GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Central Asia, west of China
Map
references: Commonwealth of Independent States - Central Asian
States
Area:
total area: 198,500
sq km
land area: 191,300 sq
km
comparative
area: slightly smaller than South Dakota
Land
boundaries: total 3,878 km, China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051
km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime
claims: none; landlocked
International
disputes: territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern
boundary in Isfara Valley area
Climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest
(Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Terrain:
peaks of Tien Shan rise to 7,000 meters, and associated valleys
and basins encompass entire nation
Natural
resources: abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits
of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil and
natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead,
and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 7%
permanent crops: NEGL%
meadows and pastures:
42%
forest and woodland:
0%
other:
51%
Irrigated
land: 10,320 sq km (1990)
Environment:
current issues: water
pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated
streams and wells, as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent;
increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
natural hazards: NA
international
agreements: NA
Note:
landlocked
