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Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria
Geographic coordinates: 6 00 N, 12 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area:
total:
475,440 kmē
land:
469,440 kmē
water:
6,000 kmē
Area - comparative: slightly larger than California
Land boundaries:
total:
4,591 km
border countries:
Coastline: 402 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
50 nm
Climate: varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot in north
Terrain: diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau in center, mountains in west, plains in north
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
highest point:
Natural resources:
petroleum, bauxite, iron oresteel production. Iron ores are minerals from which metallic iron can be extracted. The iron itself is usually found in the form of magnetite (FeO) or hematite (FeO), both of which are iron oxides. However, as much of the pure magnetite and hematite ore h, timberTimber is a term used to describe clusters of trees. It is also used to describe wood throughout its processing from the time it is cut down to the time it is used as a structural material. The word timber is also used as an exclamation when a tree falls., hydropowerHydropower (or waterpower harnesses the energy of moving or falling water. This is usually in the form of hydroelectricity from a dam, but it can be used directly as a mechanical force. The term refers to a number of systems in which flowing water drivesLand use:
arable land:
13%
permanent crops:
2%
permanent pastures:
4%
forests and woodland:
78%
other:
3% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 210 kmē (1993 est.)
Natural hazards: Recent volcanicThis article is about volcanoes geology. For the action movie see: Volcano (movie). A volcano (plural, volcanoes) is a geological landform (usually a mountain) where magma (rock of the earth's interior made molten or liquid by high pressure and temperatur activity with release of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos, August 21August 21 is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 132 days remaining. Events 1600-1799 1680 Pueblo Indians captured Santa Fe from Spanish during the Pueblo Revolt 1770 James Cook formally claims eastern Aust, 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa, killing 1700
Environment - current issues: water-borne diseases are prevalent; deforestationDeforestation in general is the removal of trees. This often is a result of human activities. Deforestation has been practiced by humans for thousands of years chiefly as a result of clearing land for commercial and industrial development, cutting wood fo; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
signed, but not ratified:
Geography - note: sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa