| 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 and the Caribbean |
| Area: |
total: 430 sq km
land: 430 sq km
water: 0 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% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: |
NA |
| Natural hazards: |
frequent hurricanes |
| Environment - current issues: |
limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater |
| Geography - note: |
about 40 islands (eight inhabited) |
