Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of
Mozambique

20 00 S, 47 00 E

Africa

total: 587,040 sq km
land: 581,540 sq km
water: 5,500 sq km

slightly less than twice the size of Arizona

0 km

4,828 km

contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or 100 nm from the 2,500-m deep isobath
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south

narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m

graphite, chromite, coal, bauxite, salt, quartz,
tar sands, semiprecious stones, mica, fish, hydropower

arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 41%
forests and woodland: 40%
other: 14% (1993 est.)

10,870 sq km (1993 est.)

periodic cyclones

soil erosion results from deforestation
and overgrazing; desertification; surface water contaminated with raw
sewage and other organic wastes; several species of flora and fauna
unique to the island are endangered

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban,
Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location
along Mozambique Channel