Geography of Cuba
|
|
Cu-map.png
ESA-Cuba_MER_FR_1P_Orbit_05218_20030228.jpg
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
Geographic coordinates:
Template:Coor dm
<p>Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
<p>Area:
total:
110,860 km²
land:
110,860 km²
water:
0 km²
<p>Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
<p>Land boundaries:
total:
29 km
border countries:
US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km (leased by the US and thus remaining part of Cuba)
<p>Coastline:
3,735 km
<p>Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nautical miles
territorial sea:
12 nautical miles
<p>Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
<p>Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast
<p>Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Pico Turquino 2,005 m
<p>Natural resources:
cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land
<p>Land use:
arable land:
33.05%
permanent crops:
7.6%
permanent pastures:
27%
other:
59.35% (2001 est.)
<p>Irrigated land:
870 sq. km (1998 est.)
<p>Natural hazards:
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
<p>Environment - current issues:
pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation
<p>Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:
Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
<p>Geography - note:
largest country in Caribbean.