Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between
Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Africa

total: 1,246,700 sq km
land: 1,246,700 sq km
water: 0 sq km

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

total: 5,198 km
border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which
220 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of
the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

1,600 km

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

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

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper,
feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

arable land: 2%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 23%
forests and woodland: 43%
other: 32% (1993 est.)

750 sq km (1993 est.)

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on
the plateau

overuse of pastures and subsequent soil
erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification;
deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both
international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel,
resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water
pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of
potable water

party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change

Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the
Democratic Republic of the Congo