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

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

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

landlocked

landlocked

landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed

• strategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa 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 that controls the lower Congo River and 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

strategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields, Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 27 April 1993

landlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa

landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 27 April 1993

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

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

Published as “Note”

The war between Israel and the Arab states in June 1967 ended with Israel in control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Sinai, and the Golan Heights. As stated in the 1978 Camp David accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties.

Camp David further specifies that these negotiations will resolve the respective boundaries. Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has yet to be determined. In the US view, the term West Bank describes all of the area west of the Jordan River under Jordanian administration before the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. With respect to negotiations envisaged in the framework agreement, however, it is US policy that a distinction must be made between Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank because of the city's special status and circumstances. Therefore, a negotiated solution for the final status of Jerusalem could be different in character from that of the rest of the West Bank.

Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake

defense is the responsibility of France

defense is the responsibility of France

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

• landlocked;
• 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”

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

landlocked

Published as “Note”

part of Comoro Archipelago

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar

Walvis Bay area is an exclave of South Africa in Namibia

landlocked

defense is the responsibility of France

landlocked

Published as “Note”

Napoleon Bonaparte's place of exile and burial; harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown anywhere else in the world

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

The Gambia is almost an enclave

Published as “Note”

• Serbia and Montenegro have asserted the formation of a joint independent state, but this entity has not been formally recognized as a state by the US;
• the US view is that the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY) has dissolved and that none of the successor republics represents its continuation

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; South Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Swaziland

largest country in Africa

Published as “Note”

climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

strategic location in central Mediterranean

landlocked

landlocked

landlocked

Published as “Note”

the coldest, windiest, highest, and driest continent

Published as “Note”

• the Antarctic Treaty prohibits any measures of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military maneuvers, or the testing of any type of weapon;
• it permits the use of military personnel or equipment for scientific research or for any other peaceful purposes

Published as “Note”

located in the South Atlantic Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Published as “Note”

remote location in the southern Indian Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

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;
• more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

defense is the responsibility of Norway

Published as “Note”

• northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway;
• consists of nine main islands;
• glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area

Published as “Note”

demilitarized by treaty (9 February 1920)

landlocked

landlocked

landlocked

• 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;
• island is site of joint US-UK military facility

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

Published as “Note”

transportation network is disrupted by ethnic conflict, criminal activities, and fuel shortages

Published as “Note”

Georgian forces are poorly organized and not fully under the government's control

dominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes

strategic location in northeast Asia

landlocked

strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia

landlocked

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

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

landlocked; strategic location between China and India

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

largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world

strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes

landlocked

landlocked

landlocked

defense is the responsibility of the UK

defense is the responsibility of the Netherlands

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

Published as “Note”

largest country in Caribbean

Published as “Note”

the breakup of the Soviet Union, the key military supporter and supplier of Cuba, has resulted in substantially less outside help for Cuba's defense forces

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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

defense is responsibility of France

no natural harbors on west coast

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

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

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

located 400 km east southeast of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

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 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

some islands of the Grenadines group are administered by Grenada

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Published as “Note”

• important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal;
• Saint 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

landlocked

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

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

controls most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits

• 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

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

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

largest West European nation

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea

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; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands

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 Ukraine and Mediterranean basin

Published as “Note”

strategic location on major air and sea routes between North American and northern Europe

Published as “Note”

The Arab territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the data below. As stated in the 1978 Camp David Accords and reaffirmed by President Bush's post-Gulf crisis peace initiative, the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, their relationship with their neighbors, and a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan are to be negotiated among the concerned parties. The Camp David Accords further specify that these negotiations will resolve the location of the respective boundaries.

Pending the completion of this process, it is US policy that the final status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has yet to be determined (see West Bank and Gaza Strip entries). On 25 April 1982, Israel relinquished control of the Sinai to Egypt. Statistics for the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are included in the Syria entry.

Published as “Note”

one small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest, and is a bird sanctuary

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

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

Lebanon has made progress toward rebuilding its political institutions and regaining its national sovereignty since the end of the devastating 16-year civil war in October 1990. Under the Ta'if accord - the blueprint for national reconciliation - the Lebanese have established a more equitable political system, particularly by giving Muslims a greater say in the political process. Since December 1990, the Lebanese have formed three cabinets and conducted the first legislative election in 20 years.

Most of the militias have been weakened or disbanded. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has seized vast quantities of weapons used by the militias during the war and extended central government authority over about one-half of the country. Hizballah, the radical Sh'ia party, is the only significant group that retains most of its weapons. Foreign forces still occupy areas of Lebanon. Israel continues to support a proxy militia, The Army of South Lebanon (ASL), along a narrow stretch of territory contiguous to its border.

The ASL's enclave encompasses this self-declared security zone and about 20 kilometers north to the strategic town of Jazzine. As of December 1992, Syria maintained about 30,000 troops in Lebanon. These troops are based mainly in Beirut, North Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley. Syria's deployment was legitimized by the Arab League early in Lebanon's civil war and in the Ta'if accord. Citing the continued weakness of the LAF, Beirut's requests, and failure of the Lebanese Government to implement all of the constitutional reforms in the Ta'if accord, Damascus has so far refused to withdraw its troops from Beirut.

Published as “Note”

landlocked

Published as “Note”

defense is responsibility of Switzerland

landlocked

the country comprises an archipelago, with only the 3 largest islands (Malta, Gozo, and Comino) being inhabited

landlocked

Published as “Note”

second smallest independent state in world (after Holy See)

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of France

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

landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline

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, Moldova, and Ukraine

landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco

controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast

landlocked

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;
• along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest elevations in Europe

strategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second largest country in Europe

lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and now being linked by tunnel under the English Channel

• close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources;
• strategic location in Persian Gulf through which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean

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”

Georgia is currently besieged by conflicts driven by separatists in its Abkazian and South Ossetian enclaves, and supporters of ousted President GAMAKHURDIA control much of western Georgia

there are 175 Jewish settlements in the West Bank, 38 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 18 in the Gaza Strip, and 14 Israeli-built Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem

strategic location at head of Persian Gulf

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

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 petroleum deposits

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

there are 38 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

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

Published as “Note”

landlocked; there are 175 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 Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes

Published as “Note”

some reclaimed land leased by US Government

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the UK

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

defense is the responsibility of France

strategic location on southern border of US

defense is the responsibility of France

world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, 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 in the South Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country

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

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

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

Published as “Note”

Makatea in French Polynesia is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (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

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

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

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

Published as “Note”

• strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean;
• 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;
• site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS)

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

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

Published as “Note”

• Bikini and Eniwetok 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

defense is the responsibility of the US

Published as “Note”

closed to the public

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US

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

defense is the responsibility of France

Published as “Note”

one of world's largest coral islands

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of New Zealand

defense is the responsibility of Australia

Published as “Note”

strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Published as “Note”

defense is the responsibility of the US