LocationSouthern Asia, between China and India Geographic coordinates28 00 N, 84 00 E Map referencesAsia Areatotal: 147,181 sq km Area - comparativeslightly larger than Arkansas Land boundariestotal: 2,926 km Coastline0 km (landlocked) Maritime claimsnone (landlocked) Climatevaries from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south TerrainTarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Elevation extremeslowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 m Natural resourcesquartz, water, timber, hydropower, scenic beauty, small deposits of lignite, copper, cobalt, iron ore Land usearable land: 16.07% Irrigated land11,700 sq km (2003) Total renewable water resources210.2 cu km (1999) Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 10.18 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) Natural hazardssevere thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons Environment - current issuesdeforestation (overuse of wood for fuel and lack of alternatives); contaminated water (with human and animal wastes, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluents); wildlife conservation; vehicular emissions Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Geography - notelandlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest - on the borders with China and India respectively |
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Source: CIA World Factbook | |