What is a landmine?
There are two categories of landmines: anti-personnel and anti-tank. The anti-personnel landmine is a small container of explosive material with a detonating system triggered by less than a pound of pressure from a person or a vehicle. They are generally plastic, waterproof, weigh less than one pound, and cost less then $3 each. They come in more than 600 varieties and can remain active for decades. Landmines are usually buried a few inches beneath the surface of the earth and are designed to maim and incapacitate. In December 1997, the Mine Ban Treaty was declared in Ottawa, Canada. This treaty has been signed by 142 nations, 122 of which have also ratified the treaty; it is now binding international law. The United States is among the few countries that have not yet signed this treaty.
