Geography of Cuba
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: | Central America and the Caribbean |
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 remains part of Cuba |
Coastline: | 3,735 km |
Maritime claims: | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 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: 27.63% permanent crops: 6.54% other: 65.83% (2005) |
Irrigated land: | 8,700 sq km (2003) |
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 |
Geography - note: | largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles |