The distribution of landmines on the map is in uneven clusters. An example of clusters is in South America where the majority is not affected, the exception being the western side of the continent (Chile, Colombia and Ecuador). Another example of clusters is in the Middle East (Afghanistan and Iran) the exception being Pakistan.
The distribution of landmine casualties is in uneven clusters. An example of one of these clusters is in South East Asia (Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma and Lao PDR). Another example being the Middle East (Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan).
The difference between South America and Africa is that there are a lot more landmines in total in Africa than in South America. There are also a lot more casualties in Africa than in South America.
These differences exist because there is more conflict going on in Africa then there is in South America.
Two continents that did not produce landmines in 1997 were Australia and Antarctica.
The conflicts that mines were used in that were manufactured in the USA were Iraq, Afghanistan, Singapore, Angola and Vietnam.
Continent
Number of countries producing landmines 1997
Europe
12
North America
2
Asia
6
Africa
3
Continent
Number of countries experiencing landmines 1997
Europe
1
North America
0
Asia
4
Africa
2
The countries that produce and supply landmines are not the countries that are being affected by landmines.
Although the Ottawa Treaty negotiated the banning of landmines, not every country signed on. The countries that did not sign on to the treaty are the countries that produce and supply most of the landmines. This means that the treaty doesn’t really make a difference.