km; Poland 498 km; Romania 601 km; Russia 1,944 km, Slovakia 97 km


id: ir
total: 5,894 km
border_countries:
Afghanistan 921 km; Armenia 44 km; Azerbaijan 689 km; Iraq 1,599 km; Pakistan 959 km; Turkey 534 km; Turkmenistan 1,148 km


id: is
total: 1,068 km
border_countries:
Egypt 208 km; Gaza Strip 59 km; Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea); Lebanon 81 km; Syria 83 km; West Bank 330 km


id: tu
total: 2,816 km
border_countries:
Armenia 311 km; Azerbaijan 17 km; Bulgaria 223 km; Georgia 273 km; Greece 192 km; Iran 534 km; Iraq 367 km; Syria 899 km


id: us
total: 12,002 km
border_countries: Canada 8,891 km (including 2,475 km with Alaska); Mexico 3,111 km
note:
<strong>note:</strong> US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is leased by the US and is part of Cuba; the base boundary is 28.5 km


id: br
total: 16,145 km
border_countries:
Argentina 1,263 km; Bolivia 3,403 km; Colombia 1,790 km; French Guiana 649 km; Guyana 1,308 km; Paraguay 1,371 km; Peru 2,659 km; Suriname 515 km; Uruguay 1,050 km; Venezuela 2,137 km


id: af
total: 5,987 km
border_countries:
China 91 km; Iran 921 km; Pakistan 2,670 km; Tajikistan 1,357 km; Turkmenistan 804 km; Uzbekistan 144 km


id: in
total: 13,888 km
border_countries:
Bangladesh 4,142 km; Bhutan 659 km; Burma 1,468 km; China 2,659 km; Nepal 1,770 km; Pakistan 3,190 km


# country_map

id: ag
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Algeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: ao
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Angola map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: bn
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Benin map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bight of Benin.</p>


id: cf
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: cg
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Democratic Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p> <p> </p>


id: cm
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Cameroon map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bight of Benin.</p>


id: cv
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Cabo Verde map showing the many islands that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: dj
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Djibouti map showing the capital and major towns, as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Aden.</p>


id: eg
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Egypt map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Red Seas.</p>


id: ek
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Equatorial Guinea map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.</p>


id: ga
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>The Gambia map showing the country surrounded by Senegal except to the west where the Gambia River empties into the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: gb
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Gabon map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: gh
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Ghana map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.</p>


id: gv
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Guinea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: iv
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Cote d’Ivoire map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.</p>


id: ke
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Kenya map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: li
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Liberia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p> <p> </p>


id: lt
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Lesotho map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by South Africa.</p>


id: ly
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Libya map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p> <p> </p>


id: mo
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Morocco map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Note that in 2020 the US recognized Western Sahara as part of Morocco.</p>


id: mr
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Mauritania map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: mz
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Mozambique map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: ni
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Nigeria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.</p>


id: pu
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Guinea-Bissau map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: se
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Seychelles map showing the major islands and atolls that comprise this country in the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: sf
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>South Africa map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian and South Atlantic Oceans.</p>


id: sg
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Senegal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: sh
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha map showing the various islands that comprise this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: sl
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Sierra Leone map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: so
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Somalia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.</p>


id: su
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Sudan showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Red Sea.</p>


id: to
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Togo map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bight of Benin.</p>


id: tp
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Sao Tome and Principe map showing the islands that make up this country in the Gulf of Guinea.</p>


id: ts
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Tunisia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: tz
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Tanzania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: ug
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Uganda map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and Lake Victoria.</p>


id: wa
map_ref: Africa
map_description:
<p>Namibia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: ay
map_ref: Antarctic Region
map_description:
<p>Map of Antarctica showing the continent and its major regions (Lands) surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Also shown are two of the US research stations, McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott, not shown is Palmer Station located on the Antarctic Peninsula. </p>


id: bv
map_ref: Antarctic Region
map_description:
<p>Bouvet Island map showing the island – a territory of Norway – situated in the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: fs
map_ref: Antarctic RegionAfrica
map_description:
<p>French Southern and Antarctic Lands map showing the many scattered Indian Ocean islands that make up French territory in the South Pacific Ocean. The French Antarctic claim is not shown.</p>


id: hm
map_ref: Antarctic Region
map_description:
<p>Heard Island and McDonald Islands map shows the position of this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: aq
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Map of American Samoa showing the islands that together comprise this US territory and its relative location in the South Pacific Ocean; an inset provides detail of the major island of Tutuila with the capital Pago Pago.</p>


id: at
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Ashmore and Cartier Islands map showing the islands and reefs that make up this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: bp
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
Solomon Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.


id: cq
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Northern Mariana Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelago in the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: fm
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Federated States of Micronesia map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: fp
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>French Polynesia map showing the many islands that make up the overseas French land in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: kr
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Kiribati map showing the extent of the three island groups that comprise Kiribati and that straddle both sides of the Equator.</p>


id: nc
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>New Caledonia map showing the various islands that comprise this French territorial archipelago in the Coral Sea.</p>


id: nh
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Vanuatu map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: nz
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>New Zealand map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: pc
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Pitcairn Islands map showing the scattered islands in the South Pacific Ocean and an inset of Pitcairn Island itself.</p>


id: rm
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Marshall Islands map showing the major islands of this archipelagic country in the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: tl
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Tokelau map shows the three atolls that make up this New Zealand territory in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: tn
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Tonga map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: tv
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Tuvalu map showing the major islands that make up this island group in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: um
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges map showing the central Pacific Ocean with seven insets highlighting the many islands that make up the United States Pacific Wildlife Refuges.</p>


id: wf
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Wallis and Futuna map showing the islands that make up this French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: wq
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Wake Island map showing the three component islands and surrounding reef that make up the US territory in the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: ws
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Samoa map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: av
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Anguilla map showing the major island of Anguilla and its nearby small islands that comprise this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: bf
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>The Bahamas map showing the many islands and cays that make up the country in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: bh
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Belize map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: cs
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Costa Rica map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: dr
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Dominican Republic map shows the country’s border with Haiti and its position in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: es
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>El Salvador map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: gt
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Guatemala map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: ha
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Haiti map shows the country’s border with the Dominican Republic and its position in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: ho
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Honduras map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: mh
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Montserrat map showing some of the major features of this UK island territory in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: nn
map_ref: <p>Central America and the Caribbean</p>
map_description:
<p>Sint Maarten map showing some of the major features of this part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean Sea.</p> <p> </p>


id: nu
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Nicaragua map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: pm
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Panama map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: rn
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Saint Martin map showing major population centers of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: rq
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Puerto Rico map showing major population centers and islands of this US territory in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: sc
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Saint Kitts and Nevis map shows a few of the major features on these two islands in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: tb
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Saint Barthelemy map showing the islands of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: td
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Trinidad and Tobago map showing the major population centers of these islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: tk
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Turks and Caicos Islands map showing the major islands that make up this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: vc
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: vi
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>British Virgin Islands map showing the many islands that make up this UK territory in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: vq
map_ref: Central America and the Caribbean
map_description:
<p>Virgin Islands map showing the three major islands that make up the US territory in the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: kz
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Kazakhstan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.</p>


id: tx
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Turkmenistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.</p>


id: uz
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Uzbekistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries.</p> <p> </p>


id: bm
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Burma map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Andaman Sea.</p>


id: bx
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Brunei map showing major cities and towns as well as neighboring Malaysia and the North China Sea.</p>


id: cb
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Cambodia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Thailand.</p>


id: ch
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>China map showing major cities as well as the many bordering East Asian countries and neighboring seas.</p>


id: hk
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Hong Kong map showing major districts of this special administrative region of China that extends into the South China Sea.</p>


id: id
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Indonesia map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic country as well as parts of surrounding countries.</p> <p> </p>


id: ja
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Japan map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic Pacific Ocean country as well as parts of surrounding countries.</p>


id: kn
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>North Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.</p>


id: ks
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>South Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.</p>


id: mc
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Macau map showing major districts of this special administrative region of China that extends into the South China Sea.</p>


id: mg
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Mongolia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – Russia to the north and China to the south.</p>


id: my
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Malaysia map showing the major cities of the two main parts of the country along the South China Sea.</p>


id: pg
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Spratly Islands map showing the major islands and reefs of this archipelago in the South China Sea.</p>


id: pp
map_ref: Oceania
map_description:
<p>Papua New Guinea map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic Pacific Ocean country as well as parts of neighboring countries.</p>


id: sn
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Singapore map showing major districts of this city-state surrounded by Malaysia and the Singapore Strait.</p>


id: th
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Thailand map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Thailand.</p>


id: tt
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Timor Leste map showing the major population centers of this country on the eastern end of the island of Timor in the Timor Sea.</p>


id: vm
map_ref: Southeast Asia
map_description:
<p>Vietnam map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and adjacent water bodies.</p>


id: be
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Belgium map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Sea.</p>


id: bk
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Bosnia and Herzegovina map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea.</p>


id: bu
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Bulgaria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.</p>


id: da
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Denmark map showing major cities and the country in relation to neighboring countries and water bodies.</p>


id: dx
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Dhekelia map showing the UK Sovereign Base Area as well as the adjacent part of southeast Cyprus.</p>


id: en
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Estonia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: fi
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Finland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: fo
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Faroe Islands map showing the many islands that make up this part of Denmark in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: fr
map_description: <p>France map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.</p>
map_ref:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> Europe; </p><p><strong>French Guiana:</strong> South America; </p><p><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Central America and the Caribbean; </p><p><strong>Martinique:</strong> Central America and the Caribbean; </p><p><strong>Mayotte:</strong> Africa; </p><p><strong>Reunion:</strong> World</p>


id: gi
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Gibraltar map showing major populated areas and significant features on this UK peninsular territory that projects into the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: gk
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Guernsey map showing the islands that make up this British crown dependency in the English Channel.</p> <p> </p>


id: gm
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Germany showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North and Baltic Seas.</p>


id: hr
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Croatia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea.</p>


id: im
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Isle of Man map showing the major population centers of this UK crown dependency in the Irish Sea.</p>


id: lg
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Latvia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: lh
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Lithuania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: ls
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Liechtenstein map showing major population centers of this landlocked country surrounded by Switzerland and Austria.</p>


id: mj
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Montenegro map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea.</p>


id: mk
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>North Macedonia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.</p>


id: mn
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Monaco map identifies some of the major sites of the microstate surrounded by France and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: mt
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Malta map showing the major population centers of this archipelagic country in the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: nl
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Netherlands map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Sea.</p>


id: no
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Norway map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Norwegian and North Seas.</p>


id: pl
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Poland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: po
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Portugal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: ro
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Romania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.</p>


id: si
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Slovenia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Venice.</p>


id: sp
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Spain map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea and Bay of Biscay.</p> <p> </p>


id: sv
map_ref: Arctic Region
map_description:
<p>Svalbard map showing the major population centers and islands of this Norwegian territory in the Arctic Ocean.</p> <p> </p>


id: sw
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Sweden map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.</p>


id: uk
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>United Kingdom map showing the British Isles (including Northern Ireland) situated in the North Sea.</p>


id: up
map_ref: AsiaEurope
map_description:
<p>Ukraine map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.</p>


id: vt
map_ref: Europe
map_description:
<p>Holy See (Vatican City) map identifies some of the major structures in this entity surrounded by Italy (Rome).</p>


id: ae
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>United Arab Emirates map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.</p> <p> </p>


id: aj
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Azerbaijan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.</p>


id: gg
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Georgia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.</p>


id: gz
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Gaza Strip showing major populated areas as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: ir
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Iran map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.</p>


id: is
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Israel map showing major cities and significant features including - but not limited to - Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank. Note that in 2017 the US recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and in 2019 recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.</p>


id: iz
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Iraq map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf.</p>


id: ku
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Kuwait map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf.</p>


id: le
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Lebanon map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: mu
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Oman map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman.</p>


id: qa
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Qatar map showing major population centers and neighboring countries of this peninsular country that extends into the Persian Gulf.</p>


id: sa
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Saudi Arabia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.</p>


id: sy
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Syria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>


id: tu
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Turkey (Turkiye) map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Black Seas.</p>


id: we
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>West Bank map showing its major population centers as well as parts of the two countries that surround it – Israel to the west and Jordan to the east.</p>


id: ym
map_ref: Middle East
map_description:
<p>Yemen map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.</p>


id: ca
map_ref: North America
map_description:
<p>Canada map showing the country positioned in northern North America between the North Pacific, Arctic, and North Atlantic Oceans.</p>


id: gl
map_ref: Arctic Region
map_description:
<p>Greenland map showing the massive island that makes up this part of Denmark in the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: mx
map_ref: North America
map_description:
<p>Mexico map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and bodies of water.</p>


id: sb
map_ref: North America
map_description:
<p>Saint Pierre and Miquelon map showing the two islands that make up this French territorial overseas collectivity in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.</p>


id: us
map_ref: North America
map_description:
<p>United States map showing the United States – including Alaska and Hawaii – within northern North America. Most major US cities are indicated.</p>


id: oo
map_ref: Antarctic Region
map_description:
<p>Southern Ocean map showing the extent of the Ocean – up to 60 degrees south latitude - surrounding Antarctica.</p>


id: xo
map_ref: Political Map of the World
map_description:
<p>Indian Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.</p>


id: xq
map_ref: Arctic Region
map_description:
<p>Arctic Ocean map centered on the North Pole showing the major sea routes along the outer edges of the Ocean.</p>


id: zh
map_ref: Political Map of the World
map_description:
<p>Atlantic Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.</p>


id: zn
map_ref: Political Map of the World
map_description:
<p>Pacific Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.</p>


id: ar
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Argentina map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: br
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Brazil map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: ci
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Chile map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: co
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Colombia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: ec
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Ecuador map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: fk
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: gy
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Guyana map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p> <p> </p>


id: ns
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Suriname map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: pe
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Peru map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Pacific Ocean.</p>


id: sx
map_ref: Antarctic Region
map_description:
<p>South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands map showing the islands that make up this UK territory in the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: uy
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Uruguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.</p>


id: ve
map_ref: South America
map_description:
<p>Venezuela map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea.</p>


id: bg
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Bangladesh map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Bay of Bengal.</p>


id: in
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>India map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: io
map_ref: Political Map of the World
map_description:
<p>British Indian Ocean Territory map showing the six island groups and the island of Diego Garcia that make up this UK Territory in the Indian Ocean.</p>


id: np
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Nepal map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – China to the north, India to the south.</p>


id: pk
map_ref: Asia
map_description:
<p>Pakistan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Arabian Sea.</p>


id: xx
map_ref: Physical Map of the World
map_description:
World map shown in a cylindrical equal area projection, oblique case view with each of the seven continents labeled.


