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Geographic
coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
Location: Caribbean,
island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean,
south of Florida
Area:
total: 110,860 sq
km
land: 110,860 sq km
water: 0 sq km
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 the
southeast
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, 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,
Marine Life Conservation
Geography note:
largest country in Caribbean
©
CIA 1999
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