| Location: |
Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Geographic coordinates: |
14 40 N, 61 00 W |
| Map references: |
Central America and the Caribbean |
| Area: |
total: 1,100 sq km
water: 40 sq km
land: 1,060 sq km |
| Area - comparative: |
slightly more than six times the size of Washington, DC |
| Land boundaries: |
0 km |
| Coastline: |
350 km |
| Maritime claims: |
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate: |
tropical; moderated by trade winds; rainy season (June to October); vulnerable to devastating cyclones (hurricanes) every eight years on average; average temperature 17.3 degrees C; humid |
| Terrain: |
mountainous with indented coastline; dormant volcano |
| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Montagne Pelee 1,397 m |
| Natural resources: |
coastal scenery and beaches, cultivable land |
| Land use: |
arable land: 10.38%
permanent crops: 9.43%
other: 80.19% (2001) |
| Irrigated land: |
30 sq km (1998 est.) |
| Natural hazards: |
hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) |
| Environment - current issues: |
NA |
| Geography - note: |
the island is dominated by Mount Pelee, which on 8 May 1902 erupted and completely destroyed the city of Saint Pierre, killing 30,000 inhabitants |
