Cuba Geography
LocationCaribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, 150 km south of Key West, Florida
Geographic coordinates
21 30 N, 80 00 W
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
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 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, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land
Land use
arable land: 33.05%
permanent crops: 7.6%
other: 59.35% (2001)
Irrigated land
870 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
Environment - current issues
air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation
Environment - international agreements
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Geography - note
largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles
