Location:
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of
Ethiopia
Geographic coordinates:
10 00 N, 49 00 E
Map references:
Africa
Area:
total:
637,660 sq km
land:
627,340 sq km
water:
10,320 sq km
Area—comparative:
slightly smaller than Texas
Land boundaries:
total:
2,366 km
border countries:
Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,626 km, Kenya 682 km
Coastline:
3,025 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
200 nm
Climate:
principally desert; December to February—northeast monsoon, moderate
temperatures in north and very hot in south; May to October—southwest
monsoon, torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot
and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Terrain:
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Shimbiris 2,416 m
Natural resources:
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite,
copper, salt
Land use:
arable land:
2%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
69%
forests and woodland:
26%
other:
3% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land:
1,800 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards:
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer
Environment—current issues:
famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems;
deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Environment—international agreements:
party to:
Endangered Species, Law of the Sea
signed, but not ratified:
Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban
Source: CIA World Fact Book
