Madagascarlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Maromokotro 2,876 m
Malawilowest point: junction of the Shire River and internationalboundary with Mozambique 37 mhighest point: Sapitwa (Mount Mlanje) 3,002 m
Malaysialowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,100 m
Maldiveslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Wilingili island in the AdduAtoll 2.4 m
Malilowest point: Senegal River 23 mhighest point: Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
Maltalowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Ta'Dmejrek 253 m (near Dingli)
Marshall Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 m
Martiniquelowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m
Mauritanialowest point: Sebkhet Te-n-Dghamcha -5 mhighest point: Kediet Ijill 915 m
Mauritiuslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Piton 828 m
Mayottelowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Benara 660 m
Mexicolowest point: Laguna Salada -10 mhighest point: Volcan Pico de Orizaba 5,700 m
Micronesia, Federated States oflowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Midway Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 13 m
Moldovalowest point: Dniester River 2 mhighest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m
Monacolowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mont Agel 140 m
Mongolialowest point: Hoh Nuur 518 mhighest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
Montenegrolowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Bobotov Kuk 2,522 m
Montserratlowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: lava dome in English's Crater (in the Soufriere Hillsvolcanic complex) estimated at over 930 m (2006)
Moroccolowest point: Sebkha Tah -55 mhighest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m
Mozambiquelowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Monte Binga 2,436 m
Namibialowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Konigstein 2,606 m
Naurulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location along plateau rim 61 m
Navassa Islandlowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
Nepallowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 mhighest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Netherlandslowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 mhighest point: Vaalserberg 322 m
Netherlands Antilleslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Scenery 862 m
New Caledonialowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m
New Zealandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m
Nicaragualowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mogoton 2,438 m
Nigerlowest point: Niger River 200 mhighest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m
Nigerialowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m
Niuelowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location near Mutalau settlement 68 m
Norfolk Islandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Bates 319 m
Northern Mariana Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Norwaylowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 mhighest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Omanlowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Pacific Oceanlowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench-10,924 mhighest point: sea level 0 m
Pakistanlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m
Palaulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m
Palmyra Atolllowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 2 m
Panamalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan de Chiriqui 3,475 m
Papua New Guinealowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m
Paracel Islandslowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m
Paraguaylowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mhighest point: Cerro Pero (Cerro Tres Kandu) 842 m
Perulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Philippineslowest point: Philippine Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
Pitcairn Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pawala Valley Ridge 347 m
Polandlowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 mhighest point: Rysy 2,499 m
Portugallowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico inthe Azores 2,351 m
Puerto Ricolowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Cerro de Punta 1,339 m
Qatarlowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Qurayn Abu al Bawl 103 m
Reunionlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Piton des Neiges 3,069 m
Romanialowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m
Russialowest point: Caspian Sea -28 mhighest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m
Rwandalowest point: Rusizi River 950 mhighest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
Saint Helenalowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,062 m; GreenMountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint HelenaIsland 818 m
Saint Kitts and Nevislowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m
Saint Lucialowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m
Samoalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mauga Silisili (Savaii) 1,857 m
San Marinolowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 mhighest point: Monte Titano 755 m
Sao Tome and Principelowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m
Saudi Arabialowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m
Senegallowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed feature near Nepen Diakha 581 m
Serbialowest point: NAhighest point: Daravica 2,656 m
Seychelleslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m
Sierra Leonelowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m
Singaporelowest point: Singapore Strait 0 mhighest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
Slovakialowest point: Bodrok River 94 mhighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m
Slovenialowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m
Solomon Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m
Somalialowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m
South Africalowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islandslowest point: AtlanticOcean 0 mhighest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m
Southern Oceanlowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of theSouth Sandwich Trenchhighest point: sea level 0 m
Spainlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m
Spratly Islandslowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m
Sri Lankalowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
Sudanlowest point: Red Sea 0 mhighest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m
Surinamelowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 mhighest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m
Svalbardlowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m
Swazilandlowest point: Great Usutu River 21 mhighest point: Emlembe 1,862 m
Swedenlowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, nearKristianstad -2.41 mhighest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m
Switzerlandlowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 mhighest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Syrialowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 mhighest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m
Taiwanlowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
Tajikistanlowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 mhighest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni 7,495 m
Tanzanialowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m
Thailandlowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 mhighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m
Togolowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Agou 986 m
Tokelaulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 5 m
Tongalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Kao Island 1,033 m
Trinidad and Tobagolowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m
Tromelin Islandlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 7 m
Tunisialowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 mhighest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m
Turkeylowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m
Turkmenistanlowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m; note -Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a waterlevel that fluctuates above and below the elevation of VpadinaAkchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m)note: Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with awater level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of VpadinaAkchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m)highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m
Turks and Caicos Islandslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Blue Hills 49 m
Tuvalulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 5 m
Ugandalowest point: Lake Albert 621 mhighest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m
Ukrainelowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m
United Arab Emirateslowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
United Kingdomlowest point: The Fens -4 mhighest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m
United Stateslowest point: Death Valley -86 mhighest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 m
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugeslowest point: PacificOcean 0 mhighest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island,unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m;Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location -less than 1 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; PalmyraAtoll, unnamed location - 2 m
Uruguaylowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
Uzbekistanlowest point: Sariqarnish Kuli -12 mhighest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m
Vanuatulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
Venezuelalowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m
Vietnamlowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Virgin Islandslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Crown Mountain 475 m
Wake Islandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 6 m
Wallis and Futunalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Singavi 765 m
West Banklowest point: Dead Sea -408 mhighest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m
Western Saharalowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 mhighest point: unnamed location 463 m
Worldlowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,540 mnote: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench isthe lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the PacificOceanhighest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m
Yemenlowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m
Zambialowest point: Zambezi river 329 mhighest point: unnamed location in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m
Zimbabwelowest point: junction of the Runde and Save rivers 162 mhighest point: Inyangani 2,592 m
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2021 Natural hazards
Afghanistandamaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;flooding; droughts
Albaniadestructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwesterncoast; floods; drought
Algeriamountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslidesand floods in rainy season
American Samoatyphoons common from December to March
Andorraavalanches
Angolalocally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
Anguillafrequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July toOctober)
Antarcticakatabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from thehigh interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs maycalve from ice shelf
Antigua and Barbudahurricanes and tropical storms (July toOctober); periodic droughts
Arctic Oceanice islands occasionally break away from northernEllesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenlandand extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtuallyice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructureicing from October to May
ArgentinaSan Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andessubject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that canstrike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding
Armeniaoccasionally severe earthquakes; droughts
Arubalies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt
Ashmore and Cartier Islandssurrounded by shoals and reefs that canpose maritime hazards
Atlantic Oceanicebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, andthe northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and havebeen spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; shipssubject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic fromOctober to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May toSeptember; hurricanes (May to December)
Australiacyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires
Austrialandslides; avalanches; earthquakes
Azerbaijandroughts
Bahamas, Thehurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensiveflood and wind damage
Bahrainperiodic droughts; dust storms
Baker Islandthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can bea maritime hazard
Bangladeshdroughts, cyclones; much of the country routinelyinundated during the summer monsoon season
Barbadosinfrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides
Bassas da Indiamaritime hazard since it is usually under waterduring high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodiccyclones
BelarusNA
Belgiumflooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimedcoastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Belizefrequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) andcoastal flooding (especially in south)
Beninhot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from Decemberto March
Bermudahurricanes (June to November)
Bhutanviolent storms from the Himalayas are the source of thecountry's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon;frequent landslides during the rainy season
Boliviaflooding in the northeast (March-April)
Bosnia and Herzegovinadestructive earthquakes
Botswanaperiodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from thewest, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscurevisibility
Bouvet IslandNA
Brazilrecurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frostin south
British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA
British Virgin Islandshurricanes and tropical storms (July toOctober)
Bruneityphoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Bulgariaearthquakes, landslides
Burkina Fasorecurring droughts
Burmadestructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslidescommon during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts
Burundiflooding, landslides, drought
Cambodiamonsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasionaldroughts
Cameroonvolcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gasesfrom Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes
Canadacontinuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle todevelopment; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, aresult of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, andNorth American interior, and produce most of the country's rain andsnow east of the mountains
Cape Verdeprolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind producesobscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active
Cayman Islandshurricanes (July to November)
Central African Republichot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affectnorthern areas; floods are common
Chadhot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodicdroughts; locust plagues
Chilesevere earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis
Chinafrequent typhoons (about five per year along southern andeastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts;land subsidence
Christmas Islandthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazard
Clipperton IslandNA
Cocos (Keeling) Islandscyclone season is October to April
Colombiahighlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasionalearthquakes; periodic droughts
Comoroscyclones possible during rainy season (December to April);Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano
Congo, Democratic Republic of the periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes
Congo, Republic of theseasonal flooding
Cook Islandstyphoons (November to March)
Coral Sea Islandsoccasional tropical cyclones
Costa Ricaoccasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season andlandslides; active volcanoes
Cote d'Ivoirecoast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; duringthe rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Croatiadestructive earthquakes
Cubathe east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November(in general, the country averages about one hurricane every otheryear); droughts are common
Cyprusmoderate earthquake activity; droughts
Czech Republicflooding
Denmarkflooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g.,parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland)that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
Djiboutiearthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbancesfrom the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods
Dominicaflash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanescan be expected during the late summer months
Dominican Republiclies in the middle of the hurricane belt andsubject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding;periodic droughts
East Timorfloods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis,tropical cyclones
Ecuadorfrequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods;periodic droughts
Egyptperiodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods,landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring;dust storms, sandstorms
El Salvadorknown as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimesdestructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptibleto hurricanes
Equatorial Guineaviolent windstorms, flash floods
Eritreafrequent droughts; locust swarms
Estoniasometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Ethiopiageologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible toearthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
Europa IslandNA
European Unionflooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainousarea; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy;periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)strong winds persist throughoutthe year
Faroe IslandsNA
Fijicyclonic storms can occur from November to January
FinlandNA
Franceflooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forestfires in south near the Mediterranean
French Guianahigh frequency of heavy showers and severethunderstorms; flooding
French Polynesiaoccasional cyclonic storms in January
French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paulare extinct volcanoes
GabonNA
Gambia, Thedrought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30years)
Gaza Stripdroughts
Georgiaearthquakes
Germanyflooding
Ghanadry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January toMarch; droughts
GibraltarNA
Glorioso Islandsperiodic cyclones
Greecesevere earthquakes
Greenlandcontinuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of theisland
Grenadalies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts fromJune to November
Guadeloupehurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe isan active volcano
Guamfrequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, butpotentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Guatemalanumerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violentearthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes andother tropical storms
GuernseyNA
Guineahot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility duringdry season
