
Cuba Geography
Cuba Geography: A summary of information about Cuba Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Cuba: Geography
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