Part 709

Map ---

Location: 26 30 S, 31 30 E -- Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Flag ----

Description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in yellow; centered in the red band is a large black and white shield covering two spears and a staff decorated with feather tassels, all placed horizontally

Geography ---------

Location: Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa

Geographic coordinates: 26 30 S, 31 30 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 17,360 sq km land area: 17,200 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than New Jersey

Land boundaries: total: 535 km border countries: Mozambique 105 km, South Africa 430 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

International disputes: Swaziland has asked South Africa to open negotiations on reincorporating some nearby South African territories that are populated by ethnic Swazis or that were long ago part of the Swazi Kingdom

Climate: varies from tropical to near temperate

Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains lowest point: Great Usutu River 21 m highest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Natural resources: asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc

Land use: arable land: 11% permanent crops: NEGL meadows and pastures: 62% forest and woodland: 7% other: 20%

Irrigated land: 640 sq km (1993 est.)

Environment: current issues: limited access to potable water; wildlife populations being depleted because of excessive hunting; overgrazing; soil degradation; soil erosion natural hazards: NA international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified - Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

People ------

Population: 998,730 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 46% (male 227,634; female 229,129) 15-64 years: 52% (male 247,156; female 271,096) 65 years and over: 2% (male 9,864; female 13,851) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.24% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 42.91 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 10.56 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)