| Location |
Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti |
| Geographic coordinates |
21 45 N, 71 35 W |
| Map references |
central_america |
| Area |
total: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 430 sq km |
| Area comparative |
2.5 times the size of Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries |
0 km |
| Coastline |
389 km |
| Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
| Climate |
tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry |
| Terrain |
low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps |
| Elevation extremes |
lowest point: caribbean sea 0 m
highest point: blue hills 49 m |
| Natural resources |
spiny lobster, conch |
| Land use |
arable land: 2.33%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.67% (2001) |
| Irrigated land |
NA sq km |
| Natural hazards |
frequent hurricanes |
| Environment - current issues |
limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater |
| Environment - international agreements |
|
| Geography note |
about 40 islands (eight inhabited) |