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	Geography - note (2001)	Geography - note (2004)
Afghanistan	landlocked	landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)
Akrotiri	-	British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Andorra	landlocked	landlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees
Angola	Cabinda is separated from rest of country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo	the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Anguilla	-	the most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles
Antigua and Barbuda	-	Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a very large western harbor
Argentina	second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between South Atlantic and South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)	second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); Cerro Aconcagua is South America's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere
Armenia	landlocked	landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range
Aruba	-	a flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit)
Azerbaijan	landlocked	both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked
Bahamas, The	strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain	strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited
Bahrain	close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf which much of Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean	close to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean
Bangladesh	-	most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
Bassas da India	-	the islands emerge from a circular reef that sits atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano
Belarus	landlocked	landlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes; the country is geologically well endowed with extensive deposits of granite, dolomitic limestone, marl, chalk, sand, gravel, and clay
Belgium	crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO	crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
Benin	no natural harbors	sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands
Bermuda	consists of about 360 small coral islands with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land, reclaimed and otherwise, was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995	consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by US Government from 1941 to 1995
Bosnia and Herzegovina	within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority	within Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Serbia and Montenegro (Montenegro), and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east
Burkina Faso	landlocked	landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
Burundi	landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed	landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile
Cameroon	sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa	sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano
Canada	second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 85% of the population is concentrated within 300 km of the US/Canada border	second-largest country in world (after Russia); strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km of the US border
China	world's fourth-largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US)	world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak;
Clipperton Island	reef about 8 km in circumference	reef 12 km in circumference
Cocos (Keeling) Islands	two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation	islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation
Congo, Democratic Republic of the	straddles Equator; very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo river and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands	straddles equator; has very narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River and is only outlet to South Atlantic Ocean; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands
Cook Islands	-	the northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles where most of the populace lives
Costa Rica	-	four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Cote d'Ivoire	-	most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated
Cuba	largest country in Caribbean	largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles
Cyprus	-	the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia)
Dhekelia	-	British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus
Djibouti	strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland	strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa
Dominica	-	known as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world
Dominican Republic	shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti)	shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti
East Timor	-	Timor comes from the Malay word for "East;" the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands
Egypt	controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, shortest sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees	controls Sinai Peninsula, only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees
Estonia	-	the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands
Ethiopia	landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993	landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia; three major crops are believed to have originated in Ethiopia: coffee, grain sorghum, and castor bean
French Guiana	mostly an unsettled wilderness	mostly an unsettled wilderness; the only non-independent portion of the South American continent
French Polynesia	includes five archipelagoes; 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	includes five archipelagoes (4 volcanic, 1 coral); 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
Gabon	-	a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
Gaza Strip	there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (August 2000 est.)	there are 25 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Gaza Strip (February 2002 est.)
Georgia	-	strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them
Ghana	Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake; northeasterly harmattan wind (January to March)	Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake
Glorioso Islands	-	the islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system
Guadeloupe	-	a narrow channel, the Riviere Salee, divides Guadeloupe proper into two islands: the larger, western Basse-Terre and the smaller, eastern Grande-Terre
Guinea	-	the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands
Guinea-Bissau	-	this small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying further inland
Guyana	-	the third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively
Heard Island and McDonald Islands	primarily used for research stations	-
Holy See (Vatican City)	urban; 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	urban; landlocked; enclave in 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
Honduras	-	has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast
Hungary	landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin	landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions
Indonesia	archipelago of 17,000 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles Equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean	archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited); straddles equator; strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from Indian Ocean to Pacific Ocean
Iran	-	strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
Iraq	-	strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf
Israel	there are 231 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 2000 est.)	there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank, 42 in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 25 in the Gaza Strip, and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 est.); Sea of Galilee is an important freshwater source
Jamaica	strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for Panama Canal	strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal
Johnston Atoll	strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; former US nuclear weapons test site; site of Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); some low-growing vegetation	strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a former US nuclear weapons test site; site of now-closed Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System (JACADS); most facilities dismantled and cleanup complete in 2004; some low-growing vegetation
Jordan	-	strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank
Kazakhstan	landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome	landlocked; Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baykonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050
Kenya	the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers on Mt. Kenya; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value	the Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value
Kiribati	20 of the 33 islands are inhabited; 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	21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; 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
Korea, South	-	strategic location on Korea Strait
Kyrgyzstan	landlocked	landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
