Zimbabwe's Geography | Zimbabwe Geography

Location: Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia

Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: Total: 390,580 sq km land: 386,670 sq km water: 3,910 sq km

Area - comparative: Slightly larger than Montana

Land boundaries: Total: 3,066 km border countries: Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, Zambia 797 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: None (landlocked)

Climate: Tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March)

Terrain: Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 m highest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

Natural resources: Coal, chromium ore, asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium, tin, platinum group metals

Land use: Arable land: 8.32% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 91.34% (2001)

Irrigated land: 1,170 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: Recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare

Environment - current issues: Deforestation; soil erosion; land degradation; air and water pollution; the black rhinoceros herd - once the largest concentration of the species in the world - has been significantly reduced by poaching; poor mining practices have led to toxic waste and heavy metal pollution

Environment - international agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: Landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water

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