# country_resources

id: fs
resource: FIS
note:
<strong>note:</strong> in the 1950's and 1960's, several species of trout were introduced to Iles Kerguelen of which two, Brown trout and Brook trout, survived to establish wild populations; reindeer were also introduced to Iles Kerguelen in 1956 as a source of fresh meat for whaling crews, the herd today, one of two in the Southern Hemisphere, is estimated to number around 4,000


id: us
resource: COA
note:
<strong>note 1: </strong>the US has the world's largest coal reserves with 491 billion short tons accounting for 27% of the world's total<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources: Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details


# elevation

id: by
lowest_point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
mean_elevation: 1,504 m
highest_point:
unnamed elevation on Mukike Range 2,685 m<br>note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation


id: sh
lowest_point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest_point:
Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m; Green Mountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Diana's Peak on Saint Helena Island 818 m


id: ay
highest_point: Vinson Massif 4,892 m
lowest_point: Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m (-11,500 ft) below sea level
mean_elevation: 2,300 m
note:
<strong>note:</strong> the lowest known land point in Antarctica is hidden in the Denman Glacier; at its surface is the deepest ice yet discovered and the world's lowest elevation not under seawater


id: fs
highest_point: Mont de la Dives on Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 867 m
lowest_point: Indian Ocean 0 m
note:
<strong>highest points throughout the French Southern and Antarctic Lands: </strong>unnamed location on Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul) 272 m; Pic Marion-Dufresne in Iles Crozet 1090 m; Mont Ross in Iles Kerguelen 1850 m; unnamed location on Bassas de India (Iles Eparses) 2.4 m;24 unnamed location on Europa Island (Iles Eparses) 24 m; unnamed location on Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses) 12 m; unnamed location on Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses) 10 m; unnamed location on Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses) 7 m


id: nz
lowest_point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean_elevation: 388 m
highest_point:
Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724 m; note - the mountain's height was 3,764 m until 14 December 1991 when it lost about 10 m in an avalanche of rock and ice; erosion of the ice cap since then has brought the height down another 30 m


id: um
lowest_point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest_point:
Baker Island, unnamed location 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location less than 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location 3 m


id: mh
lowest_point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest_point:
Soufriere Hills volcano pre-eruption height was 915 m; current lava dome is subject to periodic build up and collapse; estimated dome height was 1,050 m in 2015


id: tx
highest_point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m
mean_elevation: 230 m
lowest_point:
Vpadina Akchanaya (Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya, the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) -81 m


id: fr
highest_point: Mont Blanc 4,810
lowest_point: Rhone River delta -2 m
mean_elevation: 375 m
note:
<strong>note:</strong> to assess the possible effects of climate change on the ice and snow cap of Mont Blanc, its surface and peak have been extensively measured in recent years; these new peak measurements have exceeded the traditional height of 4,807 m and have varied between 4,808 m and 4,811 m; the actual rock summit is 4,792 m and is 40 m away from the ice-covered summit


id: gr
highest_point: Mount Olympus 2,917
lowest_point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
mean_elevation: 498 m
note:
<strong>note:</strong> Mount Olympus actually has 52 peaks but its highest point, Mytikas (meaning "nose"), rises to 2,917 meters; in Greek mythology, Olympus' Mytikas peak was the home of the Greek gods


id: jn
highest_point: Haakon VII Toppen on Beerenberg 2,277
lowest_point: Norwegian Sea 0 m
note:
<strong>note:</strong> Beerenberg volcano has numerous peaks; the highest point on the volcano rim is named Haakon VII Toppen, after Norway's first king following the reestablishment of Norwegian independence in 1905


id: nl
lowest_point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m
mean_elevation: 30 m
note: <strong>note:</strong> the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at 322 m
highest_point:
Mount Scenery (on the island of Saba in the Caribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlands following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles) 862 m


id: is
lowest_point: Dead Sea -431 m
mean_elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights
highest_point:
Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range


id: us
highest_point: Denali 6,190 m (Mount McKinley) (highest point in North America)
lowest_point: Death Valley (lowest point in North America) -86 m
mean_elevation: 760 m
note:
<strong>note: </strong>Denali is one of the most striking features on the entire planet; at 20,310 feet, it is the crowning peak of the Alaska Range and the highest mountain on North America; it towers three and one-half vertical miles above its base, making it a mile taller from base to summit than Mt. Everest; Denali's base sits at about 2,000 feet above sea level and rises over three and one-half miles to its 20,310 foot summit; Everest begins on a 14,000-foot high plain, then summits at 29,028 feet.<strong><br>note:</strong> the peak of Mauna Kea (4,207 m above sea level) on the island of Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; by this measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher than Mount Everest (8,850 m), which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sea level


id: zn
highest_point: sea level
lowest_point:
Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m<br>note - the Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean basin


id: ar
mean_elevation: 595 m
highest_point:
Cerro Aconcagua (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America) 6,962 m

lowest_point:
Laguna del Carbon (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m


id: ec
highest_point: Chimborazo 6,267
lowest_point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean_elevation: 1,117 m
note:
<strong>note:</strong> because the earth is not a perfect sphere and has an equatorial bulge, the highest point on the planet farthest from its center is Mount Chimborazo not Mount Everest, which is merely the highest peak above sea level


id: xx
highest_point: Mount Everest
mean_elevation: 840 m
lowest_point:
Denman Glacier (Antarctica) more than -3,500 m (in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the Pacific Ocean)

note:
<strong>top ten highest mountains (measured from sea level):</strong> Mount Everest (China-Nepal) 8,849 m; K2 (Pakistan) 8,611 m; Kanchenjunga (India-Nepal) 8,598 m; Lhotse (Nepal) 8,516 m; Makalu (China-Nepal) 8,463 m; Cho Oyu (China-Nepal) 8,201 m; Dhaulagiri (Nepal) 8,167 m; Manaslu (Nepal) 8,163 m; Nanga Parbat (Pakistan) 8,125 m; Anapurna (Nepal) 8,091 m; <strong>note -</strong> Mauna Kea (United States) is the world's tallest mountain as measured from base to summit; the peak of this volcanic colossus lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m; total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m <br><br><strong>top ten highest island peaks:</strong> Puncak Jaya (New Guinea) 4,884 m (Indonesia)*; Mauna Kea (Hawaii) 4,207 m (United States); Gunung Kinabalu (Borneo) 4,095 m (Malaysia)*; Yu Shan (Taiwan) 3,952 (Taiwan)*; Mount Kerinci (Sumatra) 3,805 m (Indonesia); Mount Erebus (Ross Island) 3,794 (Antarctica); Mount Fuji (Honshu) 3,776 m (Japan)*; Mount Rinjani (Lombok) 3,726 m (Indonesia); Aoraki-Mount Cook (South Island) 3,724 m (New Zealand)*; Pico de Teide (Tenerife) 3,718 m (Spain)*; <strong>note -</strong> * indicates the highest peak for that Factbook entry <br><br><strong>highest point on each continent:</strong> Asia - Mount Everest (China-Nepal) 8,849 m; South America - Cerro Aconcagua (Argentina) 6,960 m; North America - Denali (Mount McKinley) (United States) 6,190 m; Africa - Kilimanjaro (Tanzania) 5,895 m; Europe - El'brus (Russia) 5,633 m; Antarctica - Vinson Massif 4,897 m; Australia - Mount Kosciuszko 2,229 m <br><br><strong>highest capital on each continent:</strong> South America - La Paz (Bolivia) 3,640 m; Africa - Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) 2,355 m; Asia - Thimphu (Bhutan) 2,334 m; North America - Mexico City (Mexico) 2,240 m; Europe - Andorra la Vella (Andorra) 1,023 m; Australia - Canberra (Australia) 605 m <br><br><strong>lowest point on each continent:</strong> Antarctica - Denman Glacier more than -3,500 m; Asia - Dead Sea (Israel-Jordan) -431 m; Africa - Lac Assal (Djibouti) -155 m; South America - Laguna del Carbon (Argentina) -105 m; North America - Death Valley (United States) -86 m; Europe - Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Russia) -28 m; Australia - Lake Eyre -15 <br><br><strong>lowest capital on each continent:</strong> Asia - Baku (Azerbaijan) -28 m; Europe - Amsterdam (Netherlands) -2 m; Africa - Banjul (Gambia); Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Conakry (Guinea), Djibouti (Djibouti), Libreville (Gabon), Male (Maldives), Monrovia (Liberia), Tunis (Tunisia), Victoria (Seychelles) 0 m; North America - Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Panama City (Panama), Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago), Roseau (Dominica), Saint John's (Antigua and Barbuda), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) 0 m; South America - Georgetown (Guyana) 0 m; Australia - Canberra (Australia) 605 m


# geography

id: ag
location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Morocco and Tunisia
coordinates: 28 00 N, 3 00 E
coastline: 998 km
irrigated_land: 13,600 sq km (2014)
natural_hazards: mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season; droughts
climate:
arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer

terrain:
mostly high plateau and desert; Atlas Mountains in the far north and Hoggar Mountains in the south; narrow, discontinuous coastal plain

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

major_aquifers:
Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin, North Western Sahara Aquifer, Taoudeni-Tanezrouft Basin

population_distribution:
the vast majority of the populace is found in the extreme northern part of the country along the Mediterranean Coast as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
largest country in Africa but 80% desert; canyons and caves in the southern Hoggar Mountains and in the barren Tassili n'Ajjer area in the southeast of the country contain numerous examples of prehistoric art - rock paintings and carvings depicting human activities and wild and domestic animals (elephants, giraffes, cattle) - that date to the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, when the region was completely vegetated


id: ao
coordinates: 12 30 S, 18 30 E
coastline: 1,600 km
terrain: narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau
irrigated_land: 860 sq km (2014)
major_aquifers: Congo Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
natural_hazards: locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
location:
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

climate:
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

major_rivers:
Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Okavango river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

population_distribution:
most people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo


id: bc
location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
irrigated_land: 20 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
geography_note: landlocked; population concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country
major_rivers:
<p>Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth</p>

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

population_distribution:
the population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility


id: bn
location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E
coastline: 121 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
irrigated_land: 230 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
geography_note: sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
population_distribution:
the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west at shown in this population distribution map


id: by
location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of Tanzania
coordinates: 3 30 S, 30 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
terrain: hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains
irrigated_land: 230 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km
natural_hazards: flooding; landslides; drought
climate:
equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees Celsius but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

population_distribution:
one of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile


id: cd
location: Central Africa, south of Libya
coordinates: 15 00 N, 19 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical in south, desert in north
terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south
irrigated_land: 300 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Nubian Aquifer System
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km<br>note - area varies by season and year to year

