Location: |
Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida
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Geographic coordinates: |
24 15 N, 76 00 W
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Map references: |
Central America and the Caribbean
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Area: |
total:
13,940 sq km
land:
10,070 sq km
water:
3,870 sq km
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Area - comparative: |
slightly smaller than Connecticut
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Maritime claims: |
continental shelf:
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM
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Climate: |
tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream
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Terrain: |
long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Alvernia, on Cat Island 63 m
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Natural resources: |
salt, aragonite, timber, arable land
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Land use: |
arable land:
1%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
32%
other:
67% (1993 est.)
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Natural hazards: |
hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage
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Environment - current issues: |
coral reef decay; solid waste disposal
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Environment - international agreements: |
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note: |
strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain
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