Short facts about the geography of Cuba

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 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, arable land

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:

largest country in Caribbean

Source: World Factbook