My World Factbook
(Learn more about the new, improved World Factbook)
Note: Most information adapted from the popular World Factbook is distributed between the websites GeoWorld (geography, people, communications & transportation), Politix (government) and Great Depression II (economy).
Geography
Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, east of Ethiopia
10 00 N, 49 00 E
Area: 
total: 637,657 sq km
country comparison to the world: 
43
land: 627,337 sq km
water: 10,320 sq km
slightly smaller than Texas
total: 2,340 km
border countries: Djibouti 58 km, Ethiopia 1,600 km, Kenya 682 km
3,025 km
territorial sea: 200 nm
Current Weather
principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
mostly flat to undulating plateau rising to hills in north
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
uranium and largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt, natural gas, likely oil reserves
arable land: 1.64%
permanent crops: 0.04%
other: 98.32% (2005)
2,000 sq km (2003)
15.7 cu km (1997)
total: 3.29 cu km/yr (0%/0%/100%)
per capita: 400 cu m/yr (2000)
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season
famine; use of contaminated water contributes to human health problems; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal
The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism - 
