Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between
Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria

6 00 N, 12 00 E

Africa

total: 475,440 sq km
land: 469,440 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km

slightly larger than California

total: 4,591 km
border countries: Central African Republic 797 km, Chad 1,094 km,
Republic of the Congo 523 km, Equatorial Guinea 189 km, Gabon 298 km,
Nigeria 1,690 km

402 km

territorial sea: 50 nm

varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid
and hot in north

diverse, with coastal plain in southwest, dissected plateau
in center, mountains in west, plains in north

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Fako 4,095 m

petroleum, bauxite, iron ore, timber, hydropower

arable land: 13%
permanent crops: 2%
permanent pastures: 4%
forests and woodland: 78%
other: 3% (1993 est.)

210 sq km (1993 est.)

recent volcanic activity with release of poisonous
gases

water-borne diseases are prevalent;
deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; poaching; overfishing

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban

sometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa