Note In 6 editions of 36.

second largest country in Africa (after Sudan)

Cabinda is separated from rest of country by Zaire

Published as “Note”

navigational hazard since it is usually under water during high tide; located in southern Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; no natural harbors

landlocked; very long boundary with South Africa

landlocked

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed

• strategic location 500 km from African coast near major north-south sea routes;
• important communications station;
• important sea and air refueling site

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel

important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia

• controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere;
• controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean;
• size and juxtaposition to Israel establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics

insular and continental regions rather widely separated

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

• strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields;
• major resettlement project ongoing in rural areas will significantly alter population distribution and settlement patterns over the next several decades

Published as “Note”

located in the Mozambique Channel 340 km west of Madagascar

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

Lake Volta is world's largest artificial lake

Published as “Note”

located in the Indian Ocean just north of the Mozambique Channel between Africa and Madagascar

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

located in the central Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar

Published as “Note”

one weather station

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

Kenyan Highlands one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa

surrounded by South Africa; Highlands Water Project will control, store, and redirect water to South Africa

the Great Manmade River Project, the largest water development scheme in the world, is being built to bring water from large aquifers under the Sahara to coastal cities

world's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel

Published as “Note”

landlocked

Published as “Note”

• there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.)

Published as “Note”

a majority of exports would normally go through Mozambique on the Beira or Nacala railroads, but now most go through South Africa because of insurgent activity and damage to rail lines

landlocked

located 900 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean

Published as “Note”

part of Comoro Archipelago; located in the Mozambique Channel about halfway between Africa and Madagascar

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

• there are 800,000 Mozambican refugees in Malawi (1989 est.)

Published as “Note”

Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia

Published as “Note”

• the South-West Africa Territorial Force, established in 1980, was demobilized in June 1989;
• a new national defense force will probably be formed by the new government

landlocked

Published as “Note”

located 750 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

landlocked

Published as “Note”

Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial; the remains were taken to Paris in 1840

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

located south of Nigeria and west of Gabon near the Equator in the North Atlantic Ocean

The Gambia is almost an enclave

located north-northeast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean

strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal

• Walvis Bay is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia;
• completely surrounds Lesotho;
• almost completely surrounds Swaziland

largest country in Africa

Published as “Note”

located 350 km east of Madagascar and 600 km north of Reunion in the Indian Ocean; climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

• strategic location in central Mediterranean;
• only 144 km from Italy across the Strait of Sicily;
• borders Libya on east

landlocked

landlocked

landlocked

Published as “Note”

the coldest continent

Published as “Note”

none; Article 7 of the Antarctic Treaty states that advance notice of all activities and the introduction of military personnel must be given

Published as “Note”

located in the South Atlantic Ocean 2,575 km south-southwest of the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Published as “Note”

located in the southern Indian Ocean about equidistant between Africa, Antarctica, and Australia

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

located 4,100 km southwest of Australia in the southern Indian Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Published as “Note”

the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of Denmark

strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country

Published as “Note”

located 590 km north-northwest of Iceland between the Greenland Sea and the Norwegian Sea north of the Arctic Circle

Published as “Note”

administered by a governor (sysselmann) resident in Longyearbyen (Svalbard)

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Published as “Note”

located 445 km north of Norway where the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea meet

Published as “Note”

demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)

landlocked

almost completely surrounded by India

• landlocked;
• strategic location between China and India;
• controls several key Himalayan mountain passes

Published as “Note”

• Diego Garcia,
• largest and southernmost island,
• occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

world's third-largest country (after USSR and Canada)

dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes

strategic location in northeast Asia

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and USSR

Published as “Notes”

strategic location along the Korea Strait, Sea of Japan, and Yellow Sea

archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean

landlocked; strategic location between China and Soviet Union

landlocked; strategic location between China and India

controls Khyber Pass and Malakand Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent

only 29 km from India across the Palk Strait; near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

Published as “Note”

located 270 km east of Puerto Rico

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

420 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico

Published as “Note”

28 km north of Venezuela

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands until 1996

strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain

easternmost Caribbean island

• national capital moved 80 km inland from Belize City to Belmopan because of hurricanes;
• only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

important location between Cuba and Central America

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

largest country in Caribbean; 145 km south of Florida

located 550 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic)

smallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on Caribbean Sea

islands of the Grenadines group are divided politically with St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Published as “Note”

located 500 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of France

no natural harbors on west coast

shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic

strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal

Published as “Note”

located 625 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

located 400 km southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

strategic location between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea; 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

consists of two island groups--Curacao and Bonaire are located off the coast of Venezuela, and Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius lie 800 km to the north

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of the Netherlands

• strategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America;
• controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

• important location between the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands group along the Mona Passage--a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal;
• San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean

Published as “Note”

• defense is the responsibility of the US;
• paramilitary National Guard;
• police force of 10,050 men and women (1984)

located 320 km southeast of Puerto Rico

located 700 km southeast of Puerto Rico

some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada

located 11 km from Venezuela

Published as “Note”

located 190 km north of the Dominican Republic in the North Atlantic Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

• important location 1,770 km southeast of Miami and 65 km east of Puerto Rico, along the Anegada Passage--a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal;
• St. Thomas has one of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

Published as “Note”

landlocked

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France and Spain

• landlocked;
• strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys;
• major river is the Danube

• majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels;
• crossroads of Western Europe;
• Brussels is the seat of the EC

strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia

• landlocked;
• strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe;
• Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe

controls Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

Published as “Note”

strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic about midway between Iceland and Shetland Islands

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

long boundary with USSR; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent

largest West European nation

strategic location on North European Plain and near the entrance to the Baltic Sea; West Berlin is an enclave (about 116 km by air or 176 km by road from FRG)

West Berlin is an exclave (about 116 km by air or 176 km by road from FRG)

Published as “Note”

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

strategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits

Published as “Note”

52 km west of France

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

• landlocked;
• enclave of Rome, Italy;
• world's smallest state;
• outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between USSR and Mediterranean basin

Published as “Note”

located in Irish Sea equidistant from England, Scotland, and Ireland

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe

Published as “Note”

largest and southernmost of Channel Islands; 27 km from France

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

landlocked

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of Switzerland

landlocked

strategic location in central Mediterranean, 93 km south of Sicily, 290 km north of Libya

Published as “Note”

second-smallest independent state in world (after Vatican City)

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, Schelde)

• strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic;
• one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world;
• Norway and Turkey only NATO members having a land boundary with the USSR

historically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain

Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

controls most easily traversable land route between the Balkans and western USSR

• landlocked;
• world's smallest republic;
• enclave of Italy

largest country in world, but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of world

strategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar

strategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe

lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France

controls the most important land routes from central and western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish straits

proximity to primary Middle Eastern crude oil sources and strategic location in Persian Gulf through which much of Western world's crude oil must transit to reach open ocean

Published as “Note”

there are 18 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip

Published as “Note”

The Gaza Strip is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the Gaza Strip will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how this area is to be governed.

Published as “Note”

landlocked; located west of quadripoint with Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia

Published as “Note”

defense is the joint responsibility of Iraq and Saudi Arabia

there are 173 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, 35 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 18 in the Gaza Strip, and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

1.5-1.7 million Palestinians live on the East Bank (55-60% of the population), most are Jordanian citizens

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

Published as “Note”

Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary

Published as “Note”

Between early 1975 and late 1976 Lebanon was torn by civil war between its Christians--then aided by Syrian troops--and its Muslims and their Palestinian allies. The cease-fire established in October 1976 between the domestic political groups generally held for about six years, despite occasional fighting. Syrian troops constituted as the Arab Deterrent Force by the Arab League have remained in Lebanon. Syria's move toward supporting the Lebanese Muslims and the Palestinians and Israel's growing support for Lebanese Christians brought the two sides into rough equilibrium, but no progress was made toward national reconciliation or political reforms--the original cause of the war.

Continuing Israeli concern about the Palestinian presence in Lebanon led to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982. Israeli forces occupied all of the southern portion of the country and mounted a summer-long siege of Beirut, which resulted in the evacuation of the PLO from Beirut in September under the supervision of a multinational force (MNF) made up of US, French, and Italian troops. Within days of the departure of the MNF, Lebanon's newly elected president, Bashir Gemayel, was assassinated.

In the wake of his death, Christian militiamen massacred hundreds of Palestinian refugees in two Beirut camps. This prompted the return of the MNF to ease the security burden on Lebanon's weak Army and security forces. In late March 1984 the last MNF units withdrew. Lebanese Parliamentarians met in Taif, Saudi Arabia in late 1989 and concluded a national reconciliation pact that codified a new power-sharing formula, specifiying a Christian president but giving Muslims more authority.

Rene Muawad was subsequently elected president on 4 November 1989, ending a 13-month period during which Lebanon had no president and rival Muslim and Christian governments. Muawad was assassinated 17 days later, on 22 November; on 24 November Elias Harawi was elected to succeed Muawad. Progress toward lasting political compromise in Lebanon has been stalled by opposition from Christian strongman Gen. Michel Awn. Awn--appointed acting Prime Minister by outgoing president Amin Gemayel in September 1988--called the national reconciliation accord illegitimate and has refused to recognize the new Lebanese Government.

Lebanon continues to be partially occupied by Syrian troops. Syria augmented its troop presence during the weeks following Muawad's assassination. Troops are deployed in West Beirut and its southern suburbs, in Al Biqa, and in northern Lebanon. Iran also maintains a small contingent of revolutionary guards in Al Biqa, from which it supports Lebanese Islamic fundamentalist groups. Israel withdrew the bulk of its forces from the south in 1985, although it still retains troops in a 10-km-deep security zone north of its border with Lebanon.

Israel arms and trains the Army of South Lebanon (ASL), which also occupies the security zone and is Israel's first line of defense against attacks on its northern border. The following description is based on the present constitutional and customary practices of the Lebanese system.

strategic location with small foothold on Musandam Peninsula controlling Strait of Hormuz (17% of world's oil production transits this point going from Persian Gulf to Arabian Sea)

strategic location in central Persian Gulf near major crude oil sources

extensive coastlines on Persian Gulf and Red Sea provide great leverage on shipping (especially crude oil) through Persian Gulf and Suez Canal

there are 35 Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights

• strategic location controlling the Turkish straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas;
• Turkey and Norway only NATO members having a land boundary with the USSR

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

Published as “Note”

landlocked; there are 173 Jewish settlements in the West Bank and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

Published as “Note”

The West Bank is currently governed by Israeli military authorities and Israeli civil administration. It is US policy that the final status of the West Bank will be determined by negotiations among the concerned parties. These negotiations will determine how the area is to be governed.

controls northern approaches to Bab el Mandeb linking Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

controls southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb linking Red Sea to Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

Published as “Note”

1,050 km east of North Carolina; some reclaimed land leased by US Government

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

second-largest country in world (after USSR); strategic location between USSR and US via north polar route

Published as “Note”

located 1,120 km southwest of Mexico in the North Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

strategic location on southern border of US

Published as “Note”

located 25 km south of Newfoundland, Canada, in the North Atlantic Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

world's fourth-largest country (after USSR, Canada, and China)

Published as “Note”

• Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds;
• strategic location about 3,700 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Published as “Note”

about 65,000 American Samoans live in the States of California and Washington and 20,000 in Hawaii

Published as “Note”

• administered by the US Department of Interior,
• Office of Territorial and International Affairs;
• indigenous inhabitants are US nationals,
• not citizens of the US

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country

Published as “Note”

remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

Published as “Note”

• American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II;
• occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war;
• public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators;
• a cemetery and cemetery ruins located near the middle of the west coast

Published as “Note”

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

Published as “Note”

located 4,500 km south of Hawaii in the South Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

Published as “Note”

the islands are located just off the northeast coast of Australia in the Coral Sea

Published as “Note”

• defense is the responsibility of Australia;
• visited regularly by the Royal Australian Navy;
• Australia has control over the activities of visitors

located 2,500 km north of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

Makatea is one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific (others are Banaba or Ocean Island in Kiribati and Nauru)

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

• largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
• strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean 5,955 km west-southwest of Honolulu about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and the Philippines

Published as “Note”

relations between Guam and the US are under the jurisdiction of the Office of Territorial and International Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

remote location 2,575 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, just north of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia

Published as “Note”

• American civilians evacuated in 1942 after Japanese air and naval attacks during World War II;
• occupied by US military during World War II, but abandoned after the war;
• public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators

Published as “Note”

Earhart Light is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast that was partially destroyed during World War II, but has since been rebuilt in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

Published as “Note”

2,090 km south of Honolulu in the South Pacific Ocean, just south of the Equator, about halfway between Hawaii and the Cook Islands

Published as “Note”

• Millersville settlement on western side of island occasionally used as a weather station from 1935 until World War II, when it was abandoned;
• reoccupied in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year by scientists who left in 1958;
• public entry is by special-use permit only and generally restricted to scientists and educators

Published as “Note”

there is a day beacon near the middle of the west coast

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US; visited annually by the US Coast Guard

Published as “Note”

• strategic location 1,328 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about one-third of the way between Hawaii and the Marshall Islands;
• Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands;
• North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging;
• closed to the public;
• former nuclear weapons test site

Published as “Note”

US Coast Guard operates a LORAN transmitting station

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

• located 1,600 km south-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa;
• maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes this a navigational hazard;
• closed to the public

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Banaba or Ocean Island is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific (the others are Makatea in French Polynesia and Nauru)

Published as “Note”

• located 3,825 km southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way between Hawaii and Papua New Guinea;
• Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites;
• Kwajalein, the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile test range

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

located 5,150 km west-southwest of Honolulu in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way between Hawaii and Indonesia

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

located 2,350 km west-northwest of Honolulu at the western end of Hawaiian Islands group, about one-third of the way between Honolulu and Tokyo; closed to the public

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

one of three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific (others are Banaba or Ocean Island in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia)

Published as “Note”

located 1,750 km east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

one of world's largest coral islands; located about 460 km east of Tonga

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand