Geographic coordinates: 19 30 N, 80 30 W

Location: Caribbean, island group in Caribbean Sea, nearly one-half of the way from Cuba to Honduras

Area:
total: 260 sq km
land: 260 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 160 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 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: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 8%
forests and woodland: 23%
other: 69% (1993 est.)

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 catchment

Environment international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography note: important location between Cuba and Central America

© CIA 1999