|   |   | Geography - note (2003) | Geography - note (2005) | 
				  | 
				Akrotiri | 
				- | 
				British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus | 
				
				  | 
				Argentina | 
				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 the Valdes Peninsula is the lowest point on the continent | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				Australia | 
				world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; regular, tropical, invigorating, sea breeze known as "the Doctor" occurs along the west coast in the summer | 
				world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; population concentrated along the eastern and southeastern coasts; the invigorating tropical sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast, and is one of the most consistent winds in the world | 
				
				  | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				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 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); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak; | 
				world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US); Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak | 
				
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				Colombia | 
				only South American country with coastlines on both North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea | 
				only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea | 
				
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				Dhekelia | 
				- | 
				British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus | 
				
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				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 "Orient;" the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				Indonesia | 
				archipelago of more than 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 | 
				
				  | 
				Ireland | 
				strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 97 km of Dublin | 
				strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin | 
				
				  | 
				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; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; a 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 | 
				
				  | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				Laos | 
				landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand | 
				landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand | 
				
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				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 | 
				- | 
				
				  | 
				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; the refuge is temporarily closed for reorganization at present (2003) | 
				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) | 
				
				  | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				Philippines | 
				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 | 
				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 | 
				
				  | 
				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; Mount Elbrus is Europe's tallest peak | 
				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 | 
				
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				Senegal | 
				westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal | 
				westernmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal | 
				
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				Seychelles | 
				40 granitic and about 50 coralline islands | 
				41 granitic and about 75 coralline islands | 
				
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				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 the 21st 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 | 
				
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				West Bank | 
				landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are 242 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the West Bank and 29 in East Jerusalem (February 2002 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.) |