Cuba Geography 1997

Location Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,south of 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 thus remains part of Cuba

Coastline 3,735 km

Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 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 thesoutheast

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point : Pico Turquino 2,005 m

Natural resources cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese, salt, timber, silica, petroleum

Land use
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures : 27%
forests and woodland: 24%
other: 18% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land 9,100 sq km (1993 est.)

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

Environment - current issues pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations;deforestation

Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping,Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Desertification, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note largest country in Caribbean

NOTE: The information regarding Cuba on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Cuba Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Cuba Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.