Cuba Geography:
Location:
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Geographic coordinates:
21 30 N, 80 00 W
Map references:
Area:
total:
110,860 sq km
land:
110,860 sq km
water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land boundaries:
total: 29 km
border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus remains part of Cuba
Coastline:
3,735 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
Terrain:
Mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural resources:
Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 33.05%
permanent crops: 7.6%
other: 59.35%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
870 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
The east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
Environment - current issues:
Air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
Largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles |
