| Location |
Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras |
| Geographic coordinates |
19 30 N, 80 30 W |
| Map references |
central_america |
| Area |
total: 262 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 262 sq km |
| Area comparative |
1.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries |
0 km |
| Coastline |
160 km |
| Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
| Climate |
tropical marine; warm, rainy summers (May to October) and cool, relatively dry winters (November to April) |
| Terrain |
low-lying limestone base surrounded by coral reefs |
| Elevation extremes |
lowest point: caribbean sea 0 m
highest point: the bluff 43 m |
| Natural resources |
fish, climate and beaches that foster tourism |
| Land use |
arable land: 3.85%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 96.15% (2001) |
| Irrigated land |
NA sq km |
| Natural hazards |
hurricanes (July to November) |
| Environment - current issues |
no natural fresh water resources; drinking water supplies must be met by rainwater catchments |
| Environment - international agreements |
|
| Geography note |
important location between Cuba and Central America |