Laos	landlocked	landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Latvia	-	most of the country is composed of fertile, low-lying plains, with some hills in the east
Lebanon	Nahr al Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity	Nahr el Litani only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity
Lesotho	landlocked; surrounded by South Africa	landlocked, completely surrounded by South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 meters above sea level
Liberia	-	facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture
Libya	-	more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert
Lithuania	-	fertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits
Luxembourg	landlocked	landlocked; the only Grand Duchy in the world
Macedonia	-	landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of	landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe	-
Malawi	landlocked	landlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature
Maldives	1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago of strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean	1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); archipelago with strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Mali	landlocked	landlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan
Martinique	-	the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 inhabitants
Mauritius	-	the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs
Mexico	strategic location on southern border of US	strategic location on southern border of US; corn (maize), one of the world's major grain crops, is thought to have originated in Mexico
Midway Islands	a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving	a coral atoll managed as a national wildlife refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography, sport fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at present (2004)
Moldova	landlocked	landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
Monaco	second smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban	second-smallest independent state in the world (after Holy See); almost entirely urban
Montserrat	-	the island is entirely volcanic in origin and contains seven active volcanoes
Mozambique	-	the Zambezi flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country
Namibia	-	first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip
Navassa Island	strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus	strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
Nepal	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks	landlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest - the world's tallest - on the border with China
Netherlands Antilles	-	the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles are divided geographically into the Leeward Islands (northern) group (Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten) and the Windward Islands (southern) group (Bonaire and Curacao)
New Caledonia	-	consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls
Nicaragua	-	largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
Niger	landlocked	landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world: northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Nigeria	-	the Niger enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea
Norfolk Island	-	most of the 32-km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
Norway	about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world; Norway is the only NATO member having a land boundary with Russia	about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlines in world
Palau	includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline chain	westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands
Paracel Islands	-	composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group
Paraguay	landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil	landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country
Peru	shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia	shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River
Philippines	-	the Philippine archipelago is made up of 7,107 islands; favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait
Pitcairn Islands	-	Britain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore
Reunion	-	this mountainous, volcanic island has an active volcano, Piton de la Fournaise; there is a tropical cyclone center at Saint-Denis, which is the monitoring station for the whole of the Indian Ocean
Russia	largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture	largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture; Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak
Rwanda	landlocked; predominantly rural population	landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural
Saint Kitts and Nevis	-	with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a three-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island
Saint Lucia	-	the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada	the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays
Samoa	-	occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
Sao Tome and Principe	-	the smallest country in Africa; the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are fairly mountainous
Senegal	The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal	westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal
Serbia and Montenegro	-	controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast
Sierra Leone	-	rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa
Slovakia	landlocked	landlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys
Slovenia	-	despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
Solomon Islands	-	strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands	the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in this century, live on South Georgia	the north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage; reindeer, introduced early in the 20th century, live on South Georgia
Suriname	mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, most of which lives along the coast	smallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast
Switzerland	landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France and northern Italy, contains the highest elevations in Europe	landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Syria	there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (August 1999 est.)	there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (February 2002 est.)
Taiwan	-	strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
Tajikistan	landlocked	landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR
Tanzania	Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa	Kilimanjaro is highest point in Africa; bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa in the southwest
Togo	-	the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna
Tokelau	-	consists of three atolls, each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over three meters above sea level
Tonga	archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)	archipelago of 169 islands (36 inhabited)
Trinidad and Tobago	-	Pitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt
Tromelin Island	climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary	climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)
Turkey	strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas	strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's Ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country
Turkmenistan	landlocked	landlocked; the western and central low-lying, desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau
Turks and Caicos Islands	30 islands (eight inhabited)	about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
Tuvalu	-	one of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon
Uganda	landlocked	landlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers
United States	world's third-largest country (after Russia and Canada)	world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Mt. McKinley is highest point in North America and Death Valley the lowest point on the continent
Uruguay	-	second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
Vanuatu	-	a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes
Venezuela	on major sea and air routes linking North and South America	on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall
Vietnam	-	extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point
Virgin Islands	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	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
West Bank	landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 231 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (August 1999 est.)	landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 244 West Bank settlements and 29 East Jerusalem settlements in addition to at least 20 occupied outposts(August 2003 est.)
Western Sahara	-	the waters off the coast are particularly rich fishing areas
World	-	the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13-billion-year age estimated for the universe
Yugoslavia	controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East; strategic location along the Adriatic coast	-
Zambia	landlocked	landlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe	landlocked	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