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

population_distribution:
the population is unevenly distributed due to contrasts in climate and physical geography; the highest density is found in the southwest, particularly around Lake Chad and points south; the dry Saharan zone to the north is the least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> Chad is the largest of Africa's 16 landlocked countries</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> not long ago - geologically speaking - what is today the Sahara was green savannah teeming with wildlife; during the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, a vibrant animal community, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and antelope lived there; the last remnant of the "Green Sahara" exists in the Lakes of Ounianga (oo-nee-ahn-ga) in northern Chad, a series of 18 interconnected freshwater, saline, and hypersaline lakes now protected as a World Heritage site</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> Lake Chad, the most significant water body in the Sahel, is a remnant of a former inland sea, paleolake Mega-Chad; at its greatest extent, sometime before 5000 B.C., Lake Mega-Chad was the largest of four Saharan paleolakes that existed during the African Humid Period; it covered an area of about 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq mi), roughly the size of today's Caspian Sea</p>


id: cf
location: Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
coastline: 169 km
terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
irrigated_land: 20 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
major_aquifers: Congo Basin
natural_hazards: seasonal flooding
geography_note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
climate:
tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator

major_rivers:
Ubangi (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map


id: cg
location: Central Africa, northeast of Angola
coordinates: 0 00 N, 25 00 E
coastline: 37 km
terrain: vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east
irrigated_land: 110 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Congo Basin
climate:
tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator - wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator - wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October)

fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Tanganyika (shared with Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Zambia) - 4,350 sq km; Lac Mai-Ndombe - 2,300 sq km; Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) - 2,220 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Uganda) - 2,150 sq km; Lac Tumba - 500 sq km; Lac Upemba - 530 sq km

major_rivers:
Congo river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

population_distribution:
urban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); active volcanoes in the east along the Great Rift Valley</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Nyiragongo (3,470 m), which erupted in 2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to the city of Goma, home to a quarter million people; the volcano produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km /hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira, which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is the only other historically active volcano</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Ocean</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world; estimates of its greatest depth vary between 220 and 250 meters</p>


id: cm
location: Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
coastline: 402 km
climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
irrigated_land: 290 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lake Chad Basin
terrain:
diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north

fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Chad) - 10,360-25,900 sq km<br>note - area varies by season and year to year

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), Niger (2,261,741 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

population_distribution:
population concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Mt. Cameroon (4,095 m), which last erupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in West Africa; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels of gas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986</p>

geography_note:
sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano


id: cn
coordinates: 12 10 S, 44 15 E
coastline: 340 km
climate: tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
terrain: volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
irrigated_land: 1.3 sq km (2012)
location:
Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

population_distribution:
the capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Karthala (2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud</p>

geography_note:
important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere


id: ct
location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
terrain: vast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Congo Basin, Lake Chad Basin
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
geography_note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
major_rivers:
Ubangi river source (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

population_distribution:
majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui as shown in this population distribution map


id: cv
location: Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal
coordinates: 16 00 N, 24 00 W
coastline: 965 km
climate: temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic
terrain: steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic
irrigated_land: 35 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
among the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Fogo (2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano</p>

geography_note:
strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal)


id: dj
location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia
coordinates: 11 30 N, 43 00 E
coastline: 314 km
climate: desert; torrid, dry
terrain: coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Abhe Bad/Abhe Bid Hayk (shared with Ethiopia) - 780 sq km
population_distribution:
most densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, with a population over 600,000; no other city in the country has a total population over 50,000 as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (298 m) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active</p>

geography_note:
strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world


id: eg
coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E
coastline: 2,450 km
climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters
terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta
irrigated_land: 36,500 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km<br>note - largest of Nile Delta lakes
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
major_aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System
location:
Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula

major_rivers:
Nile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms

geography_note:
<strong>note:</strong> controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories


id: ek
location: Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E
coastline: 296 km
climate: tropical; always hot, humid
terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
irrigated_land: NA
population_distribution:
only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>violent windstorms; flash floods</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea</p>

geography_note:
insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator


id: er
location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Djibouti and Sudan
coordinates: 15 00 N, 39 00 E
coastline: 2,234 km (mainland on Red Sea 1,151 km, islands in Red Sea 1,083 km)
irrigated_land: 210 sq km (2012)
climate:
hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands

terrain:
dominated by extension of Ethiopian north-south trending highlands, descending on the east to a coastal desert plain, on the northwest to hilly terrain and on the southwest to flat-to-rolling plains

population_distribution:
density is highest in the center of the country in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>frequent droughts, rare earthquakes and volcanoes; locust swarms</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Dubbi (1,625 m), which last erupted in 1861, was the country's only historically active volcano until Nabro (2,218 m) came to life on 12 June 2011</p>

geography_note:
strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993


id: et
location: Eastern Africa, west of Somalia
coordinates: 8 00 N, 38 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical monsoon with wide topographic-induced variation
terrain: high plateau with central mountain range divided by Great Rift Valley
irrigated_land: 2,900 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Tana - 3,600 sq km; Abaya Hayk - 1,160 sq km; Ch'amo Hayk - 550 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
major_aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer)
salted_water_lakes:
Lake Turkana (shared with Kenya) - 6,400 sq km; Abhe Bid Hayk/Abhe Bad (shared with Djibouti) - 780 sq km;&nbsp;

major_rivers:
Blue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
highest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> volcanic activity in the Great Rift Valley; Erta Ale (613 m), which has caused frequent lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano; Dabbahu became active in 2005, forcing evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol, Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir</p>

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; Ethiopia is, therefore, the most populous landlocked country in the world; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> three major crops may have originated in Ethiopia: coffee (almost certainly), grain sorghum, and castor bean


id: ga
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
coordinates: 13 28 N, 16 34 W
coastline: 80 km
climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
terrain: flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
irrigated_land: 50 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin
natural_hazards: droughts
geography_note: almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the African mainland
major_rivers:
Gambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
settlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul, and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map


id: gb
coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
coastline: 885 km
climate: tropical; always hot, humid
terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
irrigated_land: 40 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
major_aquifers: Congo Basin
natural_hazards: none
location:
Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea

population_distribution:
the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity


id: gh
location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
coordinates: 8 00 N, 2 00 W
coastline: 539 km
terrain: mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
irrigated_land: 340 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km)
natural_hazards: dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March; droughts
climate:
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north

major_rivers:
Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
population is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations being on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake (manmade reservoir) by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi); the lake was created following the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, which holds back the White Volta and Black Volta Rivers


id: gv
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
coordinates: 11 00 N, 10 00 W
coastline: 320 km
terrain: generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
irrigated_land: 950 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
geography_note: the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands
climate:
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

major_rivers:
Niger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambia river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
areas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map


id: iv
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
coastline: 515 km
terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
irrigated_land: 730 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Lagune Aby - 780 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
climate:
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)

population_distribution:
the population is primarily located in the forested south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the northern savanna remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations located along transportation corridors as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible

geography_note:
most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated


id: ke
location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
coordinates: 1 00 N, 38 00 E
coastline: 536 km
climate: varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior
terrain: low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west
irrigated_land: 1,030 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km
salted_water_lakes: Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
major_aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin
population_distribution:
population heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> limited volcanic activity; the Barrier (1,032 m) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the only other historically active volcano</p>

geography_note:
the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda


id: li
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone
coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W
coastline: 579 km
terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast
irrigated_land: 30 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March)
climate:
tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers

population_distribution:
more than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture


id: lt
location: Southern Africa, an enclave of South Africa
coordinates: 29 30 S, 28 30 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
terrain: mostly highland with plateaus, hills, and mountains
irrigated_land: 30 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
natural_hazards: periodic droughts
major_rivers:
Orange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
relatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru, and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked, an enclave of (completely surrounded by) South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level


id: ly
location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria
coordinates: 25 00 N, 17 00 E
coastline: 1,770 km
climate: Mediterranean along coast; dry, extreme desert interior
terrain: mostly barren, flat to undulating plains, plateaus, depressions
irrigated_land: 4,700 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
major_aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System, North Western Sahara Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin
population_distribution:
well over 90% of the population lives along the Mediterranean coast in and between Tripoli to the west and Al Bayda to the east; the interior remains vastly underpopulated due to the Sahara and lack of surface water as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the volcano Waw an Namus lies in south central Libya in the middle of the Sahara; the caldera is an oasis - the name means "oasis of mosquitoes" - containing several small lakes surrounded by vegetation and hosting various insects and a large diversity of birds


id: ma
location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
coordinates: 20 00 S, 47 00 E
coastline: 4,828 km
climate: tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south
terrain: narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center
irrigated_land: 10,860 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
most of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical times</p>

geography_note:
world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else


id: mi
location: Southern Africa, east of Zambia, west and north of Mozambique
coordinates: 13 30 S, 34 00 E
coastline: 0 km (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
irrigated_land: 740 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Tanzania) - 22,490
salted_water_lakes: Lake Chilwa - 1,040 sq km
population_distribution: population density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution map
natural_hazards: flooding; droughts; earthquakes
major_rivers:
Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

geography_note:
landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth


id: ml
coordinates: 17 00 N, 4 00 W
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
terrain: mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast
irrigated_land: 3,780 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
major_aquifers: Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Taodeni-Tanezrouft Basin
location:
interior Western Africa, southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, west of Niger

climate:
subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)

fresh_water_lakes:
Lac Faguibine - 590 sq km<br>note - the Niger River is the only source of water for the lake; in recent years the lake is dry

major_rivers:
Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the overwhelming majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with greater density along the border with Burkina Faso as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

geography_note:
landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan


id: mo
coordinates: 28 30 N, 10 00 W
coastline: 2,945 km
irrigated_land: 14,850 sq km (2012)
major_rivers: Draa - 1,100 km
location:
Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania

climate:
Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew

terrain:
mountainous northern coast (Rif Mountains) and interior (Atlas Mountains) bordered by large plateaus with intermontane valleys, and fertile coastal plains; the south is mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces&nbsp;

population_distribution:
the highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
in the north, the mountains are geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts; windstorms; flash floods; landslides; in the south, a hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility

geography_note:
strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar; the only African nation to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines; the waters off the Atlantic coast are particularly rich fishing areas


id: mp
location: Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, about 800 km (500 mi) east of Madagascar
coordinates: 20 17 S, 57 33 E
coastline: 177 km
terrain: small coastal plain rising to discontinuous mountains encircling central plateau
irrigated_land: 190 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards
climate:
tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

population_distribution:
population density is one of the highest in the world; urban cluster are found throught the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; population on Rodrigues Island is spread across the island with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species


id: mr
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Senegal and Western Sahara
coordinates: 20 00 N, 12 00 W
coastline: 754 km
climate: desert; constantly hot, dry, dusty
terrain: mostly barren, flat plains of the Sahara; some central hills
irrigated_land: 450 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Senegal (456,397 sq km)
major_aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin, Taodeni-Tanzerouft Basin
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind primarily in March and April; periodic droughts
major_rivers:
Senegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
with most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
Mauritania is considered both a part of North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country


id: mz
location: Southeastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania
coordinates: 18 15 S, 35 00 E
coastline: 2,470 km
climate: tropical to subtropical
terrain: mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west
irrigated_land: 1,180 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490
major_watersheds: Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
natural_hazards: severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces
geography_note: the Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
major_rivers:
Zambezi river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
three large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas as shown in this population distribution map


id: ng
location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
irrigated_land: 1,000 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin
natural_hazards: recurring droughts
fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km<br>note - area varies by season and year to year

major_rivers:
Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

population_distribution:
majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture


id: ni
location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon
coordinates: 10 00 N, 8 00 E
coastline: 853 km
climate: varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north
terrain: southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north
irrigated_land: 2,930 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System
natural_hazards: periodic droughts; flooding
fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km<br>note - area varies by season and year to year

major_rivers:
Niger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
largest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea


id: od
location: East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia
coordinates: 8 00 N, 30 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
irrigated_land: 1,000 sq km (2012)
climate:
hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

terrain:
plains in the north and center rise to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya; the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country; The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

major_rivers:
Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

population_distribution:
clusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile, its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands


id: pu
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal
coordinates: 12 00 N, 15 00 W
coastline: 350 km
irrigated_land: 250 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin
natural_hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires
geography_note: this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland
climate:
tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

terrain:
mostly low-lying coastal plain with a deeply indented estuarine coastline rising to savanna in east; numerous off-shore islands including the Arquipelago Dos Bijagos consisting of 18 main islands and many small islets

population_distribution:
approximately one-fifth of the population lives in the capital city of Bissau along the Atlantic coast; the remainder is distributed among the eight other, mainly rural, regions as shown in this population distribution map


id: rw
location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi
coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
irrigated_land: 96 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km
climate:
temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

major_rivers:
Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)

population_distribution:
one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano</p>

geography_note:
landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged with the population predominantly rural


id: se
location: archipelago in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar
coordinates: 4 35 S, 55 40 E
coastline: 491 km
irrigated_land: 3 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; occasional short droughts
climate:
tropical marine; humid; cooler season during southeast monsoon (late May to September); warmer season during northwest monsoon (March to May)

terrain:
Mahe Group is volcanic with a narrow coastal strip and rocky, hilly interior; others are coral, flat, elevated reefs