Guinea-Bissauhot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibilityduring dry season; brush fires
Guyanaflash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons
Haitilies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severestorms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes;periodic droughts
Heard Island and McDonald IslandsMawson Peak, an active volcano, ison Heard Island
Holy See (Vatican City)NA
Hondurasfrequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremelysusceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbeancoast
Hong Kongoccasional typhoons
Howland Islandthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazard
Icelandearthquakes and volcanic activity
Iles Eparsesall islands subject to periodic cyclonesBassas da India: maritime hazard since it is under water for aperiod of three hours prior to and following the high tide andsurrounded by reefs
Indiadroughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructiveflooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes
Indian Oceanoccasional icebergs pose navigational hazard insouthern reaches
Indonesiaoccasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes,volcanoes, forest fires
Iranperiodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Iraqdust storms, sandstorms, floods
IrelandNA
Isle of ManNA
Israelsandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts;periodic earthquakes
Italyregional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches,earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice
Jamaicahurricanes (especially July to November)
Jan Mayendominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg;volcanic activity resumed in 1970
Japanmany dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismicoccurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons
Jarvis Islandthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island posesa maritime hazard
JerseyNA
Johnston AtollNA
Jordandroughts; periodic earthquakes
Juan de Nova Islandperiodic cyclones
Kazakhstanearthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty
Kenyarecurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons
Kingman Reefwet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation ofabout 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard
Kiribatityphoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make themvery sensitive to changes in sea level
Korea, Northlate spring droughts often followed by severe flooding;occasional typhoons during the early fall
Korea, Southoccasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;low-level seismic activity common in southwest
Kuwaitsudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bringheavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and duststorms occur throughout the year, but are most common between Marchand August
KyrgyzstanNA
Laosfloods, droughts
LatviaNA
Lebanondust storms, sandstorms
Lesothoperiodic droughts
Liberiadust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December toMarch)
Libyahot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one tofour days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms
LiechtensteinNA
LithuaniaNA
LuxembourgNA
Macautyphoons
Macedoniahigh seismic risks
Madagascarperiodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation
MalawiNA
Malaysiaflooding, landslides, forest fires
Maldiveslow level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea levelrise
Malihot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons;recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding
MaltaNA
Marshall Islandsinfrequent typhoons
Martiniquehurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an averageof one major natural disaster every five years)
Mauritaniahot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily inMarch and April; periodic droughts
Mauritiuscyclones (November to April); almost completely surroundedby reefs that may pose maritime hazards
Mayottecyclones during rainy season
Mexicotsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructiveearthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific,Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts
Micronesia, Federated States oftyphoons (June to December)
Midway IslandsNA
Moldovalandslides (57 cases in 1998)
MonacoNA
Mongoliadust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and"zud," which is harsh winter conditions
Montenegrodestructive earthquakes
Montserratsevere hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions(Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)
Morocconorthern mountains geologically unstable and subject toearthquakes; periodic droughts
Mozambiquesevere droughts; devastating cyclones and floods incentral and southern provinces
Namibiaprolonged periods of drought
Nauruperiodic droughts
Navassa Islandhurricanes
Nepalsevere thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, andfamine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of thesummer monsoons
Netherlandsflooding
Netherlands AntillesCuracao and Bonaire are south of Caribbeanhurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, andSint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October
New Caledoniacyclones, most frequent from November to March
New Zealandearthquakes are common, though usually not severe;volcanic activity
Nicaraguadestructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremelysusceptible to hurricanes
Nigerrecurring droughts
Nigeriaperiodic droughts; flooding
Niuetyphoons
Norfolk Islandtyphoons (especially May to July)
Northern Mariana Islands active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Norwayrockslides, avalanches
Omansummer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms ininterior; periodic droughts
Pacific Oceansurrounded by a zone of violent volcanic andearthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring ofFire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and eastAsia from May to December (most frequent from July to October);tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strikeCentral America and Mexico from June to October (most common inAugust and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs inthe equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the WesternHemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructureicing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in thenorthern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December
Pakistanfrequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially innorth and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July andAugust)
Palautyphoons (June to December)
Palmyra AtollNA
Panamaoccasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area
Papua New Guineaactive volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ringof Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severeearthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis
Paracel Islandstyphoons
Paraguaylocal flooding in southeast (early September to June);poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)
Peruearthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanicactivity
Philippinesastride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struckby five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; activevolcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Pitcairn Islandstyphoons (especially November to March)
Polandflooding
PortugalAzores subject to severe earthquakes
Puerto Ricoperiodic droughts; hurricanes
Qatarhaze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Reunionperiodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton dela Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano
Romaniaearthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologicstructure and climate promote landslides
Russiapermafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment todevelopment; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes andearthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods andsummer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of EuropeanRussia
Rwandaperiodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in thenorthwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
Saint Helenaactive volcanism on Tristan da Cunha, last eruption in1961
Saint Kitts and Nevishurricanes (July to October)
Saint Luciahurricanes and volcanic activity
Saint Pierre and Miquelonpersistent fog throughout the year can bea maritime hazard
Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshurricanes; Soufriere volcano onthe island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat
Samoaoccasional typhoons; active volcanism
San MarinoNA
Sao Tome and PrincipeNA
Saudi Arabiafrequent sand and dust storms
Senegallowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Serbiadestructive earthquakes
Seychelleslies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare;short droughts possible
Sierra Leonedry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara(December to February); sandstorms, dust storms
SingaporeNA
SlovakiaNA
Sloveniaflooding and earthquakes
Solomon Islandstyphoons, but rarely destructive; geologicallyactive region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity
Somaliarecurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plainsin summer; floods during rainy season
South Africaprolonged droughts
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islandsthe South SandwichIslands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make themdifficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to activevolcanism
Southern Oceanhuge icebergs with drafts up to several hundredmeters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations andwith large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelffloored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances;high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especiallyMay-October; most of region is remote from sources of search andrescue
Spainperiodic droughts
Spratly Islandstyphoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a seriousmaritime hazard
Sri Lankaoccasional cyclones and tornadoes
Sudandust storms and periodic persistent droughts
SurinameNA
Svalbardice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transitpoint for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make partsof the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic
Swazilanddrought
Swedenice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulfof Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Switzerlandavalanches, landslides, flash floods
Syriadust storms, sandstorms
Taiwanearthquakes and typhoons
Tajikistanearthquakes and floods
Tanzaniaflooding on the central plateau during the rainy season;drought
Thailandland subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from thedepletion of the water table; droughts
Togohot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north duringwinter; periodic droughts
Tokelaulies in Pacific typhoon belt
Tongacyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activityon Fonuafo'ou
Trinidad and Tobagooutside usual path of hurricanes and othertropical storms
Tromelin IslandNA
TunisiaNA
Turkeysevere earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along anarc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van
TurkmenistanNA
Turks and Caicos Islandsfrequent hurricanes
Tuvalusevere tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, therewere three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive tochanges in sea level
UgandaNA
UkraineNA
United Arab Emiratesfrequent sand and dust storms
United Kingdomwinter windstorms; floods
United Statestsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity aroundPacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexicocoasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides inCalifornia; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost innorthern Alaska, a major impediment to development
United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, andJarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazardKingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation ofless than 1 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazardMidway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA
Uruguayseasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly andoccasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas),droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act asweather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapidchanges from weather fronts
UzbekistanNA
Vanuatutropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcaniceruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanismalso causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis
Venezuelasubject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Vietnamoccasional typhoons (May to January) with extensiveflooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
Virgin Islandsseveral hurricanes in recent years; frequent andsevere droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Wake Islandoccasional typhoons
Wallis and FutunaNA
West Bankdroughts
Western Saharahot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occurduring winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% oftime, often severely restricting visibility
Worldlarge areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones),natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcaniceruptions)
Yemensandstorms and dust storms in summer
Zambiaperiodic drought, tropical storms (November to April)
Zimbabwerecurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2022 People - note
Afghanistanof the estimated 4 million refugees in October 2001, 2.3million have returned
Ashmore and Cartier Islandsthe landing of illegal immigrants fromIndonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem
Cook Islands2001 census counted a resident population of 15,017
Cubaillicit migration is a continuing problem; Cubans attempt todepart the island and enter the US using homemade rafts, aliensmugglers, direct flights, or falsified visas; Cubans also usenon-maritime routes to enter the US including direct flights toMiami and over-land via the southwest border
Greecewomen, men, and children are trafficked to and within Greecefor the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor
RwandaRwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa
Turks and Caicos Islandsdestination and transit point for illegalHaitian immigrants bound for the Turks and Caicos Islands, TheBahamas, and US
This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006
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@2023 Area - comparative
Afghanistanslightly smaller than Texas
Akrotiriabout 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Albaniaslightly smaller than Maryland
Algeriaslightly less than 3.5 times the size of Texas
American Samoaslightly larger than Washington, DC
Andorra2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Angolaslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Anguillaabout half the size of Washington, DC
Antarcticaslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Antigua and Barbuda2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Arctic Oceanslightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Argentinaslightly less than three-tenths the size of the US
Armeniaslightly smaller than Maryland
Arubaslightly larger than Washington, DC
Ashmore and Cartier Islands about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Atlantic Oceanslightly less than 6.5 times the size of the US
Australiaslightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states
Austriaslightly smaller than Maine
Azerbaijanslightly smaller than Maine
Bahamas, Theslightly smaller than Connecticut
Bahrain3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Baker Islandabout 2.5 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Bangladeshslightly smaller than Iowa
Barbados2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Bassas da Indiaabout one-third the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Belarusslightly smaller than Kansas
Belgiumabout the size of Maryland
Belizeslightly smaller than Massachusetts
Beninslightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Bermudaabout one-third the size of Washington, DC
Bhutanabout half the size of Indiana
Boliviaslightly less than three times the size of Montana
Bosnia and Herzegovinaslightly smaller than West Virginia
Botswanaslightly smaller than Texas
Bouvet Islandabout 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Brazilslightly smaller than the US
British Indian Ocean Territory land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC
British Virgin Islandsabout 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Bruneislightly smaller than Delaware
Bulgariaslightly larger than Tennessee
Burkina Fasoslightly larger than Colorado
Burmaslightly smaller than Texas
Burundislightly smaller than Maryland
Cambodiaslightly smaller than Oklahoma
Cameroonslightly larger than California
Canadasomewhat larger than the US
Cape Verdeslightly larger than Rhode Island
Cayman Islands1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Central African Republicslightly smaller than Texas
Chadslightly more than three times the size of California
Chileslightly smaller than twice the size of Montana
Chinaslightly smaller than the US
Christmas Islandabout three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Clipperton Islandabout 12 times the size of The Mall in Washington,DC
Cocos (Keeling) Islandsabout 24 times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Colombiaslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Comorosslightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
Congo, Democratic Republic of the slightly less than one-fourth the size of the US
Congo, Republic of theslightly smaller than Montana
Cook Islands1.3 times the size of Washington, DC
Coral Sea IslandsNA
Costa Ricaslightly smaller than West Virginia
Cote d'Ivoireslightly larger than New Mexico
Croatiaslightly smaller than West Virginia
Cubaslightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Cyprusabout 0.6 times the size of Connecticut
Czech Republicslightly smaller than South Carolina
Denmarkslightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Dhekeliaabout three-quarters the size of Washington, DC
Djiboutislightly smaller than Massachusetts
Dominicaslightly more than four times the size of Washington, DC
Dominican Republicslightly more than twice the size of New Hampshire
East Timorslightly larger than Connecticut
Ecuadorslightly smaller than Nevada
Egyptslightly more than three times the size of New Mexico
El Salvadorslightly smaller than Massachusetts
Equatorial Guineaslightly smaller than Maryland
Eritreaslightly larger than Pennsylvania
Estoniaslightly smaller than New Hampshire and Vermont combined
Ethiopiaslightly less than twice the size of Texas
Europa Islandabout 0.16 times the size of Washington, DC
European Unionless than one-half the size of the US
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)slightly smaller than Connecticut
Faroe Islandseight times the size of Washington, DC
Fijislightly smaller than New Jersey
Finlandslightly smaller than Montana
Franceslightly less than twice the size of Colorado
French Guianaslightly smaller than Indiana
French Polynesiaslightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut
French Southern and Antarctic Lands slightly less than 1.3 times the size of Delaware
Gabonslightly smaller than Colorado
Gambia, Theslightly less than twice the size of Delaware
Gaza Stripslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Georgiaslightly smaller than South Carolina
Germanyslightly smaller than Montana
Ghanaslightly smaller than Oregon
Gibraltarabout 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Glorioso Islandsabout eight times the size of The Mall inWashington, DC
Greeceslightly smaller than Alabama
Greenlandslightly more than three times the size of Texas
Grenadatwice the size of Washington, DC
Guadeloupe10 times the size of Washington, DC