population_distribution:
more than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the smallest African country in terms of both area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria


id: sf
location: Southern Africa, at the southern tip of the continent of Africa
coordinates: 29 00 S, 24 00 E
coastline: 2,798 km
climate: mostly semiarid; subtropical along east coast; sunny days, cool nights
terrain: vast interior plateau rimmed by rugged hills and narrow coastal plain
irrigated_land: 16,700 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
major_aquifers: Karoo Basin, Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin
geography_note: South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Eswatini
major_rivers:
Orange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpopo river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>prolonged droughts</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active volcano</p>


id: sg
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania
coordinates: 14 00 N, 14 00 W
coastline: 531 km
terrain: generally low, rolling, plains rising to foothills in southeast
irrigated_land: 1,200 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Senegal (456,397 sq km)
major_aquifers: Senegalo-Mauritanian Basin
natural_hazards: lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
geography_note: westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal
climate:
tropical; hot, humid; rainy season (May to November) has strong southeast winds; dry season (December to April) dominated by hot, dry, harmattan wind

major_rivers:
Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambia (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map


id: sh
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
location:
islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, about midway between South America and Africa; Ascension Island lies 1,300 km (800 mi) northwest of Saint Helena; Tristan da Cunha lies 4,300 km (2,700 mi) southwest of Saint Helena

coordinates:
<p><strong>Saint Helena:</strong> 15 57 S, 5 42 W; </p><p><strong>Ascension Island:</strong> 7 57 S, 14 22 W; </p><p><strong>Tristan da Cunha island group:</strong> 37 15 S, 12 30 W</p>

coastline:
<strong>Saint Helena: </strong>60 km<br> <strong>Ascension Island: </strong>NA<br> <strong>Tristan da Cunha (island only): </strong>34 km

climate:
<p><strong>Saint Helena:</strong> tropical marine; mild, tempered by trade winds; </p><p><strong>Ascension Island:</strong> tropical marine; mild, semi-arid; </p><p><strong>Tristan da Cunha:</strong> temperate marine; mild, tempered by trade winds (tends to be cooler than Saint Helena)</p>

terrain:
<p>the islands of this group are of volcanic origin associated with the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge</p><p><strong>Saint Helena:</strong> rugged, volcanic; small scattered plateaus and plains; </p><p><strong>Ascension:</strong> surface covered by lava flows and cinder cones of 44 dormant volcanoes; terrain rises to the east; </p><p><strong>Tristan da Cunha:</strong> sheer cliffs line the coastline of the nearly circular island; the flanks of the central volcanic peak are deeply dissected; narrow coastal plain lies between The Peak and the coastal cliffs</p>

population_distribution:
Saint Helena - population is concentrated in and around the capital Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area; Ascension - largest settlement, and location of most of the population, is Georgetown; Tristan da Cunha - most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas

natural_hazards:
<p>active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (2,060 m) and Nightingale Island (365 m) experience volcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingale in 2004</p>

geography_note:
Saint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown elsewhere in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa


id: sl
location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia
coordinates: 8 30 N, 11 30 W
coastline: 402 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)
terrain: coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east
irrigated_land: 300 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
population_distribution:
population clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated as shown on this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

geography_note:
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa


id: so
location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
coordinates: 10 00 N, 49 00 E
coastline: 3,025 km
terrain: mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
irrigated_land: 2,000 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Ogaden-Juba Basin
natural_hazards: recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
climate:
principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons

population_distribution:
distribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa as shown on this population distribution map

geography_note:
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal


id: su
location: north-eastern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea
coordinates: 15 00 N, 30 00 E
coastline: 853 km
climate: hot and dry; arid desert; rainy season varies by region (April to November)
terrain: generally flat, featureless plain; desert dominates the north
irrigated_land: 18,900 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer)
natural_hazards: dust storms and periodic persistent droughts
major_rivers:
<p>Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth</p>

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

population_distribution:
with the exception of a ribbon of settlement that corresponds to the banks of the Nile, northern Sudan, which extends into the dry Sahara, is sparsely populated; more abundant vegetation and broader access to water increases population distribution in the south extending habitable range along nearly the entire border with South Sudan; sizeable areas of population are found around Khartoum, southeast between the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and througout South Darfur as shown on this population distribution map

geography_note:
the Nile is Sudan's primary water source; its major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, meet at Khartoum to form the River Nile which flows northward through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea


id: to
location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
coordinates: 8 00 N, 1 10 E
coastline: 56 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
irrigated_land: 70 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km)
natural_hazards: hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
terrain:
gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

population_distribution:
one of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna


id: tp
location: Central Africa, islands in the Gulf of Guinea, just north of the Equator, west of Gabon
coordinates: 1 00 N, 7 00 E
coastline: 209 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid; one rainy season (October to May)
terrain: volcanic, mountainous
irrigated_land: 100 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: flooding
population_distribution:
Sao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous


id: ts
location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Libya
coordinates: 34 00 N, 9 00 E
coastline: 1,148 km
climate: temperate in north with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers; desert in south
terrain: mountains in north; hot, dry central plain; semiarid south merges into the Sahara
irrigated_land: 4,590 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: North Western Sahara Aquifer System
natural_hazards: flooding; earthquakes; droughts
population_distribution:
the overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
strategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration


id: tz
location: Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique
coordinates: 6 00 S, 35 00 E
coastline: 1,424 km
climate: varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands
terrain: plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south
irrigated_land: 1,840 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km
fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490

major_rivers:
Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea)</em> Nile (3,254,853 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

population_distribution:
the largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
<p>flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> limited volcanic activity; Ol Doinyo Lengai (2,962 m) has emitted lava in recent years; other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru</p>

geography_note:
Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya [in Kenya] and the Ruwenzori Mountains [on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border]); Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest


id: ug
location: East-Central Africa, west of Kenya, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
coordinates: 1 00 N, 32 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
terrain: mostly plateau with rim of mountains
irrigated_land: 140 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: droughts; floods; earthquakes; landslides; hailstorms
climate:
tropical; generally rainy with two dry seasons (December to February, June to August); semiarid in northeast

fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Kyoga - 4,430 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,150 sq km

major_rivers:
<p>Nile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth</p>

population_distribution:
population density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda


id: uv
location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
irrigated_land: 550 sq km (2016)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
natural_hazards: recurring droughts
geography_note: landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
climate:
<p>three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert</p>

terrain:
mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast; occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south

major_rivers:
Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
 <p>Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map</p>  (2019)


id: wa
location: Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa
coordinates: 22 00 S, 17 00 E
coastline: 1,572 km
climate: desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic
terrain: mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east
irrigated_land: 80 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
natural_hazards: prolonged periods of drought
major_rivers:
Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

population_distribution:
population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 sq km), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world


id: wi
location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco
coordinates: 24 30 N, 13 00 W
coastline: 1,110 km
climate: hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
geography_note: the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
terrain:
mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces rising to small mountains in south and northeast

population_distribution:
most of the population lives in the two-thirds of the area west of the berm (Moroccan-occupied) that divides the territory; about 40% of that populace resides in Laayoune as shown in this population distribution map

natural_hazards:
hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility


id: wz
location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: varies from tropical to near temperate
terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
irrigated_land: 500 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: drought
geography_note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa
population_distribution:
because of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map


id: za
location: Southern Africa, east of Angola, south of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
coordinates: 15 00 S, 30 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April)
terrain: mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains
irrigated_land: 1,560 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
natural_hazards: periodic drought; tropical storms (November to April)
fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation

major_rivers:
<p>Congo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth</p>

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)

population_distribution:
one of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)


id: zi
location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia
coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)
terrain: mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east
irrigated_land: 1,740 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
natural_hazards: recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
major_rivers:
<p>Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth</p>

major_watersheds:
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

population_distribution:
Aside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half as shown in this population distribution map

geography_note:
landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)


id: ay
location: continent mostly south of the Antarctic Circle
coordinates: 90 00 S, 0 00 E
coastline: 17,968 km
climate:
the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth; severe low temperatures vary with latitude, elevation, and distance from the ocean; East Antarctica is colder than West Antarctica because of its higher elevation; Antarctic Peninsula has the most moderate climate; higher temperatures occur in January along the coast and average slightly below freezing; summers characterized by continuous daylight, while winters bring continuous darkness; persistent high pressure over the interior brings dry, subsiding air that results in very little cloud cover

terrain:
about 99% thick continental ice sheet and 1% barren rock, with average elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 m; mountain ranges up to nearly 5,000 m; ice-free coastal areas include parts of southern Victoria Land, Wilkes Land, the Antarctic Peninsula area, and parts of Ross Island on McMurdo Sound; glaciers form ice shelves along about half of the coastline, and floating ice shelves constitute 11% of the area of the continent

natural_hazards:
katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf<br><br><strong>volcanism:</strong> volcanic activity on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak

geography_note:
the coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period <br><br>mostly uninhabitable, 99% of the land area is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, the largest single mass of ice on earth covering an area of 14 million sq km (5.4 million sq mi) and containing 26.5 million cu km (6.4 million cu mi) of ice (this is almost 62% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 58 m (190 ft)


id: bv
location: island in the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa)
coordinates: 54 26 S, 3 24 E
coastline: 29.6 km
climate: antarctic
terrain: volcanic; coast is mostly inaccessible
natural_hazards: occasional volcanism, rock slides; harsh climate, surrounded by pack ice in winter
geography_note:
almost entirely covered by glacial ice (93%); declared a nature reserve by Norway; the distance from Bouvet Island to Norway is 12,776 km, which is almost one-third the circumference of the earth


id: fs
location:
southeast and east of Africa, islands in the southern Indian Ocean, some near Madagascar and others about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia; note - French Southern and Antarctic Lands include Ile Amsterdam, Ile Saint-Paul, Iles Crozet, Iles Kerguelen, Bassas da India, Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island, and Tromelin Island in the southern Indian Ocean, along with the French-claimed sector of Antarctica, "Adelie Land"; the US does not recognize the French claim to "Adelie Land"

coordinates:
<p><strong>Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> 37 50 S, 77 32 E; </p><p><strong>Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> 38 72 S, 77 53 E; </p><p><strong>Iles Crozet:</strong> 46 25 S, 51 00 E; </p><p><strong>Iles Kerguelen:</strong> 49 15 S, 69 35 E; </p><p><strong>Bassas da India (Iles Eparses):</strong> 21 30 S, 39 50 E; </p><p><strong>Europa Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> 22 20 S, 40 22 E; </p><p><strong>Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses):</strong> 11 30 S, 47 20 E; </p><p><strong>Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> 17 03 S, 42 45 E; </p><p><strong>Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> 15 52 S, 54 25 E</p>

coastline:
<strong>Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): </strong>28 km<br> <strong>Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul): </strong><br> <strong>Iles Kerguelen: </strong>2,800 km<br> <strong>Bassas da India (Iles Eparses): </strong>35.2 km<br> <strong>Europa Island (Iles Eparses): </strong>22.2 km<br> <strong>Glorioso Islands (Iles Eparses): </strong>35.2 km<br> <strong>Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): </strong>24.1 km<br> <strong>Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): </strong>3.7 km

climate:
<p><strong>Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul:</strong> oceanic with persistent westerly winds and high humidity; </p><p><strong>Iles Crozet:</strong> windy, cold, wet, and cloudy; </p><p><strong>Iles Kerguelen:</strong> oceanic, cold, overcast, windy; </p><p><strong>Iles Eparses:</strong> tropical</p>

terrain:
<p><strong>Ile Amsterdam (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> a volcanic island with steep coastal cliffs; the center floor of the volcano is a large plateau; </p><p><strong>Ile Saint-Paul (Ile Amsterdam et Ile Saint-Paul):</strong> triangular in shape, the island is the top of a volcano, rocky with steep cliffs on the eastern side; has active thermal springs; </p><p><strong>Iles Crozet:</strong> a large archipelago formed from the Crozet Plateau is divided into two groups of islands; </p><p><strong>Iles Kerguelen:</strong> the interior of the large island of Ile Kerguelen is composed of high mountains, hills, valleys, and plains with peninsulas stretching off its coasts; </p><p><strong>Bassas da India (Iles Eparses):</strong> atoll, awash at high tide; shallow (15 m) lagoon; </p><p><strong>Europa Island, Glorioso Islands, Juan de Nova Island:</strong> low, flat, and sandy; </p><p><strong>Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> low, flat, sandy; likely volcanic seamount</p>

natural_hazards:
<p>Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones; Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (2,632 m), which has erupted many times in recent years including 2010, 2015, and 2017, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare, eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities</p>

geography_note:
<p>islands' component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian Ocean</p><p><strong>Bassas da India (Iles Eparses):</strong> atoll is a circular reef atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano; </p><p><strong>Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles; </p><p><strong>Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system; </p><p><strong>Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses):</strong> climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)</p>


id: hm
location: islands in the Indian Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica
coordinates: 53 06 S, 72 31 E
coastline: 101.9 km
climate: antarctic
natural_hazards: Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island
terrain:
Heard Island - 80% ice-covered, bleak and mountainous, dominated by a large massif (Big Ben) and an active volcano (Mawson Peak); McDonald Islands - small and rocky

geography_note:
Mawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005


id: aq
location: Oceania,group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W
coastline: 116 km
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
climate:
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation

terrain:
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Atoll, Swains Island)

natural_hazards:
<p>cyclones common from December to March</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century</p>

geography_note:
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean


id: as
location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean
coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E
coastline: 25,760 km
climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north
terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast
irrigated_land: 25,460 sq km (2014)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Alexandrina - 570 sq km
major_aquifers: Great Artesian Basin, Canning Basin
salted_water_lakes:
Lake Eyre - 9,690 sq km; Lake Torrens (ephemeral) - 5,780 sq km; Lake Gairdner - 4,470 sq km; Lake Mackay (ephemeral) - 3,494 sq km; Lake Frome - 2,410 sq km; Lake Amadeus (ephemeral) - 1,032 sq km

major_rivers:
River Murray - 2,508 km; Darling River - 1,545 km; Murrumbidgee River - 1,485 km; Lachlan River - 1,339 km; Cooper Creek - 1,113 km; Flinders River - 1,004 km

major_watersheds:
Indian Ocean drainage: <em>(Great Australian Bight)</em> Murray-Darling (1,050,116 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Lake Eyre (1,212,198 sq km)

population_distribution:
population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population

natural_hazards:
<p>cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands</p>

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the Great Dividing Range that runs along eastern Australia is that continent’s longest mountain range and the third-longest land-based range in the world; the term "Great Dividing Range" refers to the fact that the mountains form a watershed crest from which all of the rivers of eastern Australia flow – east, west, north, and south<br><br><strong>note 3:</strong> Australia is the only continent without glaciers; it is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia is home to 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world


id: at
coordinates: 12 25 S, 123 20 E
coastline: 74.1 km
climate: tropical
terrain: low with sand and coral
natural_hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
location:
Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef

geography_note:
Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000


id: bp
location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea
coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E
coastline: 5,313 km
climate: tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes
terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012) NA
population_distribution:
most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these some two-thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port

natural_hazards:
<p>tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, while an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal</p>

geography_note:
strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; Rennell Island, the southernmost in the Solomon Islands chain, is one of the world&rsquo;s largest raised coral atolls; the island&rsquo;s Lake Tegano, formerly a lagoon on the atoll, is the largest lake in the insular Pacific (15,500 hectares)


id: ck
coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
coastline: 26 km
terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
irrigated_land: NA
population_distribution: only Home Island and West Island are populated
natural_hazards: cyclone season is October to April
location:
Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka

climate:
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year

geography_note:
<strong>note 1: </strong>there are 27 coral islands in the group; apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 km north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon; North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia; the population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island; the islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island


id: cq
coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
coastline: 1,482 km
irrigated_land: 1 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan
natural_hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
geography_note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
location:
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

climate:
tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October

terrain:
the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands


id: cw
location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
coordinates: 21 14 S, 159 46 W
coastline: 120 km
terrain: low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south
irrigated_land: NA
population_distribution: most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga
natural_hazards: tropical cyclones (November to March)
climate:
tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March

geography_note:
the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km


id: fj
coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E
coastline: 1,129 km
climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation
terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin
irrigated_land: 40 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
geography_note: consists of 332 islands, approximately 110 of which are inhabited, and more than 500 islets
location:
Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

population_distribution:
approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas


id: fm
coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 15 E
coastline: 6,112 km
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012) NA
natural_hazards: typhoons (June to December)
geography_note: composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands
location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

population_distribution:
the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas


id: fp
coordinates: 15 00 S, 140 00 W
coastline: 2,525 km
climate: tropical, but moderate
terrain: mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: occasional cyclonic storms in January
location:
Oceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between South America and Australia

population_distribution:
the majority of the population lives in the Society Islands, one of five archipelagos that includes the most populous island - Tahiti - with approximately 70% of the nation's population

geography_note:
includes five archipelagoes: four volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); the Tuamotu Archipelago forms the largest group of atolls in the world - 78 in total, 48 inhabited; Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru


id: gq
coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 47 E
coastline: 125.5 km
irrigated_land: 2 sq km (2012)
location:
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines

climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation

terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south

population_distribution:
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

natural_hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

geography_note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean


id: kr
coordinates: 1 25 N, 173 00 E
coastline: 1,143 km
climate: tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds
terrain: mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
location:
Oceania, group of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

population_distribution:
consists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong

natural_hazards:
typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level

geography_note:
21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru; Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western)


id: kt
location: Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia
coordinates: 10 30 S, 105 40 E
coastline: 138.9 km
terrain: steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau
irrigated_land: NA
population_distribution: majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island
natural_hazards: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
geography_note: located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean
climate:
tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds


id: nc
location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
coordinates: 21 30 S, 165 30 E
coastline: 2,254 km
climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid
terrain: coastal plains with interior mountains
irrigated_land: 100 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea

natural_hazards:
<p>cyclones, most frequent from November to March</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active</p>

geography_note:
consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls


id: ne
location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga
coordinates: 19 02 S, 169 52 W
coastline: 64 km
climate: tropical; modified by southeast trade winds
terrain: steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island
natural_hazards: tropical cyclones
geography_note:
one of world's largest coral islands; the only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central western part of the coast


id: nf
location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E
coastline: 32 km
climate: subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
terrain: volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
natural_hazards: tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
geography_note:
most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated


id: nh
coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E
coastline: 2,528 km
terrain: mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia

climate:
tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April

population_distribution:
three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace

natural_hazards:
<p>tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head</p>

geography_note:
a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes and there are several underwater volcanoes as well


id: nr
location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands
coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E
coastline: 30 km
climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February)
terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: periodic droughts
population_distribution:
extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast

geography_note:
Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world behind the Holy See (Vatican City) and Monaco; it is the smallest country in the Pacific Ocean, the smallest country outside Europe, the world's smallest island country, and the the world's smallest independent republic; situated just 53 km south of the Equator, Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia


id: nz
location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
coastline: 15,134 km
climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
terrain: predominately mountainous with large coastal plains
irrigated_land: 7,210 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Taupo - 610 sq km
population_distribution:
over three-quarters of New Zealanders, including the indigenous Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas

natural_hazards:
<p>earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanism</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> almost 90% of the population lives in cities and over three-quarters on North Island; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world</p>


id: pc
location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand
coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 06 W
coastline: 51 km
climate: tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March)
terrain: rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: less than 50 inhabitants on Pitcairn Island, most reside near the village of Adamstown
natural_hazards:
occasional tropical cyclones (especially November to March), but generally only heavy tropical storms; landslides

geography_note:
Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore


id: ps
location: Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines
coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
coastline: 1,519 km
climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap
natural_hazards: typhoons (June to December)
terrain:
varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs

geography_note:
westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous Rock Islands


id: rm
coordinates: 9 00 N, 168 00 E
coastline: 370.4 km
climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
terrain: low coral limestone and sand islands
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: infrequent typhoons
location:
Oceania, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; the atolls and islands are situated in two, almost-parallel island chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group; the total number of islands and islets is about 1,225; 22 of the atolls and four of the islands are uninhabited

population_distribution:
most people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye

geography_note:
the islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific


id: tl
coordinates: 9 00 S, 172 00 W
coastline: 101 km
climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November)
terrain: low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: the country's small population is fairly evenly distributed amongst the three atolls
natural_hazards: lies in Pacific cyclone belt
location:
Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

geography_note:
consists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level


id: tn
coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
coastline: 419 km
climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
location:
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

terrain:
mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock

population_distribution:
over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied

natural_hazards:
<p>cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua</p>

geography_note:
the western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand


id: tv
coordinates: 8 00 S, 178 00 E
coastline: 24 km
terrain: low-lying and narrow coral atolls
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti
location:
Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia

climate:
tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)

natural_hazards:
severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low levels of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level

geography_note:
one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon


id: um
location:
<p>Oceania</p><p><strong>Baker Island:</strong> atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; </p><p><strong>Howland Island:</strong> island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; </p><p><strong>Jarvis Island:</strong> island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands; </p><p><strong>Johnston Atoll:</strong> atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands; </p><p><strong>Kingman Reef:</strong> reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands:</strong> atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo; </p><p><strong>Palmyra Atoll:</strong> atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa</p>

coordinates:
<p><strong>Baker Island:</strong> 0 13 N, 176 28 W; </p><p><strong>Howland Island:</strong> 0 48 N, 176 38 W; </p><p><strong>Jarvis Island:</strong> 0 23 S, 160 01 W; </p><p><strong>Johnston Atoll:</strong> 16 45 N, 169 31 W; </p><p><strong>Kingman Reef:</strong> 6 23 N, 162 25 W; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands:</strong> 28 12 N, 177 22 W; </p><p><strong>Palmyra Atoll:</strong> 5 53 N, 162 05 W</p>

coastline:
<strong>Baker Island: </strong>4.8 km<br> <strong>Howland Island: </strong>6.4 km<br> <strong>Jarvis Island: </strong>8 km<br> <strong>Johnston Atoll: </strong>34 km<br> <strong>Kingman Reef: </strong>3 km<br> <strong>Midway Islands: </strong>15 km<br> <strong>Palmyra Atoll: </strong>14.5 km

climate:
<p><strong>Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands:</strong> equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun; </p><p><strong>Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef:</strong> tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands:</strong> subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter; </p><p><strong>Palmyra Atoll:</strong> equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year</p>

terrain:
low and nearly flat sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor

natural_hazards:
<p><strong>Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands:</strong> the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard; </p><p><strong>Kingman Reef:</strong> wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls:</strong> NA</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands:</strong> scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public; </p><p><strong>Johnston Atoll:</strong> Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; </p><p><strong>Kingman Reef:</strong> barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public; </p><p><strong>Midway Islands:</strong> a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography; </p><p><strong>Palmyra Atoll:</strong> the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest</p>


id: wf
location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
coastline: 129 km
terrain: volcanic origin; low hills
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: cyclones; tsunamis
geography_note: both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes
climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius


id: wq
coordinates: 19 17 N, 166 39 E
coastline: 19.3 km
climate: tropical
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: subject to occasional typhoons
geography_note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights
location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands

terrain:
atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim


id: ws
location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
coordinates: 13 35 S, 172 20 W
coastline: 403 km
climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
geography_note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
terrain:
two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior

natural_hazards:
<p>occasional cyclones; active volcanism</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active</p>


id: aa
location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela
coordinates: 12 30 N, 69 58 W
coastline: 68.5 km
climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
terrain: flat with a few hills; scant vegetation
irrigated_land: NA
natural_hazards: hurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened
population_distribution:
most residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island

geography_note:
a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)


id: ac
coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W
coastline: 153 km
climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas
irrigated_land: 1.3 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico

population_distribution:
the island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington

geography_note:
Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor


id: av
location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
coordinates: 18 15 N, 63 10 W
coastline: 61 km
climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds
terrain: flat and low-lying island of coral and limestone
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October)
geography_note: the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
population_distribution:
most of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast


id: bb
location: Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
coordinates: 13 10 N, 59 32 W
coastline: 97 km
climate: tropical; rainy season (June to October)
terrain: relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region
irrigated_land: 50 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
geography_note: easternmost Caribbean island
population_distribution:
most densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas


id: bf
location: chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida, northeast of Cuba
coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W
coastline: 3,542 km
climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage
geography_note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
population_distribution:
most of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located


id: bh
location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico
coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W
coastline: 386 km
climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
irrigated_land: 35 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
geography_note: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
population_distribution:
approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east


id: bq
location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, 30 nm west of Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti
coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W
coastline: 8 km
climate: marine, tropical
natural_hazards: hurricanes
terrain:
raised flat to undulating coral and limestone plateau; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 m high)

geography_note:
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes (limestone sinkholes) but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus


id: cj
coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W
coastline: 160 km
terrain: low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs
irrigated_land: NA
population_distribution: majority of the population resides on Grand Cayman
natural_hazards: hurricanes (July to November)
geography_note: important location between Cuba and Central America
location:
Caribbean, three-island group (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, Little Cayman) in Caribbean Sea, 240 km south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica

climate:
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April)


id: cs
coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
coastline: 1,290 km
irrigated_land: 1,015 sq km (2012)
location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama

climate:
tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands

terrain:
coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes

population_distribution:
roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population

natural_hazards:
<p>occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba</p>

geography_note:
four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65


id: cu
coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
coastline: 3,735 km
climate: tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast
irrigated_land: 8,700 sq km (2012)
geography_note: largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles
location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida

population_distribution:
large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana

natural_hazards:
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common


id: do
coordinates: 15 25 N, 61 20 W
coastline: 148 km
climate: tropical; moderated by northeast trade winds; heavy rainfall
terrain: rugged mountains of volcanic origin
irrigated_land: NA
location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago

population_distribution:
population is mosly clustered along the coast, with roughly a third living in the parish of St. George, in or around the capital of Roseau; the volcanic interior is sparsely populated

natural_hazards:
<p>flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Dominica was the last island to be formed in the Caribbean some 26 million years ago, it lies in the middle of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from the island of Saba in the north to Grenada in the south; of the 16 volcanoes that make up this arc, five are located on Dominica, more than any other island in the Caribbean: Morne aux Diables (861 m), Morne Diablotins (1,430 m), Morne Trois Pitons (1,387 m), Watt Mountain (1,224 m), which last erupted in 1997, and Morne Plat Pays (940 m); the two best known volcanic features on Dominica, the Valley of Desolation and the Boiling Lake thermal areas, lie on the flanks of Watt Mountain and both are popular tourist destinations</p>

geography_note:
known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world


id: dr
coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W
coastline: 1,288 km
climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
terrain: rugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys
irrigated_land: 3,070 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km
location:
Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti

population_distribution:
coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)

natural_hazards:
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts

geography_note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo


id: es
location: Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Guatemala and Honduras
coordinates: 13 50 N, 88 55 W
coastline: 307 km
terrain: mostly mountains with narrow coastal belt and central plateau
irrigated_land: 452 sq km (2012)
geography_note: smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea
climate:
tropical; rainy season (May to October); dry season (November to April); tropical on coast; temperate in uplands

population_distribution:
athough it is the smallest country in land area in Central America, El Salvador has a population that is 18 times larger than Belize; at least 20% of the population lives abroad; high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador

natural_hazards:
<p>known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity; San Salvador (1,893 m), which last erupted in 1917, has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital, which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (2,130 m), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana</p>


id: gj
location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W
coastline: 121 km
climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains
irrigated_land: 20 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
approximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast

natural_hazards:
<p>lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the north</p>

geography_note:
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada


id: gt
coordinates: 15 30 N, 90 15 W
coastline: 400 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid in lowlands; cooler in highlands
irrigated_land: 3,375 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lago de Izabal - 590 sq km
location:
Central America, bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between El Salvador and Mexico, and bordering the Gulf of Honduras (Caribbean Sea) between Honduras and Belize

terrain:
two east-west trending mountain chains divide the country into three regions: the mountainous highlands, the Pacific coast south of mountains, and the vast northern Peten lowlands

population_distribution:
the vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas

natural_hazards:
<p>numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity in the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (3,772 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Pacaya (2,552 m), which erupted in May 2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations, is one of the country's most active volcanoes with frequent eruptions since 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coast</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> Guatemala is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p>


id: ha
coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
coastline: 1,771 km
climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
irrigated_land: 970 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: fairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas
location:
Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic

natural_hazards:
lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts

geography_note:
shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic); it is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean


id: ho
coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
coastline: 823 km (Caribbean Sea 669 km, Gulf of Fonseca 163 km)
climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
irrigated_land: 900 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Laguna de Caratasca - 1,110 sq km
location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua

population_distribution:
most residents live in the mountainous western half of the country; unlike other Central American nations, Honduras is the only one with an urban population that is distributed between two large centers - the capital of Tegucigalpa and the city of San Pedro Sula; the Rio Ulua valley in the north is the only densely populated lowland area

natural_hazards:
frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast

geography_note:
has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast


id: jm
location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba
coordinates: 18 15 N, 77 30 W
coastline: 1,022 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior
terrain: mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain
irrigated_land: 250 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: hurricanes (especially July to November)
population_distribution:
population density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel

geography_note:
third largest island in the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola); strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal


id: mh
location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, southeast of Puerto Rico
coordinates: 16 45 N, 62 12 W
coastline: 40 km
climate: tropical; little daily or seasonal temperature variation
terrain: volcanic island, mostly mountainous, with small coastal lowland
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
only the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity

natural_hazards:
<p>volcanic eruptions; severe hurricanes (June to November)</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Soufriere Hills volcano (915 m), has erupted continuously since 1995; a massive eruption in 1997 destroyed most of the capital, Plymouth, and resulted in approximately half of the island becoming uninhabitable; the island of Montserrat is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south</p>

geography_note:
the island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages


id: nn
coordinates: <p>18 4 N, 63 4 W</p>
coastline: 58.9 km (for entire island)
terrain: <p>low, hilly terrain, volcanic origin</p>
natural_hazards: <p>subject to hurricanes from July to November</p>
location:
<p>Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Dutch part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Sint Maarten lies east of the US Virgin Islands</p>

climate:
<p>tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in moderate temperatures; average rainfall of 150 cm/year; hurricane season stretches from July to November</p>

population_distribution:
most populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg), followed closely by Cul de Sac

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world shared by two self-governing states<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka as Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared by both of the island's entities</p>


id: nu
coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
coastline: 910 km
climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
irrigated_land: 1,990 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lago de Nicaragua - 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua - 1,040 sq km
location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras

terrain:
extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes

population_distribution:
the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters

natural_hazards:
<p>destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica</p>

geography_note:
largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua


id: pm
coordinates: 9 00 N, 80 00 W
coastline: 2,490 km
irrigated_land: 321 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Laguna de Chiriqui - 900 sq km
natural_hazards: occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
location:
Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Colombia and Costa Rica

climate:
tropical maritime; hot, humid, cloudy; prolonged rainy season (May to January), short dry season (January to May)

terrain:
interior mostly steep, rugged mountains with dissected, upland plains; coastal plains with rolling hills

population_distribution:
population is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabited

geography_note:
strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean


id: rn
coordinates: 18 05 N, 63 57 W
coastline: 58.9 km (for entire island)
natural_hazards: subject to hurricanes from July to November
location:
Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; French part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Saint Martin lies east of the US Virgin Islands

climate:
temperature averages 27-29 degrees Celsius all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; hurricane season stretches from July to November

population_distribution:
most of the population is found along the coast, with a largest concentrations around the capital Marigot, Orleans, and Grand-Case

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> the southern border is shared with Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world shared by two self-governing states<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka as Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared by both of the island's entities 


id: rq
coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
coastline: 501 km
climate: tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
irrigated_land: 220 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: periodic droughts; hurricanes
location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic

terrain:
mostly mountains with coastal plain in north; precipitous mountains to the sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas

population_distribution:
population clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low

geography_note:
important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north


id: sc
coordinates: 17 20 N, 62 45 W
coastline: 135 km
terrain: volcanic with mountainous interiors
irrigated_land: 8 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: population clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands
location:
Caribbean, islands in the Caribbean Sea, about one-third of the way from Puerto Rico to Trinidad and Tobago

climate:
tropical, tempered by constant sea breezes; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)

natural_hazards:
<p>hurricanes (July to October)</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Mount Liamuiga (1,156 m) on Saint Kitts, and Nevis Peak (985 m) on Nevis, are both volcanoes that are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles, which extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south</p>

geography_note:
smallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in terms of area and population; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island


id: st
location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 58 W
coastline: 158 km
terrain: volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys
irrigated_land: 30 sq km (2012)
climate:
tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August

population_distribution:
most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries

natural_hazards:
<p>hurricanes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south</p>

geography_note:
the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean


id: tb
coordinates: 17 90 N, 62 85 W
climate: tropical, with practically no variation in temperature; has two seasons (dry and humid)
terrain: hilly, almost completely surrounded by shallow-water reefs, with plentiful beaches
location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean; located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; Saint Barthelemy lies east of the US Virgin Islands

population_distribution:
most of the populace concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island periphery

geography_note:
a 1,200-hectare marine nature reserve, the Reserve Naturelle, is made up of five zones around the island that form a network to protect the island's coral reefs, seagrass, and endangered marine species


id: td
location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela
coordinates: 11 00 N, 61 00 W
coastline: 362 km
climate: tropical; rainy season (June to December)
terrain: mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
irrigated_land: 70 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms
geography_note: Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
population_distribution:
population on Trinidad is concentrated in the western half of the island, on Tobago in the southern half


id: tk
location: two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
coastline: 389 km
climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: frequent hurricanes
population_distribution:
eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk

geography_note:
include eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited


id: uc
location: Caribbean, an island in the Caribbean Sea, 55 km off the coast of Venezuela
coordinates: <p>12 10 N, 69 00 W</p>
coastline: 364 km
terrain: <p>generally low, hilly terrain</p>
irrigated_land: NA
natural_hazards: <p>Curacao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and is rarely threatened</p>
geography_note: <p>Curacao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles</p>
climate:
<p>tropical marine climate, ameliorated by northeast trade winds, results in mild temperatures; semiarid with average rainfall of 60 cm/year</p>

population_distribution:
largest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest


id: vc
location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
coastline: 84 km
climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
terrain: volcanic, mountainous
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown
natural_hazards:
<p>hurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south</p>

geography_note:
the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays


id: vi
location: Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
coordinates: 18 30 N, 64 30 W
coastline: 80 km
climate: subtropical; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
terrain: coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
irrigated_land: NA
natural_hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
geography_note: strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations


id: vq
location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
coastline: 188 km
terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
irrigated_land: 1 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
climate:
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November

population_distribution:
while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix

geography_note:
important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean


id: kg
location: Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan
coordinates: 41 00 N, 75 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
irrigated_land: 10,233 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes
climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

terrain:
peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

salted_water_lakes:
Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km<br>note - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes

major_rivers:
Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), <em>(Aral Sea basin)</em> Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

population_distribution:
the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains

geography_note:
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes


id: kz
coordinates: 48 00 N, 68 00 E
climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid
irrigated_land: 20,660 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Ozero Balkhash - 22,000 sq km; Ozero Zaysan - 1,800 sq km
natural_hazards: earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty
location:
Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Oral) River in easternmost Europe

coastline:
0 km (landlocked); note - Kazakhstan borders the Aral Sea, now split into two bodies of water (1,070 km), and the Caspian Sea (1,894 km)

terrain:
vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south

salted_water_lakes:
Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Russia) - 374,000 sq km; Aral Sea (north) - 3,300 sq km; Ozero Alakol - 2,650 sq km; Ozero Teniz 1,590 sq km; Ozero Seletytenzi - 780 sq km; Ozero Sasykkol - 740 sq km

major_rivers:
Syr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)

population_distribution:
most of the country displays a low population density, particularly the interior; population clusters appear in urban agglomerations in the far northern and southern portions of the country

geography_note:
world's largest landlocked country and one of only two landlocked countries in the world that extends into two continents (the other is Azerbaijan); Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baikonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050


id: rs
coordinates: 60 00 N, 100 00 E
coastline: 37,653 km
irrigated_land: 43,000 sq km (2012)
location:
North Asia bordering the Arctic Ocean, extending from Europe (the portion west of the Urals) to the North Pacific Ocean

climate:
ranges from steppes in the south through humid continental in much of European Russia; subarctic in Siberia to tundra climate in the polar north; winters vary from cool along Black Sea coast to frigid in Siberia; summers vary from warm in the steppes to cool along Arctic coast

terrain:
broad plain with low hills west of Urals; vast coniferous forest and tundra in Siberia; uplands and mountains along southern border regions

fresh_water_lakes:
Lake Baikal - 31,500 sq km; Lake Ladoga - 18,130 sq km; Lake Onega - 9,720 sq km; Lake Khanka (shared with China) - 5,010 sq km; Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km; Ozero Vygozero - 1,250 sq km; Ozero Beloye - 1,120 sq km

salted_water_lakes:
Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; Ozero Malyye Chany - 2,500 sq km; Curonian Lagoon (shared with Lithuania) - 1,620 sq km<br>note - the Caspian Sea is the World's largest lake

major_rivers:
Yenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnieper river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Arctic Ocean drainage: Kolyma (679,934 sq km), Lena (2,306,743 sq km), Ob (2,972,493 sq km), Pechora (289,532 sq km), Yenisei (2,554,388 sq km)<br>Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea) </em>Don (458,694 sq km), Dnieper (533,966 sq km)<br>Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: <em>(Caspian Sea basin)</em> Volga (1,410,951 sq km)

major_aquifers:
Angara-Lena Basin, Pechora Basin, North Caucasus Basin, East European Aquifer System, West Siberian Basin, Tunguss Basin, Yakut Basin

population_distribution:
population is heavily concentrated in the westernmost fifth of the country extending from the Baltic Sea, south to the Caspian Sea, and eastward parallel to the Kazakh border; elsewhere, sizeable pockets are isolated and generally found in the south

natural_hazards:
<p>permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands; the peninsula alone is home to some 29 historically active volcanoes, with dozens more in the Kuril Islands; Kliuchevskoi (4,835 m), which erupted in 2007 and 2010, is Kamchatka's most active volcano; Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, which pose a threat to the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Bezymianny, Chikurachki, Ebeko, Gorely, Grozny, Karymsky, Ketoi, Kronotsky, Ksudach, Medvezhia, Mutnovsky, Sarychev Peak, Shiveluch, Tiatia, Tolbachik, and Zheltovsky; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> Russia's far east, particularly the Kamchatka Peninsula, lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak; Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, is estimated to hold one fifth of the world's fresh surface water<br><br><strong>note 4:</strong> Kaliningrad oblast is an exclave annexed from Germany following World War II (it was formerly part of East Prussia); its capital city of Kaliningrad - formerly Koenigsberg - is the only Baltic port in Russia that remains ice free in the winter</p>


id: ti
location: Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan
coordinates: 39 00 N, 71 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
irrigated_land: 7,420 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: earthquakes; floods
terrain:
mountainous region dominated by the Alay Mountains in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofirnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

major_rivers:
Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), <em>(Aral Sea Basin)</em> Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

population_distribution:
the country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west

geography_note:
landlocked; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR


id: tx
location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan
coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
climate: subtropical desert
irrigated_land: 19,950 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km
major_watersheds: Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: <em>(Aral Sea basin)</em> Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
natural_hazards: earthquakes; mudslides; droughts; dust storms; floods
terrain:
flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west

major_rivers:
Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat

geography_note:
landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau


id: uz
location: Central Asia, north of Turkmenistan, south of Kazakhstan
coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E
climate: mostly mid-latitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east
irrigated_land: 42,150 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Aral Sea (shared with Kazakhstan) - largely dried up
natural_hazards: earthquakes; floods; landslides or mudslides; avalanches; droughts
geography_note: along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world
coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

terrain:
mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zaravshan; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west

major_rivers:
Syr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: <em>(Aral Sea basin)</em> Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

population_distribution:
most of the population is concentrated in the fertile Fergana Valley in the easternmost arm of the country; the south has significant clusters of people, while the central and western deserts are sparsely populated


id: bm
location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
coordinates: 22 00 N, 98 00 E
coastline: 1,930 km
terrain: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
irrigated_land: 22,950 sq km (2012)
climate:
tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)

major_rivers:
Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)<br>Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)

population_distribution:
population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated

natural_hazards:
destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

geography_note:
strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterway


id: bx
coordinates: 4 30 N, 114 40 E
coastline: 161 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
terrain: flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
location:
Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia

geography_note:
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia


id: cb
location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
coordinates: 13 00 N, 105 00 E
coastline: 443 km
terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
irrigated_land: 3,540 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Tonle Sap - 2,700-16,000 sq km
major_watersheds: Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
natural_hazards: monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
climate:
tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation

major_rivers:
Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers

geography_note:
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake)


id: ch
coordinates: 35 00 N, 105 00 E
coastline: 14,500 km
climate: extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north
terrain: mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east
irrigated_land: 690,070 sq km (2012)
major_aquifers: North China Aquifer System (Huang Huai Hai Plain), Song-Liao Plain, Tarim Basin
location:
Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam

fresh_water_lakes:
Dongting Hu - 3,100 sq km; Poyang Hu - 3,350 sq km; Hongze Hu - 2,700 sq km; Tai Hu - 2,210 sq km; Hulun Nur - 1,590

salted_water_lakes:
Quinghai Hu - 4,460 sq km; Nam Co - 2,500 sq km; Siling Co - 1,860 sq km; Tangra Yumco - 1,400 sq km;&nbsp;Bosten Hu 1,380 sq km

major_rivers:
Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Mekong river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Brahmaputra river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Salween river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Pearl (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Red river source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km), Huang He (944,970 sq km), Mekong (805,604 sq km), Yangtze (1,722,193 sq km)<br>Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km)<br>Arctic Ocean drainage: Ob (2,972,493 sq km)<br>Internal <em>(endorheic basin) </em>drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km)

population_distribution:
overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many other countries in Asia and Europe; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang

natural_hazards:
<p>frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> China contains some historically active volcanoes including Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or P'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have been relatively inactive in recent centuries</p>

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) and largest country situated entirely in Asia; Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak above sea level<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the largest cave chamber in the world is the Miao Room, in the Gebihe cave system at China's Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park, which encloses some 10.78 million cu m (380.7 million cu ft) of volume<br><br><strong>note 3:</strong> China appears to have been the center of domestication for two of the world's leading cereal crops: millet in the north along the Yellow River and rice in the south along the lower or middle Yangtze River


id: hk
location: Eastern Asia,bordering the South China Sea and China
coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E
coastline: 733 km
terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
irrigated_land: 10 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: population fairly evenly distributed
natural_hazards: occasional typhoons
geography_note: consists of a mainland area (the New Territories) and more than 200 islands
climate:
subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall


id: id
location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
coordinates: 5 00 S, 120 00 E
coastline: 54,716 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
terrain: mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains
irrigated_land: 67,220 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes:
Danau Toba - 1,150 sq km<br>note - located in the caldera of a super volcano that erupted more than 70,000 years ago; it is the largest volcanic lake in the World

major_rivers:
Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
major concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated

natural_hazards:
<p>occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires</p> <p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in the world - some 76 are historically active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea; Merapi (2,968 m), Indonesia's most active volcano and in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; on 22 December 2018, a large explosion and flank collapse destroyed most of the 338 m high island of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) and generated a deadly tsunami inundating portions of western Java and southern Sumatra leaving more than 400 dead; other notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, Sinabung, and Tambora; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> according to Indonesia's National Coordinating Agency for Survey and Mapping, the total number of islands in the archipelago is 13,466, of which 922 are permanently inhabited (Indonesia is the world's largest country comprised solely of islands); the country straddles the equator and occupies a strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> Indonesia is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire; 80% of tsunamis, caused by volcanic or seismic events, occur within the "Pacific Ring of Fire"</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> despite having the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily forested region on earth after the Amazon<br><br><strong>note 4: </strong>two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcane</p>


id: ja
coordinates: 36 00 N, 138 00 E
coastline: 29,751 km
climate: varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous
irrigated_land: 24,690 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Biwa-ko 688 sq km
location:
Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula

population_distribution:
all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one-third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain)

natural_hazards:
<p>many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano, Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous), Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p>


id: kn
coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E
coastline: 2,495 km
climate: temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters
irrigated_land: 14,600 sq km (2012)
location:
Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea

terrain:
mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east

population_distribution:
population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east

natural_hazards:
<p>late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall</p> <p><strong>volcanism:</strong> P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active</p>

geography_note:
strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated


id: ks
location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E
coastline: 2,413 km
climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters
terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
irrigated_land: 7,780 sq km (2012)
population_distribution:
with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated

natural_hazards:
<p>occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries</p>

geography_note:
strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts


id: la
location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
irrigated_land: 3,100 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
natural_hazards: floods, droughts
major_rivers:
Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia

geography_note:
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand


id: mc
location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
coordinates: 22 10 N, 113 33 E
coastline: 41 km
climate: subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers
terrain: generally flat
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: population fairly equally distributed
natural_hazards: typhoons
geography_note:
essentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges


id: mg
location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
irrigated_land: 840 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Hovsgol Nuur - 2,620 sq km; Har Us Nuur - 1,760 sq km;&nbsp;
salted_water_lakes: Uvs Nuur - 3,350 sq km; Hyargas Nuur - 1,360 sq km
natural_hazards: dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions
geography_note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
terrain:
vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

major_rivers:
Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
sparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities


id: my
coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E
coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km)
climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons
terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains
irrigated_land: 3,800 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula
natural_hazards: flooding; landslides; forest fires
geography_note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea
location:
Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam


id: pf
coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E
coastline: 518 km
climate: tropical
terrain: mostly low and flat
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: typhoons
location:
Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines

population_distribution:
a population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands

geography_note:
composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group


id: pg
coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E
coastline: 926 km
climate: tropical
terrain: small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs
natural_hazards: typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
location:
Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines

geography_note:
strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs


id: pp
coordinates: 6 00 S, 147 00 E
coastline: 5,152 km
terrain: mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
location:
Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia

climate:
tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation

major_rivers:
Sepik river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,126 km; Fly river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,050 km

population_distribution:
population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one-fifth of the population residing in urban areas

natural_hazards:
<p>active volcanism; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (2,334 m), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (688 m) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951 killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; generally east-west trending highlands break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast<br><br><strong>note 2: </strong>two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcane</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> Papua New Guinea is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p>


id: rp
location: Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam
coordinates: 13 00 N, 122 00 E
coastline: 36,289 km
climate: tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
terrain: mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands
irrigated_land: 16,270 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Laguna de Bay - 890 sq km
population_distribution:
population concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population

natural_hazards:
<p>astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m), which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under "Geography - note"</p>

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641 - though not all of the new islands have been verified; the country is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> Philippines is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire</p> <p><strong>note 3:</strong> the Philippines sits astride the Pacific typhoon belt and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year - with about 5 of these being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms</p>


id: sn
location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
coastline: 193 km
terrain: lowlying, gently undulating central plateau
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: flash floods
climate:
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms

population_distribution:
most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas

geography_note:
focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, by far the largest of which is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones


id: th
location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
coordinates: 15 00 N, 100 00 E
coastline: 3,219 km
terrain: central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere
irrigated_land: 64,150 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Thalesap Songkhla - 1,290 sq km
major_watersheds: Indian Ocean drainage: Salween (271,914 sq km)<br>Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
natural_hazards: land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts
climate:
tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid

major_rivers:
Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters found througout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country

geography_note:
controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore; ideas for the construction of a canal across the Kra Isthmus that would create a bypass to the Strait of Malacca and shorten shipping times around Asia continue to be discussed


id: tt
coordinates: 8 50 S, 125 55 E
coastline: 706 km
climate: tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
terrain: mountainous
irrigated_land: 350 sq km (2012)
population_distribution: most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili
natural_hazards: floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones
location:
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

geography_note:
Timor comes from the Malay word for "east"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia; Timor-Leste has the unique distinction of being the only Asian country located completely in the Southern Hemisphere


id: tw
coordinates: 23 30 N, 121 00 E
coastline: 1,566.3 km
terrain: eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
irrigated_land: 3,820 sq km (2012)
geography_note: strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
location:
Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

climate:
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

population_distribution:
distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts

natural_hazards:
<p>earthquakes; typhoons</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries</p>


id: vm
coordinates: 16 10 N, 107 50 E
coastline: 3,444 km (excludes islands)
irrigated_land: 46,000 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
natural_hazards: occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia

climate:
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)

terrain:
low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest

major_rivers:
Mekong river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
though it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point <br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the world's largest cave (greatest cross sectional area) and is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume; it currently measures a total of 38.5 million cu m (about 1.35 billion cu ft); it connects to Thung cave (but not yet officially); when recognized, it will add an additional 1.6 million cu m in volume; Son Doong is so massive that it contains its own jungle, underground river, and localized weather system; clouds form inside the cave and spew out from its exits and two dolines (openings (sinkhole skylights) created by collapsed ceilings that allow sunlight to stream in)<br><strong><br></strong>


id: al
coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E
coastline: 362 km
climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
irrigated_land: 3,537 sq km (2014)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km<br>note - largest lake in the Balkans
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
geography_note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
location:
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country


id: an
location: Southwestern Europe, Pyrenees mountains, on the border between France and Spain
coordinates: 42 30 N, 1 30 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers
terrain: rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: avalanches
geography_note: landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
population_distribution:
population is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions)


id: au
location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia
coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
irrigated_land: 1,170 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Germany) - 540 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: landslides; avalanches; earthquakes
climate:
temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

terrain:
mostly mountains (Alps) in the west and south; mostly flat or gently sloping along the eastern and northern margins

major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
the northern and eastern portions of the country are more densely populated; nearly two-thirds of the populace lives in urban areas

geography_note:
note 1: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere<br><br>note 2: the world's largest and longest ice cave system at 42 km (26 mi) is the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Giants World) inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen, about 40 km south of Salzburg; ice caves are bedrock caves that contain year-round ice formations; they differ from glacial caves, which are transient and are formed by melting ice and flowing water within and under glaciers


id: ax
location: Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
coordinates: 34 37 N, 32 58 E
coastline: 56.3 km
climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
geography_note:
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land


id: be
location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E
coastline: 66.5 km
climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
irrigated_land: 230 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Seine (78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
terrain:
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

population_distribution:
most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas

natural_hazards:
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

geography_note:
crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the EU and NATO


id: bk
location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia
coordinates: 44 00 N, 18 00 E
coastline: 20 km
terrain: mountains and valleys
irrigated_land: 30 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
population_distribution: the northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated
natural_hazards: destructive earthquakes
climate:
hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast

geography_note:
within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east


id: bo
location: Eastern Europe, east of Poland
coordinates: 53 00 N, 28 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime
terrain: generally flat with much marshland
irrigated_land: 1,140 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea) </em>Dnieper (533,966 sq km)
natural_hazards: large tracts of marshy land
major_rivers:
Dnieper (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

geography_note:
landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes


id: bu
location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey
coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
coastline: 354 km
climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
irrigated_land: 1,020 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: earthquakes; landslides
major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations

geography_note:
strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia


id: cy
coordinates: 35 00 N, 33 00 E
coastline: 648 km
climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
irrigated_land: 460 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: moderate earthquake activity; droughts
location:
Middle East, island in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey; note - Cyprus views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both

terrain:
central plain with mountains to north and south; scattered but significant plains along southern coast

population_distribution:
population concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca

geography_note:
the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia); several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area


id: da
coordinates: 56 00 N, 10 00 E
coastline: 7,314 km
climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains
irrigated_land: 4,350 sq km (2012)
location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm)

population_distribution:
with excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland

natural_hazards:
flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

geography_note:
composed of the Jutland Peninsula and a group of more than 400 islands (Danish Archipelago); controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen


id: dx
location: Eastern Mediterranean, on the southeast coast of Cyprus near Famagusta
coordinates: 34 59 N, 33 45 E
coastline: 27.5 km
climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
geography_note:
British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Sovereign Base Area (SBA); of the SBA land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land


id: ee
location: Europe between the North Atlantic Ocean in the west and Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine to the east
coastline: 53,563.9 km
terrain: fairly flat along Baltic and Atlantic coasts; mountainous in the central and southern areas
irrigated_land: 154,539.82 sq km (2011 est.)
climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south

population_distribution:
population distribution varies considerably from country to country, but tends to follow a pattern of coastal and river settlement, with urban agglomerations forming large hubs facilitating large scale housing, industry, and commerce; the area in and around the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg (known collectively as Benelux), is the most densely populated area in the EU

natural_hazards:
flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic Sea region


id: ei
coordinates: 53 00 N, 8 00 W
coastline: 1,448 km
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: rare extreme weather events
location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain

climate:
temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time

terrain:
mostly flat to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast

population_distribution:
population distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities

geography_note:
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin


id: ez
location: Central Europe, between Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Austria
coordinates: 49 45 N, 15 30 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
irrigated_land: 320 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: flooding
terrain:
Bohemia in the west consists of rolling plains, hills, and plateaus surrounded by low mountains; Moravia in the east consists of very hilly country

major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations

geography_note:
<strong>note 1:</strong> landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> the Hranice Abyss in Czechia is the world's deepest surveyed underwater cave at 404 m (1,325 ft); its survey is not complete and it could end up being some 800-1,200 m deep


id: fi
coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E
coastline: 1,250 km
terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
irrigated_land: 690 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: severe winters in the north
location:
Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia

climate:
cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes

fresh_water_lakes:
Saimaa - 1,760 sq km; Paijanne - 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi - 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi - 900 sq km; Pielinen - 850 sq km

population_distribution:
the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely poplulated

geography_note:
long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain


id: fo
coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
coastline: 1,117 km
climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
natural_hazards: strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year
location:
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway

population_distribution:
the island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people

geography_note:
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands


id: fr
coastline: 4,853 km
irrigated_land: 26,420 sq km (2012) 26,950 sq km
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Geneva (shared with Switzerland) - 580 sq km
major_aquifers: Paris Basin
location:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> Western Europe, bordering the Bay of Biscay and English Channel, between Belgium and Spain, southeast of the UK; bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Italy and Spain; </p><p><strong>French Guiana:</strong> Northern South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname; </p><p><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Puerto Rico; </p><p><strong>Martinique:</strong> Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago; </p><p><strong>Mayotte:</strong> Southern Indian Ocean, island in the Mozambique Channel, about halfway between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique; </p><p><strong>Reunion:</strong> Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar</p>

coordinates:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> 46 00 N, 2 00 E; </p><p><strong>French Guiana:</strong> 4 00 N, 53 00 W; </p><p><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> 16 15 N, 61 35 W; </p><p><strong>Martinique:</strong> 14 40 N, 61 00 W; </p><p><strong>Mayotte:</strong> 12 50 S, 45 10 E; </p><p><strong>Reunion:</strong> 21 06 S, 55 36 E</p>

climate:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> generally cool winters and mild summers, but mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean; occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral;</p> <p><strong>French Guiana:</strong> tropical; hot, humid; little seasonal temperature variation;</p> <p><strong>Guadeloupe and Martinique:</strong> subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average;</p> <p><strong>Mayotte:</strong> tropical; marine; hot, humid, rainy season during northeastern monsoon (November to May); dry season is cooler (May to November);</p> <p><strong>Reunion:</strong> tropical, but temperature moderates with elevation; cool and dry (May to November), hot and rainy (November to April)</p>

terrain:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> mostly flat plains or gently rolling hills in north and west; remainder is mountainous, especially Pyrenees in south, Alps in east; </p><p><strong>French Guiana:</strong> low-lying coastal plains rising to hills and small mountains; </p><p><strong>Guadeloupe:</strong> Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grande-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin; </p><p><strong>Martinique:</strong> mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano; </p><p><strong>Mayotte:</strong> generally undulating, with deep ravines and ancient volcanic peaks; </p><p><strong>Reunion:</strong> mostly rugged and mountainous; fertile lowlands along coast</p>

major_rivers:
Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Loire (115,282 sq km), Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), <em>(Adriatic Sea)</em> Po (76,997 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea) </em>Rhone (100,543 sq km)

population_distribution:
much of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second

natural_hazards:
<p><strong>metropolitan France:</strong> flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean;</p> <p><strong>overseas departments:</strong> hurricanes (cyclones); flooding;</p> <p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Montagne Pelee (1,394 m) on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean is the most active volcano of the Lesser Antilles arc, it last erupted in 1932; a catastrophic eruption in May 1902 destroyed the city of St. Pierre, killing an estimated 30,000 people; La Soufriere (1,467 m) on the island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean last erupted from July 1976 to March 1977; these volcanoes are part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south</p>

geography_note:
largest West European nation; most major French rivers - the Meuse, Seine, Loire, Charente, Dordogne, and Garonne - flow northward or westward into the Atlantic Ocean, only the Rhone flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea


id: gi
coordinates: 36 08 N, 5 21 W
coastline: 12 km
climate: Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers
terrain: a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar
irrigated_land: NA
location:
Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain

natural_hazards:
occasional droughts; no streams or large bodies of water on the peninsula (all potable water comes from desalination)

geography_note:
<p><strong>note 1:</strong> strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea</p> <p><strong>note 2:</strong> one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory</p>


id: gm
coordinates: 51 00 N, 9 00 E
coastline: 2,389 km
climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind
terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
irrigated_land: 6,500 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Austria) - 540 sq km
salted_water_lakes: Stettiner Haff/Zalew Szczecinski (shared with Poland) - 900 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: flooding
location:
Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

major_rivers:
Danube river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia

geography_note:
strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany - the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe - flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward


id: gr
coordinates: 39 00 N, 22 00 E
coastline: 13,676 km
climate: temperate; mild, wet winters; hot, dry summers
terrain: mountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands
irrigated_land: 15,550 sq km (2012)
location:
Southern Europe, bordering the Aegean Sea, Ionian Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea, between Albania and Turkey

population_distribution:
one-third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters

natural_hazards:
<p>severe earthquakes</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Santorini (367 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; although there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active</p>

geography_note:
strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands


id: hr
location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea, between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia
coordinates: 45 10 N, 15 30 E
coastline: 5,835 km (mainland 1,777 km, islands 4,058 km)
irrigated_land: 240 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: destructive earthquakes
climate:
Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast

terrain:
geographically diverse; flat plains along Hungarian border, low mountains and highlands near Adriatic coastline and islands

major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
more of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated

geography_note:
controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks


id: hu
location: Central Europe, northwest of Romania
coordinates: 47 00 N, 20 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers
terrain: mostly flat to rolling plains; hills and low mountains on the Slovakian border
irrigated_land: 1,721 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Balaton - 590 sq km
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

geography_note:
landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions


id: ic
coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
coastline: 4,970 km
climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
irrigated_land: NA
location:
Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom

terrain:
mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords

population_distribution:
Iceland is almost entirely urban with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west

natural_hazards:
<p>earthquakes and volcanic activity</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air traffic; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar</p>

geography_note:
strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe


id: im
location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
coordinates: 54 15 N, 4 30 W
coastline: 160 km
climate: temperate; cool summers and mild winters; overcast about a third of the time
terrain: hills in north and south bisected by central valley
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: occasional high winds and rough seas
geography_note: one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary
population_distribution:
most people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest


id: it
location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia
coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E
coastline: 7,600 km
climate: predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south
terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands
irrigated_land: 39,500 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds:
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km), <em>(Adriatic Sea)</em> Po (76,997 sq km), <em>(Mediterranean Sea) </em>Rhone (100,543 sq km)

population_distribution:
despite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations

natural_hazards:
<p>regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m), which is in eruption as of 2010, is Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in the Bay of Naples area, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini</p>

geography_note:
strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe


id: jn
location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea, northeast of Iceland
coordinates: 71 00 N, 8 00 W
coastline: 124.1 km
climate: arctic maritime with frequent storms and persistent fog
terrain: volcanic island, partly covered by glaciers
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards:
<p>dominated by the volcano Beerenberg</p><p><strong>volcanism:</strong> Beerenberg (2,227 m) is Norway's only active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent eruption occurred in 1985</p>

geography_note:
barren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon "bowl") and the smaller Sor-Jan (the "handle"), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the "stem") with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon)


id: kv
location: Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
coordinates: 42 35 N, 21 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
irrigated_land: NA
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
climate:
influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December

terrain:
flat fluvial basin at an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m

population_distribution:
population clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina

geography_note:
the 41-km long Nerodimka River divides into two branches each of which flows into a different sea: the northern branch flows into the Sitnica River, which via the Ibar, Morava, and Danube Rivers ultimately flows into the Black Sea; the southern branch flows via the Lepenac and Vardar Rivers into the Aegean Sea


id: lg
location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Estonia and Lithuania
coordinates: 57 00 N, 25 00 E
coastline: 498 km
climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters
terrain: low plain
irrigated_land: 12 sq km (2012)
natural_hazards: large percentage of agricultural fields can become waterlogged and require drainage
geography_note: most of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east
population_distribution:
largest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country


id: lh
location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Latvia and Russia, west of Belarus
coordinates: 56 00 N, 24 00 E
coastline: 90 km
climate: transitional, between maritime and continental; wet, moderate winters and summers
terrain: lowland, many scattered small lakes, fertile soil
irrigated_land: 44 sq km (2012)
salted_water_lakes: Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km
natural_hazards: occasional floods, droughts
geography_note: fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
population_distribution:
fairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda


id: lo
location: Central Europe, south of Poland
coordinates: 48 40 N, 19 30 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
terrain: rugged mountains in the central and northern part and lowlands in the south
irrigated_land: 869 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: flooding
major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border

geography_note:
landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys


id: ls
location: Central Europe, between Austria and Switzerland
coordinates: 47 16 N, 9 32 E
coastline: 0 km (doubly landlocked)
terrain: mostly mountainous (Alps) with Rhine Valley in western third
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
population_distribution: most of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River
natural_hazards: avalanches, landslides
climate:
continental; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain; cool to moderately warm, cloudy, humid summers

geography_note:
along with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation


id: lu
location: Western Europe, between France and Germany
coordinates: 49 45 N, 6 10 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: modified continental with mild winters, cool summers
irrigated_land: 0 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km)
population_distribution: most people live in the south, on or near the border with France
natural_hazards: occasional flooding
geography_note: landlocked; the only grand duchy in the world
terrain:
mostly gently rolling uplands with broad, shallow valleys; uplands to slightly mountainous in the north; steep slope down to Moselle flood plain in the southeast


id: md
location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
climate: moderate winters, warm summers
terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
irrigated_land: 2,283 sq km (2012)
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: landslides
major_rivers:
Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km<br><strong>note</strong> – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

population_distribution:
pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti

geography_note:
landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone


id: mj
location: Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
coordinates: 42 30 N, 19 18 E
coastline: 293.5 km
irrigated_land: 24 sq km (2012)
fresh_water_lakes: Lake Scutari (shared with Albania) - 400 sq km<br>note - largest lake in the Balkans
major_watersheds: Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)
natural_hazards: destructive earthquakes
geography_note: strategic location along the Adriatic coast
climate:
Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland

terrain:
highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus

population_distribution:
highest population density is concentrated in the south, southwest; the extreme eastern border is the least populated area


